An online or at-home abortion takes place when a physician prescribes a medication abortion after a telehealth visit. This option allows you to pick up the prescription at a local pharmacy without ever stepping foot in a doctor’s office. While it seems convenient and discreet, at-home abortions come with some important health considerations.
The FDA recently approved mail-order abortions, although it is still restricted in some states. There is an ongoing debate about the safety of lifting the regulations that require in-person health screenings, but keep reading to decide for yourself what is the best step for you and your pregnancy.
Risks of A Medication Abortion
A medication abortion, which is the regimen of drugs prescribed for an at-home abortion, consists of mifepristone and misoprostol. These drugs end an intrauterine pregnancy that is 70 days along or less. They work to end an early pregnancy by blocking a hormone essential for your pregnancy’s progression and then contracting the uterus so that your body expels the pregnancy tissue.
According to the Mayo Clinic, potential risks of medical abortion include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Risks of At-Home Abortion
While at-home abortions are quick, convenient, and allow you to do it from the privacy of your own home, there are still some risks to be aware of.
One of the biggest health concerns is the lack of a pre-abortion screening. For example, when you forego an ultrasound, you have not eliminated the possibility of an undetected ectopic pregnancy or that you are further along than ten weeks (medication abortions are not recommended for later than this).
Another health screening that is often skipped is an STI test. If a woman has an at-home abortion that is unsuccessful and requires a surgical procedure (to remove the pregnancy remnants), this could compromise her future reproductive health if she has an untreated STI.
Confirm Your Pregnancy
If you are wanting a discreet option but are worried about the lack of a health screening, we understand. That’s why our health screenings are confidential and provided at no cost to you (we won’t even bill your insurance).
We offer free ultrasounds that will confirm the viability of your pregnancy, verify how long you’ve been pregnant, and make sure it is an intrauterine pregnancy (non-ectopic). We also offer STI testing and treatment so your sexual health is protected. All of these are important factors when it comes to assessing your eligibility for the abortion pill.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
