What Are the Risks of Ordering an Abortion Pill Online? 

The convenience of ordering the abortion pill online may be appealing, but there are also risks and pre-existing conditions to be aware of that may disqualify you from being eligible for the abortion pill. 

The abortion pill method involves taking two powerful drugs to terminate a pregnancy. Keep reading to learn about some risks associated with ordering it online.

Ordering Online Skips Important Health Screenings

If you schedule a telehealth appointment with your medical provider, they can prescribe the abortion medication, mifepristone, and misoprostol, which you can then pick up at your local pharmacy. 

Although this may seem convenient, it is not the best medical practice to protect your health and safety as it eliminates the benefit of a health screening including an ultrasound. In Massachusetts, the abortion pill is approved only up to 11 weeks (77 days) of pregnancy.

Ultrasound is the best way to confirm that your pregnancy is under 11 weeks gestation. It can also reveal if you have had a miscarriage or if there are miscarriage indicators and can alert you to health risks such as an ectopic pregnancy.

You need to know if you are under 11 weeks pregnant and rule out an ectopic pregnancy as the abortion pill is ineffective in both cases.

You May Not Qualify for the Abortion Pill

According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the following criteria eliminate your ability to use the abortion pill: 

• Your pregnancy is too far along
• You have an intrauterine device (IUD)
• You have a suspected ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy is located outside the uterus)
• You have certain medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders, certain heart or blood vessel diseases, uncontrolled seizures, etc.
• You take a blood thinner or certain steroid medications
• You can’t make follow-up visits to your doctor

Additionally, you may have limited access to emergency care or medical supervision if you have an adverse reaction to the medication taken at home. 

The Abortion Pill Comes with Risks

According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the following are considered risks for medical abortion:

• Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
• An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive system discomfort

Next Steps

If you are not sure how far along you are, or if you want to confirm that your pregnancy is still viable, we offer no-cost ultrasounds at Your Options Medical. You can get the answers you need to move forward with confidence. 

Schedule your appointment today!