Is it safe to buy abortion pills online?
It is generally not safe to buy abortion pills online for the purpose of ending a pregnancy.
If you’ve recently found out you are unexpectedly pregnant, purchasing the abortion pill online may seem like a simple way to take care of things. But you need to be careful and put your own health and safety first.
3 reasons it’s not safe to buy abortion pills online
1. There is no way to know exactly what you are getting.
The pills could be fake. Many online distributors of abortion pills are located overseas and are not regulated for safety or effectiveness.
In the United States, all medications are FDA-approved, prescribed by a doctor, and distributed by a pharmacy. Each of these safeguards are in place for a reason.
This is a statement the FDA has on its website about buying abortion pills online:
The FDA does not recommend purchasing mifepristone outside of the Mifepristone REMS Program – e.g. buying it online or personally transporting it from a foreign country. If a person does so, they would be bypassing important safeguards specifically designed to protect their health.
2. There is no way to know exactly who you are buying from online.
When abortion pills are ordered online, there is no option for an in-person visit with a medical professional. It’s very important to be seen by a medical professional for a physical exam, ultrasound, and lab work prior to any abortion procedure.
3. There is no way to know exactly when your order will arrive.
The time it takes for shipping is also a factor when buying abortion pills online. The abortion pill is only used in pregnancies up to 70 days or 10 weeks gestation. When purchasing online, shipping can take anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks, which may arrive after the 70-day gestation point.
Why do I need an ultrasound before buying abortion pills online?
Before buying abortion pills online, you need answers to three questions about your pregnancy:
- How far along is the pregnancy?
- Is the pregnancy growing in the uterus?
- Is the pregnancy viable (does it have a heartbeat)?
An ultrasound with a licensed medical professional can answer each of these questions. Jewel Women’s Center cares about women and their health which is why we provide ultrasound appointments at no cost.
- An ultrasound can determine if the pregnancy is growing in the uterus or if it is ectopic which means growing in the wrong place. If not diagnosed, an ectopic pregnancy will result in a medical emergency and may need surgical intervention.
A medical procedure to end an ectopic pregnancy is not considered an abortion because the pregnancy is not able to survive and the pregnant woman’s life is at risk. If you think you have an ectopic pregnancy please visit your OB/GYN or the emergency room.
- Viability is also determined with ultrasound. If the pregnancy has not formed normally or there is no evidence of a heartbeat this is called a miscarriage. In this case, an abortion is not needed.
How does the abortion pill work?
The abortion pill consists of two different medicines, each to be used in a certain way. The first pill is Mifepristone and the second, Misoprostol, is taken 48 hours later.
The first pill works by blocking a hormone called progesterone which is needed to keep the pregnancy growing. The second pill induces contractions and cramping to expel the pregnancy from the uterus.
Are there any risks or side effects of taking the abortion pill?
The most common side effect of the second pill – Misoprostol – is severe bleeding. The risks and side effects of taking the abortion pill include:
- incomplete abortion requiring a surgical abortion to complete the termination (this comes with risks and side effects of the surgical abortion)
- hemorrhaging (failure to stop bleeding), cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and infection.
Get answers to your questions before buying the abortion pill
Jewel Women’s Center cares about women and their health. Contact Jewel today to schedule a medical appointment and get answers to important questions before buying abortion pills online.