If you just found out you may be pregnant and are not sure you’re ready, the abortion pill may seem like an easy solution. It is possible that you’ve seen the abortion pill available to order via mail online. Before you take the leap, it’s important that you know all the facts to protect your health and safety.
You deserve the best for your health and your future – why not learn all you can to prioritize you?
What Is The Abortion Pill?
The abortion pill, or RU-486, is actually a two-step process consisting of two medications: Mifeprex (or Mifepristone) and Misoprostol. These medications are typically provided by a clinic or under medical direction. Often, the first dose is taken at a clinic and the second dose is taken hours or days later.
The use of these medications to terminate an early pregnancy is only approved by the FDA for pregnancies up to 10 weeks. For this reason, it is imperative to be sure of how far along you are in your pregnancy.
What Are The Risks of The Abortion Pill?
Regardless of how you obtain the abortion pill, every medication or medical procedure comes with associated risks. The Mayo Clinic quotes the possible risks of the abortion pill as follows:
- 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
What Are The Additional Risks of Ordering The Abortion Pill Online?
As with any online ordering, while you may believe you’re ordering from a reputable source, it’s possible that the convenience is too good to be true. You may also be missing the personalized care specific to your needs that a medical professional could provide.
Here are a few areas of risk associated with ordering the abortion pill online that you should be aware of before making your choice.
Substandard Medication or Ingredients
The FDA cautions individuals from ordering medications online as the potential for substandard ingredients or slight variations in medication from unknown sources can cause serious side effects. Additionally, varied medications could interact with other medications you may be taking and cause unintended results or side effects.
Incomplete Abortion
It’s possible that without seeing a medical professional, your pregnancy may be at a different stage than you realize. This could leave you susceptible to incomplete abortion, as the abortion pill is only effective and approved for early pregnancies. An incomplete abortion could lead to the need for further expensive medical procedures or other complications.
Bypassing Safeguards & Specialized Care
Not every woman should take the abortion pill depending on your individual health history and complicating factors, according to the FDA. In addition, there are certain pregnancy complications that would make you ineligible for the abortion pill.
If your pregnancy is not located in the uterus – otherwise known as an ectopic pregnancy – the abortion pill will not end the pregnancy and you will need immediate professional medical attention. If your pregnancy is not viable and miscarriage may be imminent, taking the abortion pill would put unnecessary stress on your body.
How Can I Determine What’s Best For My Health?
The best way to know for sure your pregnancy options and get all your questions answered is to have an ultrasound. This medical procedure can help you know for certain how far along your pregnancy is and any further complications, putting you and your health first.
At Empower Life Center, we’re here to help you navigate your pregnancy options and equip you to take the path that’s healthiest for you and your future. Schedule your free appointment today to get compassionate, confidential care that’s personalized to you.
