Have you ever watched a commercial for a new medication? It initially sounds wonderful, but then it is followed by a list of side effects and risks.
The same is true of any medical procedure or drug, including abortion. And, just as with the commercial, you deserve to know the risks before deciding to move forward with an abortion.
There are two main types of abortion: medical (also known as the abortion pill) and surgical. They each have their own set of risks.
Medical Abortion
Often called the abortion pill, a medical abortion consists of two drugs taken in succession. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, which is needed for the pregnancy to continue. This drug will cause the pregnancy to end. Then, misoprostol is taken at home hours or days later. It causes contractions, which expels the pregnancy and related tissue from the uterus. This drug causes vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping. Other medical abortion side effects can include nausea, fever, chills, headache, and diarrhea. The potential risks include incomplete abortion, an ongoing pregnancy, heavy and prolonged bleeding, fever, infection, and digestive system discomfort.Online Abortions
When women order abortion pills online, the procedure and side effects remain the same, but there may be more risks due to a lack of medical oversight and the supplier.- Without medical care, you will not receive an ultrasound before an abortion to determine how far along you are in your pregnancy. The FDA does not approve medical abortions beyond ten weeks gestation.
- Additionally, if you have an ectopic pregnancy, a life-threatening condition, you will not know without an ultrasound. An abortion cannot treat this condition because it’s a non-viable pregnancy located outside of your uterus.
- If you start the abortion pill without medical supervision, you may not receive quick assistance if you experience a complication. It’s important to have access to emergency care.
- If you order drugs online from an illegitimate or overseas pharmacy, you will not be able to verify the quality, safety, dosage, or if you received the correct drugs.