While some women with unexpected pregnancies may feel mail-order abortion is a convenient option, they should be aware of the dangers associated with this choice.
Any medications provided without proper medical oversight can pose risks to your health. While we do not perform or refer for abortions, Mosaic Sexual Health Clinic cares about your well-being and provides accurate information on your pregnancy options so that you can make an informed choice.
Continue reading to learn more about mail-order abortion.
1. Receiving drugs from online sources is risky.
When prescribed medication in an office, the provider reviews your health history and completes a physical exam if necessary.
With mail-order abortion, you may have one telehealth appointment before the drugs are shipped to your door. If these drugs come from overseas or unregulated pharmacies, you can’t confirm they’re the correct dosage or the right ones. You also may not receive adequate instructions.
2. You may be ineligible for this abortion procedure.
The FDA has approved medical abortion (the abortion pill) for pregnancies through ten weeks gestation. If you choose mail-order abortion but haven’t received an ultrasound, you won’t know your pregnancy’s gestational age (how far along you are).
Taking abortion drugs past the approved gestational age means you could experience severe risks to your health. Other ineligibility factors include:
- Having a suspected ectopic pregnancy
- Having an IUD (intrauterine device)
- Taking a blood thinner or certain steroid medications
- Having certain health conditions (i.e., heart or kidney disease)
- Having an allergy to the drugs used
- Can’t make follow-up visits or don’t have access to emergency care
An ultrasound is essential before making a pregnancy decision. This scan verifies the viability of the fetus (growing with a detectable heartbeat), gestational age, and location. It can alert providers to medical complications that require further treatment.
As ultrasound isn’t required for the mail-order abortion process, you could be unaware of health conditions excluding you from taking these medications.
3. You could miss signs of complications or a medical emergency.
By receiving options information, you’ll learn about abortion procedures and the signs of complications like infection or incomplete abortion.
As there is little to no medical oversight with mail-order abortion, you may be unaware of concerning symptoms, like heavy bleeding or a worsening fever, until they could potentially become a life-threatening emergency.
Before any pregnancy decision, receiving an ultrasound and options information helps protect your health and guide your choice. Your well-being is the priority.
We’re Here for You
Mosaic Sexual Health Clinic provides free and confidential services like pregnancy tests, limited ultrasounds (that can confirm intrauterine pregnancy and fetal heartbeat), and options information.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment.