Can I Get An Abortion Pill by Mail?

In the state of Massachusetts, it is legal to get a prescription for the abortion pill without ever stepping foot into a doctor’s office. Unfortunately, this is not the best medical practice.

The best standard in medical care to protect your health and safety is to have a health screening including an ultrasound before taking the abortion pill. This ultrasound is necessary to confirm a woman is under 11 weeks and rule out an ectopic pregnancy. The pill is ineffective in both these cases.

If you are looking to have an abortion, it’s important to research your options so you can make an informed decision with confidence. Read this article for further details about what you can expect if you take the abortion pill.

How Does the Abortion Pill Work?

The “abortion pill” is actually a series of two drugs/pills taken to induce an abortion. The first drug you take is mifepristone, which is an antiprogestin. This prevents your progesterone levels from increasing, which prevents the pregnancy from progressing and ends the life of the fetus.

Then, 24-48 hours later, misoprostol (the second drug) is taken. This second pill will force your uterus to contract inducing labor which expels the fetus from the uterus.

Does the Abortion Pill Have Side Effects?

The level of discomfort varies from person to person, but the first pill you take will produce cramping and vaginal bleeding. According to the Mayo Clinic, the medications of a medical abortion may also cause:

Nausea
Vomiting
Fever
Chills
Diarrhea
Headache
Bleeding for 2-4 weeks after the procedure

How Do I Know if I’m Eligible for an Abortion?

There are pre-existing conditions to be aware of that could disqualify you from a medical abortion:

An intrauterine device (IUD)
Allergies to the medications used in the medical abortion
Heart, blood vessel, liver, kidney, or lung diseases
Ectopic pregnancy
Use of blood thinners or steroid medications too far along in the pregnancy

Testing positive for an STD can also disqualify you for an abortion. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is the most common complication after an abortion and your chances of getting infected increase significantly if you have an untreated STD, so make sure you get tested to protect your health and safety.

What are the Risks?

Other potential risks to be aware of that can occur as a result of a medical abortion are:

Incomplete abortion
Heavy and prolonged bleeding, hemorrhaging (soaking two pads in one hour)
Infection
Fever
Digestive system discomfort
Allergic reaction to the medications
An abortion with untreated STI can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Are there Risks to Ordering the Abortion Pill by Mail?

While it is possible to order the abortion pill by mail, know there are risks associated with this pill just as with any other medication.

It’s very important to trust the source of the drugs, make sure they are manufactured according to FDA standards, and to have a plan in place in case of negative reactions to the medication.

It’s essential to know how far along you are in your pregnancy and to rule out an ectopic pregnancy. The abortion pill is ineffective with ectopic pregnancies and beyond 11 weeks. In Massachusetts, the abortion pill has been approved through the first 77 days of pregnancy only. An ultrasound is the most accurate and only way to rule out an ectopic pregnancy and can accurately determine the exact gestational age of the fetus.

Schedule an Ultrasound

If you are considering a medical abortion, it’s very important to know the gestational age of your pregnancy as well as eliminate the possibility of complications from an ectopic pregnancy.

We offer no-cost ultrasounds that will give you this information as well as confirm the viability of the pregnancy (confirm if the pregnancy is likely to continue).

We also offer no-cost telehealth appointments so you can get the answers you need before making this medical decision.