What Are the Risks of Ordering the Abortion Pill Online?

When facing an unexpected pregnancy, many women choose to terminate it within the privacy of their own homes by requesting the abortion pill online. The FDA has only approved this method up to 70 days or less since the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period.

How Do You Order the Abortion Pill Online?

In some states, abortion clinics offer telehealth consultations that do not require an in-person visit to a clinic to get a prescription. When you choose a telehealth consultation, you forgo the essential step of an ultrasound.

An ultrasound is the best medical practice to ensure you are under ten weeks and 0 days gestation. Ultrasound also reveals if you’ve had a miscarriage and eliminate health risks, such as an ectopic pregnancy. 

What Are the Risks?

According to the Mayo Clinic, some eliminate your ability to use the abortion pill: 

• Your pregnancy is too far along
• You have an intrauterine device (IUD)
• Have a suspected ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy is located outside the uterus).
• Certain medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders, certain heart or blood vessel diseases, uncontrolled seizures, etc.
• Take a blood thinner or certain steroid medications.
• Can’t make follow-up visits to your doctor

In addition to skipping the step of an ultrasound, other potential risks of an at-home abortion include the potential for an incomplete abortion (this may require a surgical intervention to remove the remnants of the pregnancy). Last but not least, there is no medical oversight or emergency care when you take the abortion pill in your home.

Do I Qualify for an At-Home Abortion?

You’ll first want to verify you are pregnant and haven’t had a miscarriage. Secondly, you need to know how far along you are. At First Concern PRC, we offer lab-quality pregnancy tests and ultrasound referrals to give you more insight into the health and status of your pregnancy. Our staff is available to share resources and provide medically accurate information in a pressure-free environment.