Obtaining the abortion pill online can increase a woman’s risk of complications by skipping safeguards for their protection.
Pre-Abortion Care
While some women may see it as a quick and easy option to terminate their unexpected pregnancy, the abortion pill is a serious medical procedure with risks. To offset these risks, women should ensure their eligibility for the abortion pill by seeking a physical and ultrasound from a medical provider. When a woman purchases an abortion pill online, she is skipping these steps.
During a physical, the provider will obtain a woman’s vitals, like her heart rate and blood pressure. The provider will also ask questions about the woman’s medical history to determine her eligibility for the procedure.
Examples of medical history that might make the abortion pill unsafe include:
Have a blood clotting disorder or significant anemia
Have chronic adrenal failure
Use long-term corticosteroids
Have an intrauterine device (IUD)
Have an allergy to the medications used
A woman should also receive an ultrasound prior to the procedure to determine her pregnancy’s viability, date, and location. This simple test is crucial in prioritizing a woman’s health and safety.
Viability—Confirmation of a viable pregnancy through fetal heartbeat ensures that the woman is not experiencing a miscarriage. Miscarriage occurs in as many as 20% of pregnancies and may not need medical intervention. Confirming viability can only be done through ultrasound, as a woman can continue to receive a positive pregnancy test for weeks following a miscarriage. This step ensures that a woman does not receive an unnecessary abortion.
Date—The abortion pill is only FDA-approved for terminating pregnancies up to 10 weeks. An ultrasound provides an estimated date by measuring the embryo or fetus.
Location—An ultrasound will locate the pregnancy. The abortion pill is ineffective in terminating ectopic pregnancies (pregnancies that grow outside a woman’s uterus). This condition can be life-threatening for the woman and must be addressed immediately to protect her.
FDA Safeguards
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the agency responsible for regulating drugs to protect U.S. citizens, recommends that women not purchase the abortion pill online. Ignoring this recommendation can place women at undue risk.
The FDA has developed a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation program for certain medications that are deemed risky. As a part of this program, the drugs in the abortion pill should only be obtained through approved providers and pharmacies.
The FDA is unable to regulate drugs purchased online. This means that when obtaining the abortion pill online, a consumer cannot be guaranteed the drugs' origin, dose, effectiveness, or even ingredients. Drugs purchased online pose a severe health risk as they may be mislabeled, laced with other drugs, or expired.
Protect Your Health
If you are facing an unexpected pregnancy, don’t skip safety steps and endanger your safety with a hasty decision. Instead, allow Women’s Pregnancy Center to provide essential services like free ultrasounds and evidence-based education so you can make a confident decision. Contact us today for a free appointment.