Before choosing abortion for your unexpected pregnancy, you must protect your health and safety by talking with a healthcare provider. You should understand the abortion pill method, side effects, and possible risks. There are limitations as to when you can have an at-home abortion, so get as much information as possible beforehand.
How Does the Abortion Pill Method Work?
The abortion pill method is a medical or chemical abortion because it uses two drugs to terminate a pregnancy. When you consider having an online abortion or an at-home abortion, these drugs are the ones you use.
The first drug, mifepristone, begins the abortion by blocking progesterone, a much-needed hormone, from reaching the pregnancy. Without this hormone, the pregnancy cannot survive. The second drug, misoprostol, causes contractions and bleeding to expel the pregnancy from your body.
In addition to bleeding and cramping, the Mayo Clinic lists the following as potential side effects:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
Is It Safe to Have an At-Home Abortion?
Having an at-home abortion requires you to have much-needed information first. For instance, do you know exactly how far along you are in your pregnancy? Very few women track their periods closely, and many online period trackers are known to be incorrect. The day you actually became pregnant can vary greatly.
According to the FDA, the abortion pill method should only be used through ten weeks gestation (70 days or less since the first day of a patient’s last menstrual period). The Mayo Clinic recommends no later than nine weeks. The number of weeks is vital information.
In addition, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) estimates as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. It is possible to get a positive pregnancy test result days or even weeks after you have miscarried. Why order and pay for the abortion pill if you have miscarried?
Is It Safe to Order the Abortion Pill Online?
The FDA website states, “FDA Does Not Recommend Buying Mifepristone Online.” Why would
the FDA recommend against it? Your online pharmacy may be unsafe if:
- Ordering online does not require a doctor’s prescription
- It is not licensed in the United States and by your state board of pharmacy
- Does not have a licensed pharmacist on staff to answer your questions
- Sends medicine that looks different than what you receive at your local pharmacy or arrives in packaging that is broken, damaged, in a foreign language, has no expiration date, or is expired
- Offers deep discounts or prices that seem too good to be true
- Charges you for products you never ordered or received
What Should I Do?
As you can see, purchasing the abortion pill online or having an at-home abortion is not safe. You need more information. The Mayo Clinic states the potential risks of a medical abortion include:
- An incomplete abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
Be prepared. Schedule an appointment at Boston Center for Pregnancy Choices. We can provide you with a free pregnancy test and ultrasound referral. Ultrasound determines how far along your pregnancy is and provides other essential information.
We want you to stay safe. Contact us today.
