Ordering the abortion pill online may seem like the simplest way to deal with your unexpected pregnancy. However, while an at-home abortion may sound appealing, the FDA cautions women from ordering the abortion pill online.
Women who have a mail-order abortion bypass safeguards put in place to protect their health–like an ultrasound and an in-person evaluation with a healthcare provider.
Continue reading to learn more about the dangers of at-home abortion and why in-person pre-abortion screenings are vital for the protection of your health.
Warning From the FDA
Due to the lack of regulation, the FDA warns women about purchasing abortion pills advertised online.
Because it can be difficult to confirm the quality, efficacy, and dosage of these drugs, you have no way to know how these pills could impact your health.
The Importance of Ultrasound Scans
Aside from the lack of regulations placed on abortion pills online, most women also forgo a pre-abortion ultrasound scan when having a mail-order abortion.
Ultrasounds are critical because they provide you with vital information about your pregnancy and individual risks, allowing you to make an informed pregnancy decision.
During an ultrasound, viability is determined by the presence of a fetal heartbeat. If there is no heartbeat and you have miscarried, having an abortion would be an unnecessary step.
Ultrasounds also use measurements to calculate the age of your pregnancy, a critical detail when deciding whether to have an abortion.
According to the FDA, women beyond 10 weeks of pregnancy are not eligible for the abortion pill.
Lastly, ultrasounds provide information about where your pregnancy has implanted.
Pregnancies typically implant within the uterine lining, but if they implant in the fallopian tube, ovary, abdomen, or cervix, the pregnancy is called ectopic.
Ectopic pregnancies cannot be treated with the abortion pill and require immediate medical attention to avoid life-threatening complications.
If you choose not to have an ultrasound before having an abortion, you could be missing key pregnancy details and putting your health in jeopardy without even knowing it.
Forgoing Proper Medical Oversight
Another critical piece of a pre-abortion screening is a thorough in-person evaluation with a healthcare provider.
Certain health conditions and lifestyle factors can impact your eligibility and increase your risk for complications.
Having an online abortion without being aware of your unique risks could seriously impact your health.
Get Help Today
Unexpected pregnancies often leave women feeling isolated and afraid, but you should know that you don’t have to walk this journey alone.
Wellspring Pregnancy and Health Center offers free lab-quality pregnancy testing and ultrasounds. After learning more about your pregnancy, our trusted staff can answer your questions and discuss your options.
When considering abortion, our team is here to provide the information you need. We can answer your questions about the procedures, risks, and what options are available to you
Contact us today for your free and confidential appointment.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
