A mail-order abortion is simply ordering medication abortion or abortion pills by mail. This is only allowed in states where abortion telehealth is legal, and Illinois is one of those states.
This type of abortion is only FDA-approved for women 10 weeks along or less (70 days), and is a serious medical procedure. If you are thinking about mail-order abortion, here are three things you should know.
1. An Ultrasound Is a Must
Other states have banned abortion telehealth and mail-order abortion because it removes some of the preliminary screenings and safeguards for women. In 19 states, women must be in the physical presence of a prescriber for greater safety measures.
There are safety issues with moving forward with medication abortion before having an ultrasound. First, if you are further along than ten weeks pregnant, your risk of incomplete abortion increases. This can turn into a more serious health issue.
Second, medication abortion pills only work when the pregnancy is located inside of the uterus. This means if you have an ectopic pregnancy (usually located in a fallopian tube), abortion pills will not treat this condition, and it can worsen. Ectopic pregnancy can be life threatening.
Getting an ultrasound will prevent these safety concerns.
2. STDs and Abortion Do Not Mix Well
Having an abortion with the presence of an STD can spread the STD deeper into your reproductive system, causing greater health problems. Untreated STDs can leave lasting damage, especially if they develop into pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or an infection of the uterus.
Protect your future fertility and reproductive health by getting screened for STDs regularly, and especially before an abortion.
3. There Are Risks Involved
Every medical procedure comes with risks, including mail-order abortion. Here are the risks to know about before moving forward:
- Incomplete abortion, which may require a surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
The Mayo Clinic says you shouldn’t move forward with a medication abortion if you can’t make follow-up visits with a doctor or you don’t have access to emergency care.
Pre-Abortion Evaluations at Ridgeway Women’s Clinic
Take necessary safety precautions with a Pre-Abortion Evaluation at Ridgeway Women’s Clinic. We will provide no-cost pregnancy testing, an ultrasound, and STD testing to make sure you’re healthy and determine the options available to you.
This is your life and your future. We’re here to support you as you navigate your pregnancy. Schedule your free appointment today!
