An online abortion is an option some women choose involving prescription drugs prescribed after a telehealth consultation and taken at home. It is also called a medical abortion. Though you may feel it allows control over where the abortion is performed, read this article to learn about the potential risks of at-home abortions.
Online Abortions Skip Important Health Screenings
Online abortions have limitations compared to in-person exams. Medical screenings like ultrasound and pregnancy testing are typically only available in clinical settings.
Ultrasounds are especially helpful because they provide information such as:
- Pregnancy Age: This can inform eligibility for certain procedures. The abortion pill is only FDA-approved up to 10 weeks of gestational age.
- Pregnancy status: Confirming the pregnancy’s viability, which can affect treatment options if a miscarriage is in progress, is critical.
- Pregnancy Location: This can determine whether you have an ectopic pregnancy or other complications.
What Are the Risks?
There are other risks to consider before pursuing other options. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are certain situations in which you should not seek an online abortion:
- If you are later than nine weeks into your pregnancy
- If you have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place
- If you have certain medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders, certain heart or blood vessel diseases, etc.
- If you take a blood thinner or certain steroid medications
- If you don’t have access to emergency care
If you do not have any of these pre-existing conditions, potential risks of medical abortion include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
What are My Options?
Attleboro Women’s Health offers free and confidential pregnancy services such as pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and STD testing. We are here to provide emotional support as well as practical resources.
If you’re still trying to decide which path is right, we offer obligation-free consultations where you can talk through your thoughts and feelings, answer questions, and connect you to local resources.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment!