Abortion Pills by Mail…Yes or No??

Ordering abortion pills by mail has become more common in recent years. Maybe you think it is the easiest option, the fastest, or the most inexpensive and confidential way to end your pregnancy?  You should know that there are some risks with abortion by mail that may have an impact on your decision about taking these pills. Is it really the best option for you? Let’s check out a couple of things.

Is an abortion pill really your best option?

What is abortion by mail?

Abortion by mail is a chemical abortion procedure that is available to be mailed to you instead of picked up from your doctor or pharmacy. Chemical abortion is a form of abortion that functions primarily in two steps – first, it uses a series of pills to end a pregnancy and secondly, it then causes contractions to expel it from the uterus.

Do I need to see a doctor before ordering abortion pills?

The FDA removed the two visit requirement from the chemical abortion procedure during covid when many face-to-face interactions became available virtually. However, there are several reasons why it is still safer and in the best interest of your health for you to verify a few things with a doctor beforehand.

Some of the related health concerns below can be addressed by receiving an ultrasound before starting with the chemical abortion. We can provide you with a limited ultrasound scan here at the Pregnancy Care Clinic, free of charge.

1. You need to be certain that you are not currently experiencing an early miscarriage prior to beginning a chemical abortion. Even if you had a positive pregnancy test, you may be about to have a miscarriage. In this case, an abortion would be another stress on your body when you no longer have a decision to make about this pregnancy.
2. It is also important to rule out an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy growing in your fallopian tube) before taking abortion pills, as ectopic symptoms may be mistaken for the chemical abortion pill side effects. An ectopic pregnancy needs medical intervention and can lead to a life threatening medical emergency if ignored.
3. An ultrasound is required for accurate dating of the pregnancy. Many women may not ovulate on the 14th day of their cycle, which means that the calculations used to estimate how far along you are would not be totally accurate. You may actually be further along than the FDA has approved for chemical abortion.
4. There may be serious complications following the abortion pill procedure. These complications may include hemorrhaging, infection if the abortion is incomplete, and other health concerns that may require medical intervention. The process of induced abortion typically brings on cramping which can be severe, bleeding, nausea, diarrhea, chills, fever and the bleeding can last up to a month. Therefore, follow-up care by a medical professional is essential.

Can I change my mind about abortion at any point?

Maybe you’ve had second thoughts after taking the first pill. You can change your mind about the abortion within 72 hours of taking the first pill. The first pill, mifepristone, blocks your progesterone receptors. The hormone progesterone is vital to maintaining a pregnancy. The abortion can potentially be reversed within the first 72 hours with Abortion Pill Reversal (APR). APR provides you with progesterone to counteract the mifepristone and allows the pregnancy to continue. The Pregnancy Care Clinic can provide you (free of charge) with the reversal medications that may save your pregnancy.

Before you make that decision, we can help!

The best thing to do before spending money and resources to obtain abortion pills is to have an ultrasound to rule out any already-present complications, as well as determine fetal viability. We offer many services including lab quality pregnancy tests and diagnostic ultrasounds. Always confirm a positive home pregnancy test with one of our tests.  All of our services are confidential, completely free, and are available to anyone.  Our registered nurses and trained staff are here to give you help that is compassionate and educational so that you can make an informed decision. Don’t go through this alone…..let us help you sort out the facts and feelings you may be having.

Schedule an appointment with us online at our website or call us at 618-548-3111

References

“Ectopic Pregnancy.” Mayo Clinic, March 12, 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088.

“Mifepristone (Oral Route) Side Effects.” Mayo Clinic, October 1, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/mifepristone-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20067123?p=1.