If you just found out you might be unexpectedly pregnant, a lot is probably going through your mind. The abortion pill may seem like an easy solution to all your fears. However, before you make your decision, you deserve to know the facts and the risks to protect your health.
Get information on all your options – including any risks or side effects you need to know about each. You are not alone; we’re here to help you navigate your decision.
Is the Abortion Pill Available by Mail?
The FDA has revised its original policy on the abortion pill in recent years, allowing certain certified prescribers or pharmacies to dispense the abortion pill by mail during the COVID-19 pandemic and following. This is an expansion to previous advisories that required the abortion pill to be distributed only in-clinic by a medical professional.
It is worth noting that the FDA still advises the general public of the dangers of ordering medications over the internet, due to the potential for fraud, variations in medication dosages or ingredients, or disreputable distributors.
What Does This Mean for Me?
While it may be possible for you to obtain the abortion pill by mail, there are several risk factors you should be aware of first. Although this method seems convenient, it is still a life-changing medication with associated side effects, risks, and restrictions for patients with certain health conditions.
Both before the mail rule change and after, the FDA only approves the abortion pill for use in early pregnancies, up to 70 days or less since a woman’s last menstrual period. In plain English, this typically means no later than 10 weeks gestation. Taking the abortion pill for pregnancies later than 10 weeks could result in complications such as incomplete abortion or a continued pregnancy.
For this reason, it’s very important you know how far along you are in your pregnancy before making a decision about the abortion pill. The best way to do this is through receiving an ultrasound from a licensed medical professional who can confirm the location of the pregnancy, if there is heartbeat activity, and gestational age. All ultrasound exams are reviewed by our physician who makes the diagnosis of pregnancy.
An ultrasound can also help diagnose complicating medical factors such as ectopic pregnancy (when the pregnancy is not located in the uterus but in the tubes or elsewhere) or miscarriage. If either of these complications are a factor, you would need to seek additional medical attention.
What Other Risks Do I Need to Know?
In addition to getting these important questions answered through an ultrasound, you should also be aware of several potential risks and side effects associated with the abortion pill before making your choice.
The Mayo Clinic states the following as potential risks of the abortion pill:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
It is also not recommended to take the abortion pill if you have an IUD (intrauterine device for contraception), a blood disorder or heart condition, if you take a blood thinner medication, or if you can’t make follow-up visits to your doctor or have access to emergency medical care.
While it may seem simple and easy to order a medication online, you should think through the possibility of experiencing one of these risks or side effects without the help or supervision of a medical professional. To protect your health and safety, you will want to consult with a doctor or nurse on the best medical options for you and your unique situation.
We’re Here for You
In addition to providing free medical services, including an ultrasound that can help you be sure of the facts of your pregnancy situation, our caring and compassionate staff at Dove Medical would be honored to help you navigate your decision-making process.
You deserve the best for your health and future. Make the choice to be informed on all your options and get treatment that is personalized to you. Schedule your free appointment today!
This post is for education and information purposes only and does not substitute the advice of a Healthcare Professional.
Dove Medical offers pregnancy diagnosis, decision coaching, and accurate information about all pregnancy options; however we do not offer or refer for abortion services.