When you hear someone talking about an online or at-home abortion, they are referring to the abortion pill method. This type of abortion uses drugs to terminate a pregnancy. 

There are physical and emotional risks of using abortion drugs that you should be aware of beforehand. Here are a few reasons why you should avoid an online or at-home abortion.

Are the Abortion Drugs I Order Online Safe?

The abortion pill method uses two drugs to terminate a pregnancy. The FDA highly regulates the first drug, mifepristone. Only a certified prescriber can issue the drug. 

The FDA does not recommend buying mifepristone online. Like anything online, you cannot verify if you’re purchasing the advertised product or receiving a fake one. 

Some of the online businesses promoting cheaper abortion drugs are from foreign countries. You don’t know if you’re receiving the correct dosage or if the drug is accurate.

What About Having an Abortion at Home?

An abortion is a serious medical decision. It is not like taking Tylenol for a headache. You will experience bleeding and contraction-like cramping. 

Here are the physical risks the Mayo Clinic lists for using abortion drugs:

• An incomplete abortion, which means the pregnancy ended, but not all of the tissue left your body. This may require a surgical procedure.
• An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work. The FDA warns the drugs are less effective the farther along you are in your pregnancy.
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding.
• Infection can occur, especially if tissue stays in your body.
• Fever.
• Digestive system complications.

What Should I Do Before I Use the Abortion Pill?

There are some limitations to using this abortion method. For instance, can you answer the following questions? If not, you need more information before using the abortion pill.

• Have you had your pregnancy confirmed? A late period and a positive pregnancy test may not be enough information. Experts estimate that 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage. 

Because it takes a woman’s body time to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels, you could get a positive pregnancy test days or weeks after a miscarriage.

• Do you know the exact number of weeks you have been pregnant? The FDA approves the use of mifepristone through 10 weeks of pregnancy only. The farther along you are, the less effective the drugs are.
• Is your pregnancy located in your uterus? Some pregnancies form and grow outside the uterus. This type of pregnancy is known as ectopic and is extremely dangerous. You need to see your healthcare provider, not an abortion provider, if your pregnancy is ectopic.
• Are the drugs used in the abortion pill method compatible with other medications you are currently taking? The Mayo Clinic provides a long list of drugs that you shouldn’t combine with mifepristone.

Did You Know an Ultrasound Can Give You the Answers You Need?

At HopePlace, we provide referrals for a free ultrasound. Don’t skip this vital step. You learn how far along you are, the location of your pregnancy, and if it’s developing or if you have miscarried.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Be aware that some women struggle emotionally from their abortions. If you are home alone, you do not have immediate medical oversight. Make sure you have access to emergency care or your provider at all times.

Let HopePlace help you get the information you need. Before you move forward, you must consider many things. 

Come by or schedule a free and confidential appointment to get the facts about your health and abortion procedures, side effects to expect, and potential risks. 

We’re here for you, ready to listen and answer your questions. When you need help, choose HopePlace.