If you’ve been searching for information about the abortion pill online, you may have come across online abortion services that provide abortion pills by mail to be taken at home.
While these options can often seem private and convenient, it is important to remember that the abortion pill carries medical risks that are more difficult to recognize and manage without in-person medical oversight.
Compass Women’s Clinic of Athens is here to provide clear, accurate information about abortion, along with pregnancy testing and an ultrasound exam to confirm your pregnancy and give you the important medical details you need before making a pregnancy decision.
Schedule an appointment today and receive the care you deserve.
The Abortion Pill Carries Risks
Regardless of where the abortion pill is obtained, there are still risks to consider, which include heavy and prolonged bleeding, an incomplete abortion, and infection. Without medical oversight, these risks may be harder to recognize because it can be difficult to distinguish between expected side effects and signs of a complication that requires medical attention.
Obtaining the abortion pill online from unverified sources adds to these risks. In fact, the FDA advises against purchasing the abortion pill online because there is no way to verify if the drugs were manufactured, stored, handled, labeled, or shipped safely.
Why an Ultrasound Before an Abortion Matters
Taking the abortion pill without first confirming key medical details can put your health at risk. A pregnancy test only detects the pregnancy hormone hCG, while an ultrasound provides important information about your pregnancy, including its location, how far along you are (gestational age), and whether the pregnancy appears to be developing normally.
These details matter because the abortion pill is only FDA-approved through ten weeks of gestation. An ultrasound can also identify an ectopic pregnancy, where the egg implants outside the uterus. This is a medical emergency that cannot be treated with the abortion pill and requires immediate medical care.
In addition, around 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage. Because hCG can remain in the body after pregnancy loss, it is still possible to receive a positive pregnancy test result. An ultrasound can help determine whether the pregnancy is continuing by detecting a fetal heartbeat.
Your Health Comes First
It’s easy to feel like you need to make a decision quickly after learning you are pregnant unexpectedly. Taking time to slow down, get the facts about your pregnancy, and understand your options can help you make a more informed and confident decision.
Compass Women’s Clinic of Athens provides free pregnancy services to confirm your pregnancy and STI testing and treatment to protect your health. Once your pregnancy has been confirmed, we will walk you through your options and answer any questions you may have.
Contact us to make your confidential appointment.
