Is An Online Abortion or At-Home Abortion Safe?

With the removal of Roe vs. Wade, women living in states that have banned elective abortions may begin looking at ordering an abortion online.

At-home abortions are convenient and discreet, but are they really safe and effective? Understanding how an at-home abortion works and how online abortions are sold can give you some confidence when deciding if this type of pregnancy termination is right for you.

What Is Abortion?

An at-home abortion and the abortion pill are the same. The abortion pill uses the drugs mifepristone and misoprostol to terminate pregnancies up to 10 weeks gestation.

Ordering the abortion pill online can protect a woman’s privacy, but it also comes with certain risks.

Risks To Consider

The abortion pill causes abdominal cramping and bleeding, but some women may also experience severe complications. Severe complications are rare but can include:

• An incomplete abortion
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection or sepsis
• Fever
• Digestive system discomfort

FDA Regulations And Guidelines

The FDA approved the abortion pill in 2000, but with certain regulations and guidelines.

When you order the abortion pill online, you cannot be sure of where the medication is sourced. Without proper sourcing, abortion medication can be ineffective or, worse, can cause severe reactions when taken.

As of today, the FDA recommends the abortion pill only be taken under the supervision of a licensed prescriber. These guidelines are set in place to protect women’s reproductive and physical health.

The Benefits of Personalized Care

If you’re not quite sure how far along your pregnancy is, an ultrasound will be able to evaluate your progress and give you an exact date. This ensures you’re still eligible for the abortion pill and aren’t at risk for an incomplete abortion.

Additionally, having an ultrasound before scheduling an abortion can uncover certain pregnancy complications, such as an ectopic pregnancy. The abortion pill is not effective in terminating ectopic pregnancies.

Making A Confident Decision

Facing an unexpected pregnancy can be scary. It’s important to explore all your options in order to make an informed decision about your future.

Mendo Lake Women’s Clinic provides no-cost pregnancy, ultrasound, and sexual health services to women in need. If you’re currently considering an abortion, the best next step is to schedule an ultrasound before booking the procedure.

Simply call 707-463-1436 and speak with one of our medically trained staff members to confirm your appointment. Get the answers you need to safeguard your future health and happiness.