Maybe you've heard about an online abortion or at-home abortion. If you're in an unplanned pregnancy, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure about what to do. Before you make a decision, it is important that you understand whether an online abortion or at-home abortion is safe.

NOVA Pregnancy Help Centers are here to answer your questions so you can make a safe, informed decision. Here are some important things to know about an at-home or online abortion.

What is an at-home or online abortion?

An at-home or online abortion is a medical abortion. As the name implies, you take medication to end your pregnancy at home. Mifepristone and misoprostol are the two abortion pills used. (Some people also call this procedure the abortion pill.)

How does an at-home abortion work?

First, the woman takes mifepristone to stop her body from naturally producing progesterone, which is a growth hormone. The lack of progesterone causes the fetus to die in the woman’s uterus. Then a day or two later, she would take misoprostol, which causes her body to cramp and push the fetus out of her uterus.

Even though these abortion pills are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they are also being sold online illegally by unknown providers. Purchasing medications online is risky and, if taken, can be dangerous to your health. Always speak with a doctor to get a prescription for the abortion pill.

What are the side effects and risks of an at-home abortion?

Any time you take medication, there are possible side effects and risks. For a medical abortion, the more intense side effects usually start after taking the second pill, misoprostol.

Side effects and risks of a medical abortion include:

Heavy bleeding with large blood clots
Heavy cramping, pain
Nausea
Diarrhea, Vomiting
Headache, Dizziness
Infection, Chills/Fever

If you experience any of these severe symptoms below, call 911 or go to the ER:

Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours
Severe abdominal or back pain
Fever lasting more than 24 hours
Foul-smelling vaginal discharge

After a medical abortion at-home, you would need a follow-up visit with your doctor to make sure you're healing properly and to evaluate your uterus and any signs of infection. To reduce the risk of infection, don't have vaginal intercourse or use tampons for two weeks after the abortion.

DO NOT have an at-home abortion if you :

Are too far along in your pregnancy- do not attempt a medical abortion if you have been pregnant more than 9 weeks (after the start of your last period).
Have an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control- An IUD is a small plastic T-shape type of birth control. It's inserted into your uterus to prevent pregnancy. Many doctors suggest this be removed before you get an abortion

May have an ectopic pregnancy- An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg gets attached outside your uterus, sometimes in the fallopian tube. If it grows, it is very dangerous. Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain. If you think you may have an ectopic pregnancy, go to the ER immediately.
Have a blood clotting disorder or take blood thinners- The abortion pill causes heavy bleeding, so if you take blood thinners or have a blood clotting disorder, this is a huge risk for you.

Before you decide

Having an online or at-home medical abortion is not just a simple decision. It may cause emotional, physical, and psychological challenges for you. Learn about your alternatives before deciding. And if you are thinking of having an at-home abortion, take these steps first for your safety:

Get a pregnancy test- Even if you've skipped your last period or had a positive at-home pregnancy test, it's always good to get another test.
Get an ultrasound- An ultrasound tells you how far along you are in your pregnancy. This is important because you can't have an online or at-home abortion if you're over 10 weeks along. The ultrasound can confirm if the pregnancy is viable (living). It can also detect things like an ectopic pregnancy which can be very dangerous.
Get tested for sexually transmitted infections- Every year, millions of women get syphilis, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and gonorrhea and don’t know it because they may not have symptoms. Get tested for an STI before you have a medical abortion. Sexually transmitted infections spread through anal, oral, and vaginal contact. If you have symptoms such as vaginal itching, unusual discharges, a rash, or pain, it could mean you have an STI.

NOVA Pregnancy Help Centers provide free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds and STI testing by appointment. Before you get a medical abortion, take these steps to protect your health.

What if I start an at-home abortion and change my mind?

If you have already taken the first pill of a medical abortion, you may be able to reverse your abortion by something called the abortion pill reversal.

Mifepristone, the first abortion pill that you take, blocks your body's progesterone. But when you take the abortion pill reversal, it replaces the progesterone and stops the death of the fetus in your uterus. But the reversal must start within 24-72 hours from taking mifepristone (the sooner the better). Contact us at NOVA Pregnancy Help Centers and we can help you find a doctor who administers the abortion pill reversal nearby.

The abortion pill reversal is safe. The major ingredient in it is progesterone, which doctors have been prescribing for women's pregnancies for over 50 years. Experienced Ob/Gyn doctors say the abortion pill reversal is effective to help reverse the effects of the abortion pill if you change your mind.

Whether or not you decide to have a medical abortion, we are here for you! You’re not alone. We help over 700 women a year and provide up-to-date medical care and information to protect your health. Let us know if we can help you. Please contact us at our Fairfax clinic (703-278-5433) or Alexandria clinic (703-470-7800) or on novapregnancy.org .

Is an At-Home or Online Abortion Safe?