Some women choose abortion prescription drugs prescribed after only a telehealth consultation. Once they have picked up the medication, they can self-abort at home.
At the time of this article, this process is banned in North Carolina and requires an in-person exam before a medication abortion.
If you are considering traveling out of state for this option, keep reading this article to learn more about the dangers of buying the abortion pill online.
Online Abortions Skip Important Health Screenings
Online abortions lack in-person medical screenings like pregnancy tests or ultrasound exams. These are essential for gathering accurate information about the pregnancy and ensuring appropriate care.
Ultrasounds are especially helpful because they provide information such as:
- Pregnancy Age: Knowing the gestational age is essential for determining eligibility for specific procedures. For instance, the FDA-approved abortion pill is typically recommended for pregnancies up to 10 weeks.
- Pregnancy status: Confirming the viability influences the available treatment options, particularly in cases of a potential miscarriage.
- Pregnancy Location: The location of the pregnancy can reveal complications, like ectopic pregnancies if the pregnancy is outside the uterus.
Are There Other Risks to Online Abortion?
There are other risks to consider before pursuing other options. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are certain situations in which you should not seek an online medication abortion:
- If you are later than nine weeks into your pregnancy
- If you have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place
- If you have certain medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders, certain heart or blood vessel diseases, etc.
- If you take a blood thinner or certain steroid medications
- If you don’t have access to emergency care
If you do not have any of these pre-existing conditions, potential risks of medical abortion include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
What are My Options?
Hope First offers no-cost appointments where you can get free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and STI tests. We also provide a confidential and pressure-free environment for you to ask questions, get answers about your pregnancy, and connect you to local resources.
Regardless of your pregnancy path, we are here to support, equip, and encourage you. You are not alone! Contact us today to schedule your appointment.