Do you think you’re pregnant or have you taken an at-home pregnancy test that’s positive? An unplanned pregnancy can be scary. It’s a big surprise for everyone.
You’ve heard about the abortion pill method and think it might be the easiest solution to your “problem.” But you may want to wait before ordering the drugs. For your safety, there are a few things you need to know first.
Recent Rulings About The Abortion Pill Method
Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced they would permanently remove restrictions on two of the drugs needed for the abortion pill method. Now, you can purchase them through a telemedicine appointment rather than in person.
The FDA’s decision still requires health care providers who are going to prescribe the drugs to obtain special certification. Patients will have to sign an agreement indicating they’ve been informed about the risks of the drugs, and pharmacies that supply the drugs have to be certified to fill the prescription.
Here are 3 things you want to know before you order the drugs:
1. How Far Along Is Your Pregnancy?
The FDA and Mayo Clinic state you only qualify for the abortion pill if you’ve been pregnant 10 weeks or less since the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). You need to know the date you got pregnant. Have you tracked your menstrual cycle that closely?
Why does it even matter? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) writes “Clinicians should counsel patients that medication abortion failure rates, especially continuing pregnancy rates, increase as gestational age approaches 10 weeks (70 days).” In other words, the longer your pregnancy goes on, the greater the possibility of having a failed medical abortion.
The best way to tell how far along you are is with an ultrasound. An ultrasound in New York typically costs between $200 and $525. Soundview Pregnancy Services offers free ultrasounds.
2. You Might Not Need An Abortion
Statistics from the Mayo Clinic show up to 20% or possibly more pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage. You can still get a positive pregnancy test result and not be pregnant because it takes your body a while to decrease all of the pregnancy hormones.
How do you find out if you’ve already had a miscarriage? With ultrasound. The ultrasound exam will show if your pregnancy is growing normally or you’ve had a miscarriage. You’ll be able to assess a fetal heartbeat.
3. The Mayo Clinic lists several restrictions to using the abortion pill method:
- You’re farther than 70 days (10 weeks) into your pregnancy.
- Have an IUD.
- You have an ectopic pregnancy (which means it’s growing outside of the uterus)
- Certain medical conditions, such as heart disease, kidney or lung disease, or an uncontrolled seizure disorder.
- Take a blood thinner.
- Can’t make follow-up visits to be sure the abortion was complete
- Allergic to the medications
In addition, the Mayo Clinic states, “Having a medical abortion is a major decision with emotional and psychological consequences. If you’re considering this procedure, make sure you understand what it entails, side effects, possible risks, complications, and alternatives.”
Schedule your free appointment for an ultrasound at Soundview Pregnancy Services before ordering an abortion pill method.
We’ll make sure you have the necessary information you need to make an informed choice. At Soundview, you aren’t just another number passing through the clinic, you’re a woman who is respected and listened to without judgment. Set up a free appointment to talk with us.