When you are facing an unexpected pregnancy, ordering the abortion pill through the mail can feel like the simplest and most private path forward.
The pills arrive at your door, and you never have to leave home.
But mail-order abortion also removes the medical safeguards that exist to protect your health, and there are a few important things to understand before you decide.
Keep reading to learn more, and reach out to PCS Health for no-cost pregnancy resources, such as pregnancy test confirmation and ultrasound scans, to get the important details you need.
1. The Pills May Not Be What They Claim to Be
When you order abortion pills online, there is often no way to confirm what you are actually receiving.
The FDA warns against purchasing mifepristone from websites outside the regulated supply chain, because these drugs may be counterfeit, expired, or incorrectly dosed.
Without a licensed pharmacy and a prescription, you cannot be sure of the quality, strength, or safety of what you are putting into your body.
2. You Cannot Confirm the Details of Your Pregnancy at Home
A positive test tells you that you are pregnant, but it does not tell you how far along you are or where the pregnancy is located. Both matter for your safety.
The FDA also advises that the abortion pill be used only through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, and taking it later can raise your risk of serious complications. An ultrasound is the only way to accurately date your pregnancy.
An ultrasound also confirms that the pregnancy is growing inside the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy, which implants outside the uterus, will not be resolved by the abortion pill and requires emergency medical care. Ordering pills through the mail skips this step entirely.
3. You Take On Real Physical Risks Alone
A medical abortion is not without side effects, and mail-order abortion means facing them without a provider nearby. According to the Mayo Clinic, possible risks include incomplete abortion that may require a surgical procedure, heavy and prolonged bleeding, infection, fever, digestive upset, and cramping.
An ongoing pregnancy is also possible if the pills do not work.
Certain pre-existing health conditions and medications can make these risks greater or even make you ineligible for a medical abortion, and without a medical evaluation, you may not know you are affected.
You Deserve Real Care
You do not have to sort through this alone. PCS Health is here to give you clear, confidential information so you can protect your health and make the decision that is right for you.
We offer free pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds to confirm how far along you are and where the pregnancy is located, and caring staff who can talk through your questions and options.
Contact us today to schedule your free and confidential appointment.
PCS Health does not provide or refer for abortions.