If you are looking for a solution to an unplanned pregnancy, then a mail-order abortion may seem like the golden ticket because of its easy accessibility and privacy.
However, it’s important to be aware of some of the downfalls of this option because it skips some important health screenings.
How the Abortion Pill Works
The abortion pill is a series of two different drugs. The first is mifepristone and can be taken up to 10 weeks gestation. The purpose of this drug is to block the fetus from receiving progesterone, a hormone that is essential for its development.
The next step is to take misoprostol within 24-48 hours of the first medication. This forces the uterus to contract and expel the fetus and pregnancy tissue. You can expect cramping and vaginal cramping after taking misoprostol.
Ordering a Mail-Order Abortion Skips Important Health Screenings
Mail-order abortions happen after a telehealth consultation with a doctor who then sends a prescription to your local pharmacy for you to pick up.
This option forgoes a pregnancy test to confirm that you are pregnant as well as an ultrasound, which verifies the age and viability of the pregnancy.
An ultrasound is vital because the abortion pill does not impact pregnancies that are located outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancies). Ectopic pregnancies are life-threatening and require different care (not an abortion).
The Abortion Pill Does Not Protect You from STIs
Even if you’re not experiencing symptoms, it’s important to get tested for an STI, because if you do have an STI while pregnant, it can pose additional risks to yourself.
Having an abortion with an untreated STI can increase your risk of pelvic infection. That’s why it’s important to get tested for STIs and receive treatment before you choose an abortion.
Next Steps
You deserve to have all the information you need to make a choice with confidence. At Abria Pregnancy Resources, we offer no-cost screenings for STIs as well as ultrasounds.
Come prepared with any questions about the process for our staff, and we’ll be happy to answer them with medically-accurate information as well as share available resources that may be helpful as you learn about your options. Contact us today!