Having an abortion, whether through drugs or with surgery, is a serious medical decision. Like other medical procedures, there are steps you should take first.
If you discover you are unexpectedly pregnant and decide to order abortion pills online without consulting your healthcare provider, you are putting your health at risk. Get the facts first.
What Is the Abortion Pill Method?
To terminate a pregnancy with the abortion pill method, you typically use two drugs. The first drug, mifepristone, is highly regulated. It blocks the hormone progesterone. Without progesterone, a pregnancy cannot survive.
Misoprostol, the second drug, causes cramps and other symptoms to expel the pregnancy from your body through the vagina. This form of abortion is approved only through 10 weeks of pregnancy (70 days from the first day of your last menstrual period).
Is it Safe to Order the Abortion Pill Online?
It’s frustrating to order groceries online and receive the wrong items. But different groceries won’t put your health at risk. Ordering drugs online is entirely different. You have the potential for serious health risks.
When browsing the internet to purchase abortion pill drugs, you’ll find many sites offering cheaper prices and faster delivery. Beware. If the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved them; you could receive drugs not tested for safety, quality, and effectiveness.
One of the main risks of the abortion pill is an incomplete abortion, which can lead to a serious infection. The later you are in your pregnancy, the less effective the drugs are. You need more information before you access this method.
What do I Need to Know Before Using the Abortion Pill?
It is imperative to know the number of weeks you have been pregnant before ordering the abortion pill. The best way to learn how far along you are is with ultrasound.
Determining exactly when you became pregnant can be tricky. Many women discover they are farther along than they initially thought.
You also need to know if your pregnancy is viable. A viable pregnancy is developing with a detectable heartbeat. Experts report that as many as 26% of pregnancies might end in a natural miscarriage. There’s no need to order the abortion pill if you have already miscarried.
In rare instances, a pregnancy forms outside the uterus. This is known as an ectopic pregnancy and can be very dangerous. Taking the abortion pill does not terminate an ectopic pregnancy.
How Can Next Step Assist Me?
Contact a Next Step team member to set up an appointment. Fill out our online contact form or call 814-226-7007. Although we do not provide or refer for abortion, we can provide information about the procedures, side effects, and potential risks.
We can also discuss what other services are available to you. Let us know how we can help you take the next step.