We’re so glad you are asking this question. Often, women just order the abortion drugs without looking into the consequences. Since you take the drugs at home, it’s critical to know what risks you may face. First, you need to see if you qualify to use the abortion pill method. Let’s find out.

Who Shouldn’t Take the Abortion Pill?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a medical abortion (the abortion pill) isn’t a safe option for the following reasons:

• You are too far along in your pregnancy. The FDA approves the drugs only through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. This is because the drugs are less effective the farther along you are.
• If you are allergic to either mifepristone or misoprostol, the drugs used.
• You cannot use the drugs if you have an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy develops outside the uterus and can be extremely dangerous.
• If you use long-term corticosteroids. People take steroids for a variety of conditions, such as asthma, eczema, and arthritis.
• You cannot use the abortion pill method if you have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place.
• If you have a blood clotting disorder, significant anemia, or chronic adrenal failure.
• If you don’t have access to emergency care.

How Do You Find Out If You Qualify?

The easiest way to learn about your pregnancy is with an ultrasound. Even if you are considering abortion, an ultrasound determines how far along you are in your pregnancy, its location, and if it’s actually developing or you have had a miscarriage.

An ultrasound protects your health. Here’s how:

• Determining the date you got pregnant can be tricky. Many women are surprised to learn they are farther along than they initially thought. Since the abortion drugs are less effective the farther along you are, having the exact date is vital.
• Knowing the location of your pregnancy is critical. Although ectopic pregnancies are rare, having one can be life-threatening.
• Experts estimate that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage. It is possible to get a false positive pregnancy test after a miscarriage because it takes your body time to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels.

Read previous posts for information about how the abortion pill can affect you physically and emotionally.

Where Can I Get A No-Cost Ultrasound?

Willowbrook Women’s Center offers no-cost pregnancy services, including pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and consultations. You might even qualify for no-cost STD testing, which is necessary if you’re considering abortion. Contact us to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.

All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.