Is An Online or At-Home Abortion Safe?
An unplanned pregnancy can feel intimidating. All of the unknowns about your future, how your family will react, and the financial burden can make you want to rush into a quick abortion at home.
But something this big and life-changing shouldn’t be decided on a whim.
It is worth it to take the time to weigh your options, learn about the risks and side-effects, and find out the truly best way to move forward. You don’t want to look back with regret for not taking more time to ask questions.
What Is an Online Abortion?
An online abortion happens when you order the abortion pill online from a third party source without a prescription from a doctor.
But beware: these pills are not subject to FDA regulations and may not be safe. You may end up taking pills that are contaminated, expired or fake.
The FDA highly recommends avoiding third party versions of the pill. “Mifeprex may only be dispensed in clinics, medical offices, and hospitals by or under the supervision of a certified healthcare provider.”
What is an At-Home Abortion?
An at-home abortion occurs when you take the abortion pill at home, rather than at an abortion clinic.
This must happen before 10 weeks gestation, and with a prescription from a healthcare professional.
How Does the Abortion Pill Work?
First you will take Mifepristone, a hormone blocker. This medication will intercept the hormone progesterone, which carries nutrients to the womb. When progesterone is cut off, the pregnancy will stop receiving what it needs to survive.
After the pregnancy is terminated, you will take Misoprostol to trigger contractions that will expel your pregnancy. You will essentially go into an early “labor” to “give birth” to the remains of everything in your womb.
This will take several hours or days, and usually creates heavy painful cramping, and bleeding.
What Are the Risks of the Abortion Pill?
Regardless of where you obtain the abortion pill, there are risks.
Some of the risks according to the FDA include:
- Heavy Bleeding. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you bleed enough to soak through two thick full-size sanitary pads per hour for two consecutive hours or if you are concerned about heavy bleeding. In about 1 out of 100 women, bleeding can be so heavy that it requires a surgical procedure (surgical aspiration or D&C).
- Abdominal Pain or “Feeling Sick.” If you have abdominal pain or discomfort, or you are “feeling sick,” including weakness, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, with or without fever, more than 24 hours after taking misoprostol, you should contact your healthcare provider without delay. These symptoms may be a sign of a serious infection or another problem (including an ectopic pregnancy, a pregnancy outside the womb).
- Fever. In the days after treatment, if you have a fever of 100.4°F or higher that lasts for more than 4 hours, you should contact your healthcare provider right away. Fever may be a symptom of a serious infection or another problem
Can the Abortion Pill be Reversed?
If you have already taken the abortion pill, but quickly regretted it, you may be able to reverse the effects before the pregnancy is terminated.
The Abortion Pill Reversal Network has found a 68 percent success rate with women who received progesterone within 72 hours of taking Mifeprex.
If you want to reverse your abortion, do not wait. Call the Abortion Pill Reversal Network immediately to get connected to a doctor near you who can provide progesterone pills or shots.
Where Can I Learn More?
If you are feeling overwhelmed by an unplanned pregnancy, we are here to help. Educating yourself about all your options will take away that overwhelming feeling and replace it with confidence about making a decision.
We can answer any questions you may have about abortion. We can also tell you more about alternative options like adoption and parenting. Call us today to schedule a confidential consultation.
