Steps you should consider first!
With the FDA approval of the abortion pill by mail, there are many clinics and companies offering the sale of the abortion pill with just a telemedicine visit. Although this might sound convenient and improve your access to the pill, there are some very important steps you should consider taking first.
Have you received an ultrasound?
Although a pregnancy test confirms the amount of HCG (a hormone produced in pregnancy) in the urine or blood, there can be other medical reasons for a positive pregnancy test.
An ultrasound is the only true way to
- confirm a pregnancy
- confirm that the pregnancy is viable
- confirm that the pregnancy is located in the uterus.
If a pregnancy is forming outside of the uterus, this is called an ectopic pregnancy and it is a life-threatening condition. An abortion is not used to treat an ectopic pregnancy. Furthermore, symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy and possible side effects of the abortion pill regime can be similar (severe pain, cramping, vaginal bleeding, etc) – making it hard to distinguish between the two. Therefore, it’s important to rule out an ectopic pregnancy before taking the abortion pill.
How far along are you really?
An ultrasound is also important to determine exactly how far along the pregnancy is (known as the gestational age). Studies have shown that using your last menstrual period to date gestational age is oftentimes inaccurate. Menstrual cycles are rarely regular, ovulation can be delayed, the exact date of conception is almost impossible to determine (sperm can live in your body for up to 5 days!), and early pregnancy bleeding is sometimes mistaken as a menstrual period.
Since the abortion pill is only approved up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, it is important to have an ultrasound to pinpoint the gestational age so you know exactly what abortion procedure you qualify for. Taking the abortion pill after 10 weeks gestation may not be effective and could cause complications.
Have you had STD testing?
If the abortion pill doesn’t complete the abortion, a second abortion procedure would be needed. Since the second procedure is likely more invasive, untreated STDs could cause complications and more severe infections. That’s why it’s important to be tested and treated for STDs before undergoing an abortion.
We want you to be safe in the decisions you make! Please make an appointment at Focus Women’s Center in McHenry, Illinois to receive a free ultrasound and STD testing before taking the abortion pill by mail!
Call or text 815-322-1585 to meet with a nurse.
If you have taken the first dose of the abortion pill and are now second-guessing your decision, find out more about Abortion Pill Reversal.
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