Abortion Pill by Mail

Abortion Pill by Mail

You may have heard that some places offer at-home abortions with the abortion pill by mail. These pills may not always be effective or safe, and here’s why:

Abortion pills bought without a prescription are not FDA approved and risk being contaminated, counterfeit, or containing varying ingredients. Also, according to the FDA, it is illegal to order the pills without having a prescription.

The FDA also advises against buying abortion pills over the internet because you risk bypassing important safety guards that protect your health.

The steps for mail-order abortions generally include booking an online appointment for a telehealth visit where you will speak with a provider who will ask you questions. If you meet their criteria for the abortion pill, you should receive the pills by mail within 24 – 72 hours. You then start the abortion pill procedure at-home and follow-up with a telehealth clinician.

Not all abortions by mail are conducted through telehealth. Some online providers require only a questionnaire to be submitted and no follow-up telehealth visit. The cost may be lower, but the risks are higher.

In either case, it is important that you have a pre-abortion screening before making your decision. The licensed medical professionals at Women’s Help Center will conduct the screening, and our staff can discuss your options with you. Knowing all the facts before starting the abortion procedure is vital. Call or text 904-885-8864.

A: The FDA has authorized the use of the abortion pill up to 70 days (10 weeks) after the first day of a woman’s most-recent menstrual cycle. The abortion pill is not an option in certain situations, including:
  • If it has been more than 70 days since your last period
  • You have certain medical conditions, including certain heart or blood vessel diseases; severe liver, kidney, or lung disease; an uncontrolled seizure disorder; or certain other medical conditions
  • You are on a blood thinner or certain steroid medications
  • You have an intrauterine device (IUD)
  • Have a suspected pregnancy outside of the uterus (ectopic pregnancy)
  • You may have an allergy to the abortion medications used
Florida law requires a woman to have an ultrasound 24 hours before starting any type of abortion (pill or surgical). This is an important step that confirms the viability and gestational age of the pregnancy. Women’s Help Center provides ultrasounds at no charge to help you know what’s going on with your pregnancy. It is important to note that the FDA has issued a Black Box Warning stating that the abortion pill should not be purchased over the internet because of possible risks to a woman’s safety and health. (1)
A: The abortion pill is legal in Florida for up to 10 weeks gestation. Before getting the abortion pill, call us to get all the facts. 

A: A chemical abortion involves a series of pills to terminate a pregnancy and does not require surgery or anesthesia. The medications (mifepristone and misoprostol) work together to end and expel a pregnancy from a woman’s body. The first pill, mifepristone, is given at a doctor’s office or clinic and blocks a woman’s progesterone, which is the hormone a woman’s body needs to develop a fetus. The second pill, misoprostol, is taken approximately one to two days later and will generate labor contractions. Misoprostol can cause severe cramping and heavy bleeding as the body expels the contents of the uterus.

If you’re considering this procedure, make sure you understand the possible side effects, risks, complications, and alternatives. Women’s Help Center will guide and support you to help you make an informed decision about your pregnancy.

A: Women who have taken the first abortion pill dose should follow their healthcare provider’s instructions and be aware of the associated risks and complications that can occur, including:
  • sustained fever, severe abdominal pain, prolonged heavy bleeding, or fainting
  • abdominal pain or discomfort, or general malaise (“feeling sick,” including weakness, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, with or without fever)
  • an incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed with a surgical abortion
  • an ongoing pregnancy if the abortion pill doesn’t work

A: Prices vary by provider. The cost of an abortion depends on the type of abortion you are considering and the gestational age of the pregnancy (how far along you are). The state of Florida restricts insurance (both private and state-funded Medicaid) from covering the cost of abortion, except in the cases of rape, incest, or if a woman’s life is in danger.

Florida requires you to have an ultrasound 24 hours before an abortion. Women’s Help Center provides free ultrasounds and pregnancy tests as a service to help you know for sure what’s going on with your pregnancy, including:

  • How far along you are
  • If the pregnancy is in the uterus
  • If there is a fetal heartbeat
A: The abortion pill is a powerful drug with the risk of some severe side effects (2) As such, the FDA has approved it for use only with the prescription and oversight of a licensed doctor. (1) While this does not specifically exclude obtaining the abortion pill online, it does mean that patients still need to consult with a doctor who is licensed to prescribe the medication. You will also still need to receive pregnancy testing at a doctor’s office or lab for pregnancy verification, as well as an ultrasound to confirm exactly how far along the pregnancy is and to verify that the pregnancy is not ectopic or carrying other high risks of abortion complications. Make an informed decision by visiting one of our three convenient offices. Call or text 904-885-8864.
  1. Mifeprex (mifepristone) Information | FDA
  2. sNDA Approval [Rx ONLY] (COR-SNDAACTION-05) (fda.gov)
Women’s Help Center does not provide or refer for abortions.