08 Dec Three Things to Know If You Are Considering Mail Order Abortions
After the pandemic, many people started doing more things at home. Online shopping, for instance, exploded. Food services that deliver groceries and pre-prepped meals have become another hot trend.
And now, in a land with differing abortion laws and restrictions, ordering an abortion in the mail has become more popular.
But before you jump on this trend, there are a few things you should know about having an at-home abortion.
There Are Risks Associated with an At-Home Abortion
Pregnancy is a complex health situation. Every woman’s body responds to it differently based on her genetic disposition, pre-existing health concerns, or medication she regularly takes. For example, some women have extreme morning sickness while others experience none. Other women suffer from preeclampsia or gestational diabetes, while still others feel their best.
The experience of ending a pregnancy may vary from woman to woman, because each person is unique.
Because of the different ways each body may respond to the abortion pill, it is risky to go through with an abortion without the oversight of a doctor. Especially if the pregnancy is farther along than 10 weeks, there will be a much greater chance of complications.
Some of the risks of the abortion pill include:
- Extreme cramping
- Vomiting and nausea
- Incomplete abortion, where the body does not fully expel all the parts of the baby
- Headaches
- Blood clots and heavy bleeding
- Complications with your medications or supplements interacting with the pill
Ordering the Abortion Pill Can Be Expensive
The abortion pill can cost up to $800, though most people spend around $550. This price does not include the pre-abortion doctor screening needed to get a prescription for the drug.
Before a doctor can prescribe a pill to you, you are highly encouraged to receive an ultrasound to ensure that you are less than 10 weeks in your pregnancy. Out-of-pocket this can cost you a couple hundred dollars. Our clinic does offer free ultrasounds, however.
You also will need to consider the costs that may come if there are any complications after taking the abortion pill that require further medical appointments. If you have an incomplete abortion, which happens around 30 percent of the time with the abortion pill, you may need surgical removal of the remaining fetal parts from your womb. This can cost thousands of dollars.
All Pills Are Not The Same
Though you may be tempted to order the abortion pill from a third-party source to bypass the doctor’s visit and save money, you should not do that.
Pills that are ordered off the Internet that are not approved by the FDA can be fake. Or they might already be expired. They also may include different ingredients that may be harmful or contaminated by bacteria.
The abortion pill is an extremely strong drug that should not be messed around with. In fact, the FDA has made it very clear that only certain healthcare officials and facilities can distribute the pill because of how strong it is. They highly recommend not taking pills found from other sources because it is not safe.
What Is Your Next Step?
Before you decide to do a mail-order abortion, come and talk to us. We can give you a free ultrasound to determine how far along your pregnancy is. We can also talk to you about your alternative options and answer any questions you may have about the abortion pill.