Abortion is a serious medical procedure, and it is important to understand the risks of having one. At-home or online abortions are becoming more well-known, so it is crucial to get the facts you need to make an informed decision about your pregnancy.
What Does an Online Abortion Mean?
An online abortion is often referred to as a medical or at-home abortion. A medical abortion uses two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, to end the pregnancy. Mifepristone blocks progesterone and prevents the embryo from continuing to be attached to the uterine wall. Misoprostol causes uterine contractions and expels the embryo and pregnancy tissue through the vagina.
Risks of a medical abortion include:
- Fever
- Infection
- Digestive system discomfort
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- An ongoing pregnancy (if the procedure doesn’t work)
- An incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by a surgical abortion
Is Medical Abortion for Everyone?
You may be wondering whether anyone can have a medical abortion. Like many procedures, there are restrictions in place for who should have one. You cannot have a medical abortion if you:
- Have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place
- Have certain medical conditions
- Are too far along in your pregnancy
- Take a blood thinner or certain steroid medications
- Have an allergy to the medications used
- Have a suspected ectopic pregnancy
- Can’t make follow-up visits to your provider
- Can’t access emergency care
Your health matters; it is imperative that you understand what a medical abortion entails and how it may affect you. Speaking with a medical provider, providing a list of your current medications, and sharing any known allergies before making a decision will help you to protect yourself.
Where Can I Go for Answers?
At LifeLine Pregnancy Center, we would be happy to discuss your pregnancy options with you. Our client advocates provide fact-based education so that you can get the answers you need.
Contact us today to start learning more. You are not alone!
