If you are facing an unexpected pregnancy, ordering the abortion pill online, also known as a medical abortion, and taking it at home may sound simple and private.
But mail-order abortion is risky, and skipping an in-person visit means giving up the safeguards that are meant to protect your health.
Before you take that step, it helps to understand what a healthcare provider checks for and why those details matter.
Keep reading to learn more and contact Chester County Connect Care to schedule a free and confidential pregnancy evaluation.
Why the Source of the Pill Matters
The FDA cautions against buying abortion pills sold online, as they are often unregulated.
Without this proper regulation and oversight, the FDA has warned that you cannot confirm the product you are getting is not fake, expired, or the wrong dosage.
Three Things That Should Be Confirmed First
An evaluation before a medical abortion is not a formality. It is the part of the process that tells you whether the abortion pill is even an option for you.
Through the use of an ultrasound scan, medical personnel look at three details of your pregnancy to determine if you are eligible for a medical abortion.
Age of Pregnancy
According to the FDA, the abortion pill is only authorized through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. Taking it after that point raises the risk of incomplete abortion, heavy bleeding, and the need for a follow-up procedure.
An ultrasound will determine the age of your pregnancy with accuracy, while trying to determine the age of a pregnancy by using the time of your last period can lead you to be off by a week or more.
Viability of Pregnancy
A positive test cannot tell you if a pregnancy is ongoing. The Mayo Clinic notes that 10 to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage.
Using an ultrasound scan, a medical provider can determine if a miscarriage is already underway, making a medical abortion unnecessary.
Location of Pregnancy
The abortion pill cannot treat an ectopic pregnancy, which develops outside the uterus and is a medical emergency.
Taking the abortion pill without confirming the location of your pregnancy with an ultrasound scan can hide the warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy, putting your life at risk.
Your Health History Counts Too
Certain pre-existing medical conditions and medications can make the abortion pill unsafe for you specifically.
A medical provider reviews this history before anything else. Ordering the pill online skips that conversation and can put you at further risk.
Get the Facts at Chester County Connect Care
Before you make any decision, connect with the information that protects your health.
Chester County Connect Care offers no-cost, lab-quality pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, and confidential options consultations with caring staff.
We do not judge. We are here to help you understand where things stand and what your options are.
Contact us today to schedule your no-cost, confidential appointment. You deserve to make an informed decision.
Chester County Connect Care does not provide or refer for abortions.