The “abortion pill” is often touted as a magic wand for unwanted pregnancies. Now, just like ordering off Amazon, you can order the abortion pill online to be delivered directly to your house. Really, how harmful could two small pills be?
No matter how simple the process might seem, the abortion pill, also known as RU-486, shouldn’t be taken lightly. Like all medical procedures, it can have serious side effects and it’s important that you’re fully informed before you click “checkout.”
Here are 6 reasons you should never order the abortion pill online:
1. No Doctor Oversight
The abortion pill is a two-step process, starting with Mifepristone (Mifeprex®) which terminates the pregnancy by blocking the hormone progesterone. The second pill, Misoprostol, causes your uterus to contract and expel the fetus from your body.
While the abortion pill seems like the less invasive abortion option, it’s still a serious medical procedure and can be accompanied by a list of severe side effects you should be aware of. The most common side effects include abdominal pain, severe cramping, heavy bleeding, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, fever, and chills.
In some cases, women experience an “incomplete abortion,” and the entire fetus is not expelled from the uterus. If this happens, surgery is required immediately to avoid dangerous infections.
While surgical abortions are performed by doctors and licensed professionals, the abortion pill is taken at home without any professional oversight, meaning negative and harmful side effects could go unnoticed. Additionally, a medical professional is needed to ensure the pregnancy is not ectopic (located outside of the uterus). An undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency, and the abortion pill will not end an ectopic pregnancy.
2. Risk of Non-regulated Pharmaceutical Sites
Search for “How to order the abortion pill online?” and you’ll likely come across websites offering abortion medication, delivered right to your door. Before you keep browsing, it’s essential to take a second to understand where exactly these pills are coming from!
These “self-managed abortions” are often coming from pharmaceutical sites in other countries, meaning they aren’t tested and approved in the United States. The FDA currently states that online purchases of Mifeprex are illegal and that the drug should only be dispensed through health care facilities, including clinics, medical offices, and hospitals.
3. No FDA Oversight
Purchasing the abortion pill online means you’re at risk for added chemicals that aren’t approved by the FDA. Oversight by the FDA ensures that necessary standards are met when it comes to the production of medication. These regulations are put in place to protect women from dangerous, unwanted side effects and keep the pharmaceutical industry accountable for the harm caused by the abortion pill.
4. Taking the Abortion Pill Too Late in Your Pregnancy
Because the medication will not work effectively on an embryo that is in later stages of development, the abortion pill is only given to women under 10 weeks into their pregnancy.
To confirm your pregnancy and determine how far along you are, schedule an appointment with us for free pregnancy testing and an ultrasound. The ultrasound will also ensure that the pregnancy is viable and located in the uterus.
5. The Abortion Pill Could Lead to Death
The FDA has admitted that the pill can be fatal when taken without medical oversight. The drug label itself states, “WARNING: SERIOUS AND SOMETIMES FATAL INFECTIONS OR BLEEDING.”
Even still, death is rarely talked about among abortion providers as a side effect of the drug. To protect women from these side effects, Mifeprex is available only through a restricted program.
6. Potential Emotional Trauma
While many would think that surgical abortions would be more traumatic due to their invasive nature, more women have reported trauma following medical abortions, especially those done alone at home. Reported emotions range from feelings of guilt and shame, to deep loss and regret.
If you’re experiencing an unplanned pregnancy or are worried you might be pregnant, we’re here to help! At Hope Rising, we provide free pregnancy services and a safe and confidential space where you can explore your pregnancy options.
Click here to schedule your appointment with us today!