An unplanned pregnancy often sparks feelings of panic, fear, and anxiety. Florida’s Heartbeat Protection Act also adds time pressure. Overwhelmed by these emotions, you might be considering buying abortion pills online.
If you are thinking about this option, you need to be fully informed about everything involved with this choice. In this blog, we’ll answer one of the most important questions: What are the risks of ordering the abortion pill online?
Keep reading to learn how to protect your health and make the best choice for your future.
What is the abortion pill?
The abortion pill regimen includes two medications, mifepristone (mife) and misoprostol (miso). Mifepristone, which ends the pregnancy, is taken first. The woman then takes the dose of miso about 24-48 hours later to push the embryo and pregnancy tissue out of her uterus.
The FDA has only approved the use of the abortion pill through the first 10 weeks (70 days) of pregnancy. It notes that the proper dosage is 200 mg of mife followed by 800 mcg of miso.
Online vendors aren’t certified and aren’t required to guarantee your safety when offering these medications.
What are the risks of ordering the abortion pill online?
1. You don’t know what you’re getting
In recent years, several organizations have started offering the abortion pill online. Though these sources claim that their pills are safe, the FDA doesn’t agree. It warns that these medications bypass important safety standards and may risk your health.
Abortion pills purchased online haven’t been checked for safety, quality, or effectiveness by the FDA. They often come from foreign sources that don’t follow the same safety standards. Worse, you may not know where the medication comes from, or if the pills you receive are even the ones you ordered.
For your health and safety, the FDA recommends that you only get this medication from a certified healthcare provider.
2. You may be at risk for serious complications
The abortion pill can cause several severe side effects, including some that can become life-threatening.
Some women experience a failed abortion or incomplete abortion, where the abortion pill ends the pregnancy, but fails to remove all of the tissue from the uterus. This retained tissue can cause a serious infection. If you don’t receive treatment, the infection may threaten your life. The abortion pill may also fail to end your pregnancy. You will then choose to either continue the pregnancy or have another abortion procedure.
Ectopic pregnancy is another risk. Some pregnancies implant outside of the uterus, often in the fallopian tube. Abortion pills will end the pregnancy, but won’t remove the tissue. Without treatment, you may develop a life-threatening infection. An ectopic pregnancy may also rupture, which can cause internal bleeding that requires immediate treatment.
The FDA has only approved the use of the abortion pill through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy because the risk of complications increases with the age of the pregnancy. Despite what online abortion pill sellers say, taking a higher dose of medication is not safe or a reliable way to end an older pregnancy.
Before taking these medications, you must get an ultrasound to measure your gestational age and check for an ectopic pregnancy.
3. You won’t have medical support
Common abortion pill side effects include heavy bleeding, cramping, nausea, seizures, and more. You can also suffer from more severe complications, including hemorrhaging and infections. Signs of an ectopic pregnancy are easily confused with normal side effects as well. Without medical care, you may not get the treatment you need until your life is in danger.
Additionally, getting the abortion pill without a doctor increases the risk of developing complications. You will have to rely on the emergency room for care and won’t have a doctor to reach out to with questions.
What should I do next?
If you are pregnant and considering taking the abortion pill, an ultrasound is the best next step.
At Assured Women’s Healthcare, you can take a free pregnancy test to see if you qualify for a free ultrasound. We will measure your gestational age, check your pregnancy’s viability, and look for signs that you need further care. During your free appointment, you can also get information about all your pregnancy options so you feel confident about your decision.
Don’t put your health and safety at risk. Get the answers you need today.