This is a frequent question among women in Kittitas County, WA. While you can legally order abortion pills online, there are inherent risks involved. The DEA and FDA warn against buying drugs or medications from online providers due to a lack of safety measures. Abortion pills provided by online companies in the U.S., Mexico, or other countries have the risk of being laced with additional drugs, including fentanyl and other lethal drugs or medications, because there is little to no oversight.
No matter how convenient Zoom meetings and online ordering are, when it comes to reproductive health, abortion pills by mail are not a safe choice. Care Net Pregnancy Center of Kittitas County recommends an in-person medical consultation and an ultrasound before you decide.
How does the abortion pill work?
The abortion pill is typically a regimen of two different drugs taken in two separate doses. The first drug blocks progesterone production in the woman’s body so the pregnancy stops progressing. The second drug works by inducing contractions to expel the contents of your uterus. Reversal is possible if action is taken after the first dose if you change your mind.
After both drugs have been taken, you can expect:
- Bleeding, cramping, and contractions between one and four hours after the second pill, lasting days to over a week
- Heavy bleeding with blood clots for several hours
- Heavy cramping for several hours
- A low fever or chills lasting about a day after the second pill
- Nausea and dizziness
Other risks of a chemical abortion include: incomplete abortion, large life-threatening blood clots or continuous bleeding, high fever and infection, diarrhea and digestive pain, vomiting, ulcers, severe pelvic pain, sepsis, rupturing of the uterus, and allergic reactions. If you experience these, contact 911 immediately. In rare cases, it can be fatal.
Can anyone take the abortion pill?
The abortion pill is NOT an option if you:
- Are more than ten weeks pregnant
- Have an intrauterine device (IUD)
- Have a suspected ectopic pregnancy
- Have bleeding disorders, heart or blood vessel diseases, severe liver, kidney, or lung disease, or an uncontrolled seizure disorder
- Take a blood thinner or certain steroid medications
- Cannot make follow-up visits or don’t have access to emergency care
- Have an allergy to the drugs in the abortion pill regimen
What’s next?
Your health and safety are our priority. Make an appointment today to determine how far along you are and talk to our staff about your options in Kittitas County. All our services are offered at no cost to you.