What to Know Before Ordering Abortion Pills Online

If you're facing an unexpected pregnancy and considering abortion pills, you may have come across ads or websites offering to mail them directly to you. While the convenience is understandable, bypassing a medical professional carries real health risks. Before 2022, an in-person visit with a provider was the standard of care before taking the abortion pill — and there are still very good reasons for that.

Safe Harbor is here to help you understand why a medical professional's guidance matters when making this decision!

First, while home pregnancy tests can be helpful, they're not always accurate. A medical-grade pregnancy test administered by a healthcare professional gives you definitive answers.

Next, you should have an ultrasound. An ultrasound provides critical information about your pregnancy:

• Age of your pregnancy/ # of weeks – Knowing how far along you are is an essential reason to see a medical professional before taking abortion pills. The FDA has only approved abortion pills through 10 weeks of pregnancy, measured from the first day of your last menstrual period. Using them beyond that window significantly increases your risk of serious complications. It can be easy to miscalculate on your own, which is why an ultrasound is the most reliable way to confirm how many weeks along you are. For the sake of your health, knowing the true gestational age of your pregnancy is a critical first step.

• Location of your pregnancy– One of the most important reasons to see a medical professional before taking abortion pills is to confirm the location of your pregnancy. Abortion pills are only effective when the embryo is implanted in the uterus. They cannot end a pregnancy located elsewhere. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube, which is why it's also called a tubal pregnancy. This happens in 1–2% of pregnancies in the U.S.¹, and while that may sound rare, it is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Abortion pills will not treat an ectopic pregnancy. Only a medical professional can diagnose and safely manage it.

• Viability of your pregnancy – Not all pregnancies develop as expected. In fact, 15–25% of pregnancies in the U.S. end in natural miscarriage, and according to the Cleveland Clinic, chromosomal abnormalities account for about half of those losses.²   Without an ultrasound, there is no way to know whether an embryo is present or whether your pregnancy is actively developing. Some pregnancies, for example, involve no embryo at all. A blighted ovum occurs when a gestational sac forms but no embryo develops inside it, often resulting in miscarriage during the first trimester. A molar pregnancy, on the other hand, involves abnormal tissue growth in the uterus and requires immediate medical attention. Only a medical professional with access to ultrasound can identify these conditions and help you understand what is actually happening with your pregnancy.

Make an informed decision! The abortion pill or medication abortion typically involves two different medications³:

Mifepristone (the first pill) blocks progesterone, a hormone needed for pregnancy to continue. This medication causes the uterine lining to break down, the cervix to soften, and the embryo to detach.

Misoprostol (the second pill(s)) is taken 24-48 hours later and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy. This part of the process often involves heavy bleeding and cramping that can last for several hours.

What to Expect:

• Bleeding that is heavier than a normal period, sometimes with large clots
• Cramping that can range from moderate to severe
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever
• The process can take several hours to several days

Potential Risks⁴:

• Incomplete abortion (requiring medical intervention)
• Heavy bleeding that may require medical attention
• Infection (requiring medical intervention)
• Undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy (requiring medical intervention)
• Emotional and psychological effects

You deserve support! Making decisions about an unexpected pregnancy can feel overwhelming, especially when you're doing it alone. You don't have to navigate this by yourself.

At Safe Harbor Pregnancy Medical Centers, we offer:

• Free medical-grade pregnancy testing
• Free limited ultrasounds
• Accurate information about all your options
• Compassionate, non-judgmental support
• A safe space to ask questions and process your feelings

Your health and safety matter! Before making any decision, get the medical information you need. Safe Harbor is here to provide the care and answers you deserve at no cost to you.

Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential appointment.