Many women consider purchasing the abortion pill online when they are facing an unexpected pregnancy. While online abortion is legal in Illinois, this skips the requirement of an in-person exam.
After a telehealth consultation, women can pick up their abortion prescription and self-administer the medication at home. If you are considering this option, read this article to learn more about buying the abortion pill online.
Online Abortions Skip Important Health Screenings
While purchasing the abortion pill online may sound convenient, skipping in-person exams prevents you from gathering information that could be vital to your health. Ultrasounds are one of these exams and include information such as pregnancy age, which can inform you if you are eligible for the abortion pill.
Up to 1 in 4 pregnancies end in natural miscarriages. An ultrasound can confirm your pregnancy viability to help you determine if medical treatment is necessary.
Before an abortion, it’s essential to be aware of any potential health complications, including the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when the pregnancy develops outside of the uterus.
An ectopic pregnancy cannot be confirmed or diagnosed with just a telehealth consultation, nor can an elective abortion treat it. Once this condition is revealed, it requires immediate medical attention.
Are There Other Risks to Online Abortion?
In addition to your gestational age and the conditions an ultrasound can reveal, there are other risks to consider. According to the Mayo Clinic, disqualifiers for a medical abortion include:
- If you have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place
- If you have certain medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders, heart or blood vessel diseases, etc.
- If you take a blood thinner or specific steroid medications
Even if you don’t have any of the above pre-existing conditions, you should not pursue abortion if you do not have access to immediate medical care.
Other potential risks of medical abortion can include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
What are My Options?
Ridgeway Women’s Clinic offers free services for pregnancy tests, same-day ultrasounds, and STI tests. We can also provide or give referrals for essential Pre-Abortion Health Screenings.
We offer a confidential and compassionate environment where you can learn more about your options, ask questions, and share concerns. You deserve to feel supported and informed during your pregnancy.
Contact us today to schedule a free and confidential appointment in the Freeport and
Rockford area (Loves Park).
