The internet has simplified our lives in more ways than one. Whether it’s having groceries delivered or receiving your Amazon orders in one day, we’re used to the convenience online shopping provides.
However, when it comes to medications like the abortion pill, it’s wise to pause before adding it to your shopping cart.
Here are three things to know if you are considering mail-order abortion.
It Might Be Illegal
The first thing to know is it might be illegal to order the abortion pill online in your state.
The FDA has reversed an earlier decision to allow the abortion pill to be sold online, but states still have the ability to regulate its online sale.
Only a handful of states have legalized mail-order abortion, so be sure to check the laws in your area prior to considering ordering it.
You Don’t Know the Drug Origins
The abortion pill is made up of two very powerful drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.
The FDA has cautioned against ordering the abortion pill online because you don’t always know the origin of the drugs. Different countries may utilize different drugs, or the same drugs in different proportions, and they don’t have to go through the same safety screenings as drugs produced in the United States.
Taking the wrong dosage or at the wrong time can pose serious threats to your health and may result in an incomplete abortion.
You Need Important Pre-Abortion Screenings
The abortion pill is only approved to terminate early pregnancies (within the first 70 days of pregnancy). The abortion pill is also ineffective at ending ectopic pregnancies (located outside the uterus), which need medical care to prevent harm to your health.
To determine how far along you are and where your pregnancy is located, you need to get an ultrasound.
An ultrasound scan generates images of the inside of your uterus. Measurements can then be taken to determine how far along you are.
If the scan doesn’t reveal a typical pregnancy, that’s a good indication the embryo may have implanted somewhere outside the uterus. A different medical procedure will be needed to terminate this non-viable pregnancy.
We offer free and confidential ultrasound appointments so you can get the answers you need before making a decision about the abortion pill.
Contact us to schedule your appointment today. Walk-ins are also welcome.