As of 2020, the abortion pill accounts for more than half of all abortions in the United States. As you can imagine, we’ve received a lot of questions regarding the abortion pill! Some women have asked about ordering the abortion pill online, while others have asked if they can borrow their friends’ pills. While these seem like quick and easy solutions to an unplanned pregnancy, they could put your health and safety at risk!
We get it–being pregnant when you don’t want to be can feel overwhelming. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. CHOICES is here to help you make a safe and informed decision! Today, we’re answering some frequently asked questions about the abortion pill!
Do I Have to Get an Ultrasound Before Taking the Abortion Pill?
While Colorado abortion law doesn’t require you to get an ultrasound before having an abortion, we strongly encourage it! Ultrasounds provide crucial information about your pregnancy:
- Gestational age – Your gestational age refers to how far along you are in your pregnancy. This is important to know, as you shouldn’t take the abortion pill beyond 10 weeks[1]. We’ll discuss that shortly!
- Likelihood of miscarriage – If a fetal heartbeat can’t be detected during your ultrasound, it is possible that you may experience a miscarriage.
- Likelihood of ectopic pregnancy – An ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition in which the fertilized egg implants and grows outside of the uterus. Getting an ultrasound can help determine whether a pregnancy is growing inside the uterus.
Abortion isn’t needed in the case of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. If your ultrasound determines you’re experiencing either of these conditions, you can avoid the time, money, and stress that the abortion pill costs and move forward with the appropriate medical care!
Interested in more information about ultrasounds? Click here to contact us.
How Late Can You Take the Abortion Pill?
As mentioned above, you shouldn’t take the abortion pill if you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant (70 days or less since the first day of your last period)[1]. This is because the abortion pill becomes less effective the farther along you are. If you take the abortion pill beyond that point, you could experience serious complications and may need emergency surgery to complete the procedure.
Do I Need a Prescription for the Abortion Pill? Can I Get the Abortion Pill Over the Counter?
In order to take the abortion pill, the FDA requires a prescription from a qualified physician for your personal safety (more on that in a moment)[1]. The abortion pill isn’t available over the counter for that reason.
Can I Order the Abortion Pill Online?
The FDA advises against ordering the abortion pill online. Many online abortion pill providers are located overseas, so the pills they provide may not meet FDA standards[1]. These pills could be counterfeit, expired, or even tampered with! It’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid ordering the abortion pill online.
Can I Use My Friend’s Extra Abortion Pills?
It’s unsafe to use someone else’s prescription medication, especially the abortion pill! They may have been prescribed a dosage of misoprostol that could be harmful to you. The toxic dose of misoprostol is currently unknown[2]. Taking someone else’s abortion pill could risk an allergic reaction[3] or even an overdose[4]!
It’s always wise to speak to a licensed medical professional about the potential risks and side effects of the abortion pill before taking it. You owe it to yourself to get all the facts on the abortion pill, so you can protect your health!
Unplanned Pregnancy Support in Teller County
When those two lines first appear, it can be easy to panic. Don’t let fear make the final decision for you! Get the care and support you deserve at CHOICES! We offer free pregnancy resources, so you can make an empowered decision for your unplanned pregnancy:
- Free pregnancy tests
- Free ultrasounds
- Free STI testing and treatment
- A safe, non-judgmental place to explore your unplanned pregnancy options and share what’s on your mind
Give us a call at (719) 284-2300, text us at (719) 694-3201or visit us online at whatchoices.com and schedule your free appointment today. All services are confidential and free of charge!
Please be aware that CHOICES does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2021, December 16). Mifeprex (mifepristone) Information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (n.d.). Cytotec® – Food and Drug Administration. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2002/19268slr037.pdf
- FDA. (2021, December 16). Questions and Answers on Mifeprex. U.S. Food and Drug Administration . Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Mifepristone (Mifeprex): MedlinePlus Drug information. MedlinePlus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html#overdose