Is an Online Abortion or At-Home Abortion Safe?
An online abortion involves buying abortion pill drugs online and taking them at home. This option comes with risks since you’ll be taking powerful drugs and experiencing side effects without the oversight of a medical professional.
If you’re considering this option, taking specific steps beforehand to safeguard your health is essential. Read on to learn more about these steps, which include researching information and receiving an ultrasound and STD testing.
Want to talk to someone in person about your pregnancy options? Contact Vida Medical Clinic to be connected with one of our caring team members. All appointments are free and confidential.
Understand How an At-Home Abortion Works
An at-home abortion involves taking two different drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. These strong drugs terminate your pregnancy and then expel it through your vagina.
You will experience vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping afterward. However, it’s difficult to know whether your entire pregnancy has left your uterus. This is because when parts of your pregnancy remain in your uterus (called an incomplete abortion), the symptoms begin with vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping that worsen.
You might also see your pregnancy pass after it leaves your uterus, which can be a distressing experience.
Along with an incomplete abortion, other potential risks of an at-home abortion include:
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
What To Do Before Seeking an At-Home Abortion
Pregnancy Test
If you’re thinking about ordering abortion pills online, certain steps must be taken to protect your health. The most important first step is to take a pregnancy test. Even if you’ve taken one at home, following up with a lab-quality pregnancy test is essential to ensure you’re still pregnant. This is because nearly 26% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and if you’ve had one, you won’t want to take the abortion pill drugs.
Ultrasound
If you receive a positive result, getting an ultrasound is another vital step. This scan can determine the age of your pregnancy (which is essential since the abortion pill drugs are only FDA-approved if your pregnancy is under 10 weeks gestation,) and also its location (another necessary detail to rule out a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy).
STD Screening
If you seek an abortion while having an active STD, it can put you at risk for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)—an infection of your upper reproductive organs.
Even if you think there’s no way you have an STD, it’s essential to get tested before seeking an abortion since many STDs don’t present with obvious symptoms. This means it’s possible to have an STD and not know it.
Next Steps
Facing an unexpected pregnancy can feel isolating, but you’re not alone in this. Vida Medical Clinic is here for you.
While your pregnancy decision is yours, we offer medical services, resources, and information to help you make an informed decision—and feel supported in the process. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential appointment.
