If you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy, you may have seen websites offering abortion drugs delivered directly to your home. Ordering online may seem like a quick, private option, especially if you’re feeling pressured or unsure of what to do next.
However, before ordering abortion drugs online, it’s important to understand the potential risks. The biggest concern isn’t simply where the drugs come from; it’s that you should first be evaluated by a healthcare provider before making any decision. This protects your health and ensures you’re making an informed choice.
Here are three important things to know before ordering abortion drugs online.
1. You Need Important Medical Information Before Taking Abortion Drugs
Before making any pregnancy decision, it’s essential to understand what’s happening with your pregnancy.
A positive pregnancy test confirms that you’re pregnant, but it doesn’t provide important medical details that could affect your care. That’s why an ultrasound is such an important next step.
An ultrasound can determine:
- Whether the pregnancy is located inside the uterus
- Whether the pregnancy appears to be viable (meaning you haven’t miscarried)
- Approximately how far along you are
This information is critical for protecting your health.
For example, an ectopic pregnancy occurs when a pregnancy develops outside the uterus. It is a medical emergency that cannot be treated with abortion drugs and requires immediate medical care. Without an ultrasound, you wouldn’t know if your pregnancy is ectopic.
An ultrasound can also identify if you’ve already experienced a miscarriage, which can happen without you immediately knowing it. If so, you would need medical guidance and not abortion drugs. It will also tell you how far along you are, which is important because the abortion pills are only effective up to a certain point in pregnancy.
Having this information first allows you to make your pregnancy decision based on accurate medical facts rather than assumptions.
2. Drugs Purchased Online May Not Be What They Claim to Be
Another important consideration is where the abortion drugs are coming from.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that drugs purchased outside the legitimate U.S. drug supply chain may not meet the same safety and quality standards as those obtained through licensed pharmacies.
According to the FDA, it does not have regulatory oversight of prescriptions from outside the legitimate U.S. drug supply chain. As a result, the agency cannot ensure the safety, effectiveness, or quality of those drugs.
When drugs are obtained from unverified or overseas sources, there is no guarantee they contain the ingredients listed on the label, or even have labels, or are the correct dosage, have been stored properly, or meet U.S. manufacturing standards.
3. Don’t Rush Your Decision
An unexpected pregnancy can make you feel like you need to solve everything immediately.
You may be worried about your future, your finances, your relationships, or how other people will react. Those feelings are understandable, but they can also make it tempting to move forward before you have all the information.
Before taking abortion drugs, give yourself the opportunity to slow down.
Learn about all of your pregnancy options. Ask questions. Talk with someone you trust who will listen without pressuring you toward one decision or another. Make sure you understand both the physical and emotional considerations of each option.
You deserve the time and information needed to make a decision that is truly your own.
Start with Sage Women’s Center
Before making any pregnancy decision, start by getting the facts.
At Sage Women’s Center, we offer no-charge pregnancy testing, no-charge limited obstetrical ultrasounds for qualifying patients, and a safe, private place to ask questions and learn about all of your pregnancy options. We don’t profit from your pregnancy decision. Our goal is to provide evidence-based medical information, compassionate care, and the support you need to make an informed choice that’s yours.
Contact Sage Women’s Center today to schedule your private appointment. We’re here to help you protect your health and find answers.