3 Things to Know if You Are Considering Mail-Order Abortion

August 1, 2024

Choosing to have an abortion procedure is a big decision that shouldn’t be made lightly. When you purchase abortion drugs online, have them delivered to your door, and take them at home, you could introduce other risks that you may not have considered.

These “mail-order” abortions aren’t technically banned in Arkansas (though abortion in the state is illegal in most cases) because the drugs are sent from outside pharmacies. However, this method can introduce major risks you should be aware of.

Elevate Women’s Center wants you to get the facts before deciding. Book a no-cost appointment with us today.

Continue reading to learn more about what to consider before opting for a mail-order abortion.

1. The FDA does not recommend buying abortion drugs online.

The abortion drugs available for purchase online come from unregulated, overseas pharmacies. The FDA does not recommend purchasing these drugs online because they can’t guarantee their quality, safety, or effectiveness.

This means that you won’t be able to tell whether the drugs you’re taking are the correct dosage (or even the ones you intend to take).

2. You won’t confirm key pregnancy details before having a mail-order abortion.

The FDA has approved abortion drugs through 10 weeks gestation. However, you won’t know your gestational age (how far along you are), whether your pregnancy is progressing, or where it is located.

With a mail-order abortion, you’ll likely order the drugs online after a single telehealth appointment. This means you won’t have an ultrasound, which you need to verify key pregnancy details and help clarify whether you’re eligible to take abortion drugs.

If you have an ectopic pregnancy (which occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus), you will need immediate medical treatment to prevent complications. If you have miscarried (your pregnancy has ended), you may require monitoring or further treatment.

If you’ve received a positive pregnancy test at our center, we’ll offer an on-site, limited ultrasound to confirm these essential details and help you determine the next steps.

3. You won’t receive the medical oversight needed before and after the procedure.

Abortion has risks and side effects you should be aware of before making a decision. When you take medical abortion drugs, you will experience abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding.

Not everyone is eligible to take these drugs. For example, you can’t take them if you have an IUD currently in place, take a blood thinner, or can’t access emergency care.

Additionally, after taking the drugs, you’d need to recognize signs of something amiss, which include chills or a fever lasting more than 4 hours.

When you take these drugs at home and don’t have access to a healthcare provider, you can miss crucial signs indicating you should seek medical attention. And without proper oversight, you may have taken drugs that you weren’t eligible for.

Get the Facts Beforehand

Elevate Women’s Center knows that making a pregnancy decision isn’t easy, and you need reliable information.

Our no-cost services ensure you learn about each option, gather important information about your pregnancy, and make an informed decision.

Make an appointment today to learn more.