If you are considering terminating an unwanted early pregnancy, you’ve likely read about the differences between surgical abortion and medical abortion and understand that medical abortion is suitable for pregnancies up to 10 weeks. Many women opt to access abortion pills by post, a reasonably new but increasingly popular service. But are abortion pills safe? Can you order abortion pills online without any problems? Is it safe to have an abortion at home? Join us as we discuss the pros and cons of ordering abortion pills online.
Abortion pills – How do they work and is it even safe?
Before we jump into the pros and cons of ordering abortion pills online, we must first answer the obvious questions: How does an abortion pill work? Are they even a safe option for terminating a pregnancy?
Abortion by pills, also known as medical abortion, is a procedure that dates back to 1991, back when it was first licensed in Britain. The process involves 2 tablets – Mifepristone and Misoprostol – which are taken at separate intervals to induce miscarriage-like symptoms to help the body terminate the pregnancy. You may be surprised to know that, according to statistics provided by the Department Of Health & Social Care, a record 209,917 abortions took place in 2020 – 85% of which were medical abortions.
The Mifepristone tablet acts as a barrier to the production of the crucial pregnancy hormone – progesterone. It stops the pregnancy from developing further and helps it to break away from the uterine wall. The second tablet, Misoprostol, causes contractions in the uterus, thereby causing a natural miscarriage. This whole process makes medical abortion a safe and non-surgical way to terminate pregnancy.
Common side effects of abortion pills include heavy bleeding (when passing the pregnancy) and temporary effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, due to a nationwide shutdown and restrictions, in order to ensure women could still safely access abortion services, the government stepped in and gave temporary approval for abortion pills to be used at home without the need for a face-to face consultation. The approval was set to end on 30th March 2022, but then later was further extended until 29th August 2022. On 30th August 2022, this was approved as permanent legislation.
We are very lucky in England to be able to access to abortion services from the comfort of our own homes. But how does one secure these pills in the first place? Simple. The legislation allowed women to get pills from the NHS, or from certified private abortion clinics after a video or telephone consultation from a doctor or gynaecologist.
Pros of ordering abortion pills online
Why do women prefer ordering abortion pills online as opposed to attending a clinic in-person? Are there any benefits to this? The answer is a resounding yes.
The decision to terminate a pregnancy is a difficult one and a sensitive topic for many. Being able to have an abortion from the comfort of your home means that it affords women the opportunity for the process to be more discreet, and private.
In a day and age where convenience is king, not needing to find time to travel to a clinic can feel like a God-send. All it takes is a video or telephone consultation with your chosen clinic to start the process. If eligible, a discreet package is then delivered to your doorstep with everything you need, so as not to add unnecessary burden both physically and emotionally.
Abortions are safest when carried out as early as possible and so time is of the essence. Another benefit of ordering abortion pills online with a private clinic is that there are no waiting lists. When opting to have an abortion through the NHS, you may need to wait weeks to get an appointment, but private clinics don’t have waiting lists and you can sometimes be seen the very same day. This is another worry off your mind.
You should consider the cost of abortion pill. Although public healthcare services provide abortions for free, many women find that the benefits provided by private clinics are preferred.
The downsides of ordering abortion pills online
Due to the high demand for abortion pills by post, many unregulated service providers have flooded the market with cheap pills, which can be both ineffective and dangerous. Therefore, it is highly recommended to research your clinic before contacting them. Although the risks associated with medical abortion pills are small, as with any medical treatment, there are risks. A good clinic will ensure they speak with you before sending the pills, and will offer comprehensive guidance on both what to expect during the process, and about what to do in case of emergency.
Another drawback of medical abortion is that in some cases, even after following the steps properly, the abortion may not fully complete. This risk is not exclusive to pills by post and holds true for all medical abortions. If such an instance occurs, an additional surgical abortion procedure may be required, in which a gentle suction is used to remove retained tissue from the uterus. However, cases of this are rare and abortion pills are generally considered to be the safest way to terminate an unwanted pregnancy.
What do the experts say?
Medical abortion is a well-studied medical treatment, and research shows time and time again that abortion pills Mifepristone and Misoprostol are safe and chance of hospitalisation is very rare.
Some women may not be eligible for medical abortion due to existing health conditions or medications which can increase the risks of the procedure. This may include conditions like anaemia, heart disease, kidney disease, and medications like anti-corticosteroids. This is why it’s important to have a consultation, so your healthcare professional can assess your risk.
Terminating your pregnancy
An unwanted pregnancy can be a cause of worry and stress on many fronts. No two women are the same and reasons for choosing to terminate a pregnancy can vary greatly. At what is often an emotionally charged time, taking the time to find a reputable clinic that will support you through all stages of pregnancy termination can help bring you peace of mind
