Abortion Pills by Mail

What to know Before you order

Abortion by mail has become more common in recent years. Many think it is the easiest option for them if they want fast, inexpensive, and confidential results. However, there are some risks with abortion by mail that may have you thinking twice about whether this is the best option for your health. 

What is abortion by mail?

Abortion by mail is a chemical abortion procedure that is available to be mailed to you instead of picking it up from your doctor or pharmacy. Chemical abortion is the form of abortion that uses a series of pills to end a pregnancy and then causes contractions to expel it from the uterus. 

Do I need to see a doctor before ordering abortion pills?

The FDA removed the two visit requirement from the chemical abortion procedure during covid when many face-to-face interactions became available virtually. However, there are several reasons why it is still safer and in the best interest of your health for you to see a provider before and after a chemical abortion.

Some of the related health concerns below should be addressed by receiving an ultrasound before proceeding with the chemical abortion.

1. All women should be certain that they are not currently experiencing an early miscarriage prior to considering a chemical abortion. Even if you had a positive pregnancy test you may be about to have a miscarriage. In such a case, an abortion is another stress on your body when you no longer have a decision to make about this pregnancy.

2. It is also important to rule out an ectopic pregnancy before taking abortion pills as ectopic symptoms may be mistaken for the chemical abortion pill side effects. An ectopic pregnancy needs medical intervention and can lead to a life threatening medical emergency if ignored.

3. An ultrasound is required for accurate dating of the pregnancy. The majority of women may not ovulate on the 14th day of their cycle, which means that the calculations used to estimate how far along you are would not be totally accurate. This is a concern if you are further along than the FDA has approved for chemical abortion.

4. There may be serious complications following the abortion pill procedure. These complications may include hemorrhaging, infection if the abortion is incomplete, and other health concerns that may require medical intervention. Therefore, follow-up care by a medical professional is essential.

Can I change my mind about abortion at any point?

You can change your mind about the abortion within 72 hours of taking the first pill. The first pill, which is mifepristone, blocks your progesterone receptors. The hormone progesterone is vital to maintaining a pregnancy. The abortion can potentially be reversed withing the first 72 hours with Abortion Pill Reversal (APR). APR provides you with progesterone to counteract the mifepristone and allows the pregnancy to continue.

How We Can Help: Your Best First Step

The best first step before spending money and resources to obtain abortion pills is to have an ultrasound to rule out any already-present complications, as well as determine fetal viability. The FRPC offers many services including lab quality pregnancy tests and diagnostic ultrasounds. All of our services are confidential, completely free, and have no barriers to access. Our registered nurses and trained staff are here to give you help that is compassionate and accessible so that you can make an informed decision. 

Schedule an appointment with us online at our website or call us at (540)-635-6181.

References

“Ectopic Pregnancy.” Mayo Clinic, March 12, 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088. 

“Mifepristone (Oral Route) Side Effects.” Mayo Clinic, October 1, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/mifepristone-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20067123?p=1.