Is it Safe?
Are you thinking about buying the abortion pill online? It sounds like an easy solution, but there are a few factors you will need to consider before making an informed decision. For more information on the drug itself, also known as Plan C or “self-managed abortion,” read our blog post on the abortion pill.
Actually, it is Illegal in our state
Buying the abortion pill online may be legal in some states, but it is illegal in the State of Tennessee. All elective, induced abortions will become illegal in Tennessee by August 25, 2022, meaning that prescribing the abortion pill, even over telemedicine, will be illegal as well. It is also illegal to mail the abortion pill to a home address in Tennessee. The National Food and Drug Administration still warns against purchasing the abortion pill, specifically Mifeprex and its generic versions, over the Internet. Prescription medications are powerful substances, and the abortion pill is no exception. The FDA says “Mifeprex and its approved generic have special safety restrictions on how it is distributed to the public. Also, drugs purchased from foreign Internet sources are not the FDA-approved versions of the drugs, and they are not subject to FDA-regulated manufacturing controls or FDA inspection of manufacturing facilities.”
In fact, the FDA cautions against buying any prescription online. Be sure to read their guidelines for buying prescription medication online. When trying a new medication, the FDA recommends talking with your doctor and getting a physical exam first. And then “use ONLY medicine that has been prescribed” by a doctor who is licensed in the US to prescribe medicines.
According to the FDA guidelines, any website selling prescriptions should also be located in the US and be licensed by the state board of pharmacy. It should require a prescription from your doctor or a doctor licensed in the US. There should also be a licensed pharmacist to answer questions and someone to talk to if complications arise.
No, it is not safe!
Unfortunately, some online abortion pill providers sell in the U.S. but are licensed in another country. That is unsafe and kind of…sketchy.
There are some shady online providers out there. You don’t (and can’t) have a relationship with an online retailer like you do your doctor. That means you can’t trust online medication retailers the same way you trust your physician who practices in a trusted establishment and who can converse with you one-on-one when she is totally focused on helping you. Plus, you can view her medical license or diploma on the wall in the examination room and see where she attended medical school!
Even if you travel to another state and legally obtain a prescription for the abortion pill from your doctor via a “telemedicine” visit, you need to remember that a pregnancy test only indicates that you have the pregnancy hormone present in your blood or urine. You need an ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy. If you do not have a confirmed pregnancy, taking the abortion pill would be unnecessary.
Before you Take the Abortion Pill You Need Confirmation of Pregnancy
Confirmation of your pregnancy requires an ultrasound. The ultrasound will confirm the location of your pregnancy (if it is in your uterus) and whether it is a viable pregnancy (if the fetus has a heartbeat). If the fetus is not in your uterus (which is another health risk), an abortion could cause major complications. If the fetus does not have a heartbeat, you will likely miscarry. In fact, 25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Miscarriage is a lot gentler on your body because it is natural.
How far along you are in your pregnancy is another important factor. The abortion pill can only be taken up to 10 weeks gestation, and that needs to be confirmed by an ultrasound. You and your doctor are taking a huge risk when the only information she uses to guess how far along you are is your last period date. What if you misremembered the date, or you are later in pregnancy than you expected and the pill doesn’t work?
At Birth Choice, we can provide you with a free pregnancy test, ultrasound, and medical consultation as well as information on abortion.
Are you willing to take these risks of buying and using online abortion pills? These are questions you need to ask yourself. If you want to talk with someone about the abortion pill or discuss your options for pregnancy, please call us at 731-664-8443. We are here for you!
Make an appointment.
Tiffany Dawson is the Director of Development at Birth Choice. She loves empowering women to make the best choices for their pregnancies.