If you’ve recently found out you’re pregnant, you may think that ordering the abortion pill online is a quick way to deal with your unplanned pregnancy.
But there are limitations and restrictions you need to be aware of before making a decision.
While the abortion pill is legal to order online in some states, other states—like Kentucky—have restrictions against obtaining the abortion pill online.
Some restrictions are in place because of the risks of ordering pills online. The FDA has warned that ordering the abortion pill online through unregulated pharmacies is unsafe because there is not a way for them to verify the quality, effectiveness, and safety of the drugs.
As you will see below, speaking with your doctor and understanding these restrictions are essential because taking the abortion pill at the wrong time or dosage can lead to serious health risks.
How Does the Abortion Pill Work?
The abortion pill, or medical abortion, is a series of two drugs used to terminate a pregnancy.
The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone to terminate the pregnancy. Once this happens, the second drug, misoprostol, causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding.
Risks and Limitations to the Abortion Pill
As with any medical procedure, there are risks and limitations to the abortion pill that you will want to be aware of to protect your health.
Limitations
The first limitation is that the FDA has only approved the abortion pill through the first ten weeks of pregnancy (70 days). Attempting to use the abortion pill after ten weeks of pregnancy can lead to serious health risks.
A medical abortion (abortion pill) is also unsafe if you have an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when your pregnancy implants and grows outside of your uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. This condition requires immediate medical attention to prevent life-threatening bleeding.
Other limitations that can make you ineligible for a medical abortion include the following:
- Having an intrauterine device (IUD)
- Can’t make follow-up visits to your doctor
- Can’t access emergency care
- Taking a blood thinner or certain steroid medications
- Having an allergy to the medications used during a medical abortion
- Having certain medical issues such as bleeding disorders, heart or blood vessel diseases, severe lung, liver, or kidney disease, or an uncontrolled seizure disorder
Risks
According to the Mayo Clinic, the risks of medical abortion include the following:
- 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
Get the Answers You Need
Learning all you can about the details of your pregnancy is an important first step in navigating an unplanned pregnancy.
A free ultrasound scan from Alpha Pregnancy Care Center can provide you with key details, like the age and viability of your pregnancy, and confirm that you do not have an ectopic pregnancy.
Our trained staff will also answer all your questions and help you understand all the details of your pregnancy and what options are available.
It’s your health and your future, so you deserve to have the facts you need to make the best decision for yourself.
Contact us today to schedule your free and confidential appointment.
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