You may have heard of a telemedicine-style abortion project now active in thirteen states, especially since the coronavirus has limited in-person clinic and doctor visits. This research study allows women to receive abortion pills through the mail without first having a physical exam or ultrasound and does not require follow-up appointments with a medical provider.
Is this a good idea though? The following information might be useful to you in determining whether or not it is a good idea to buy abortion pills online, even if they are available.
Abortion during the Coronavirus Pandemic
The number of women seeking at-home medication abortions through this experimental U.S. telemedicine provider has reportedly doubled during the coronavirus pandemic.
It works like this: After a virtual chat with a medical professional, a pregnant woman is instructed to obtain any tests necessary with a local provider, then the abortion medications, usually mifepristone and misoprostol, are mailed to her with instructions.
Sounds simple. But is it really? The pandemic has forced protocols to change but your safety might be at risk.
Abortion Protocol before the Pandemic
Before the pandemic, the medical community’s standard of care required that patients first had to undergo a blood test and an ultrasound or pelvic exam so that the provider could determine how far along she was in her pregnancy (since the abortion pill can only be used up to ten weeks from the first day of her last menstrual period).
Many of these restrictions, imposed by the FDA, have been in place since 2000. The question now is: Should patient safety be compromised because of the coronavirus pandemic?
Safety Concerns
The abortion pill (mifepristone and misoprostol) should not be used in patients with the following conditions: ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, IUD in place, chronic adrenal failure, long-term corticosteroid therapy, allergy to the medications, anticoagulant therapy (blood thinner), bleeding disorders, or inherited porphyrias.
It is important that a woman has access to medical care or follow-up in case an emergency develops. Some typical side effects are abdominal pain, uterine cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
About 8 percent of women experience bleeding that lasts more than 30 days. This could indicate an incomplete abortion. In that situation, a surgical abortion is necessary to decrease the risk of infection.
Meet with your Doctor
Please take the time to discuss any medication with your doctor. If you are worried about confidentiality, you need not be concerned when discussing your needs with a professional health care provider. Your right to privacy is protected.
Don’t Forget to Breathe
The best decisions are made when you don’t feel hurried. Take the time to gather all of your information, including an ultrasound to determine if you even have a viable pregnancy. Twenty percent of pregnancies miscarry and 80 percent of those miscarriages happen in the first trimester.
Contact Us
Contact us to schedule an ultrasound at no cost. The information you will get from that first step is absolutely necessary before deciding what to do next.
Be assured that all of our services are confidential. We’re here for you.