At Home Abortion
At-Home Abortion
An at-home abortion is a personal choice that involves taking a series of pills to terminate a pregnancy. Known as a chemical abortion or the Abortion Pill, an at-home abortion does not require surgery or anesthesia. The medications (mifepristone and misoprostol) work together to end a pregnancy and expel the fetus and other products of conception from a woman’s body. The abortion pill is available for women within 10 weeks of their last menstrual period.
Safety, Ultrasounds, and Florida Abortion Law
Your health and well-being are essential, and it is crucial for you to know as much as possible about your options before moving forward. Florida law requires a woman to have an ultrasound before any abortion. While this may seem unnecessary or invasive, there are valid reasons for this requirement:
According to the FDA, the abortion pill is not a safe option for those who
- have an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside of the uterus). The abortion pill is ineffective in ending an ectopic pregnancy, which can be life-threatening if not properly treated. A positive pregnancy test does not tell you if you have an intrauterine pregnancy; an ultrasound does.
- have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place (it must be removed before taking Mifeprex)
- have had an allergic reaction to mifepristone, misoprostol, or similar drugs
- have bleeding problems or are taking anticoagulant (blood thinning) drug products
- have problems with the adrenal glands (the glands near the kidneys)
- are currently being treated with long-term corticosteroid therapy (medications)
Other safety considerations:
- You need to know exactly how far along you are before taking the pill. The abortion pill is only approved for use through 10 weeks gestation (no more than 70 days from your last menstrual period). The most accurate way to determine gestational age is through an ultrasound. Being off by even a few days may mean that the abortion pill may not end your pregnancy.
- You should find out if it is a viable pregnancy. Up to 25% of known pregnancies will end naturally in miscarriage. This usually happens within the first 13 weeks. Having a positive pregnancy test does not mean you have a viable pregnancy.
- You should make sure you don’t have an STD. Untreated STDs or infections can cause severe complications for those who have an abortion. We strongly recommend getting tested for STDs before having an abortion.
Before you make an abortion decision, schedule a no-cost pre-abortion screening at Women’s Help Center today.
Before spending money on an at-home abortion, you should have a pre-abortion screening. Women’s Help Center may be able to provide you with a free ultrasound scan as part of your screening and pregnancy verification. We will also talk with you about your options. To schedule your free appointment, call or text 904-885-8864.
- 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
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.
- 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
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.
Telehealth Abortions
Some women choose a telehealth professional to determine their eligibility for the abortion pill. This is sometimes referred to as Plan C. While this may seem convenient, a telehealth professional does not perform an ultrasound and cannot determine factors critical to the type of abortion a woman can have. A telehealth examiner cannot rule out a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy without an ultrasound. Getting a pre-abortion screening and ultrasound before making your pregnancy decision is essential.
Our staff will conduct the screening and discuss your options with you. Knowing all the facts and associated risks before starting the abortion procedure is vital.
What Happens During an At Home Abortion?
Many women choose an at-home abortion because they think it will be easier than having a surgical abortion. The first pill, mifepristone, is given at a doctor’s office or clinic and blocks a woman’s progesterone (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 cause labor contractions. Misoprostol often causes severe cramping and heavy bleeding as the body expels the contents of the uterus. Taking these pills comes with potential risks and side effects. Should the chemical abortion not work, women may need a follow-up surgical abortion.
Knowing all the facts will help you make the best decision for you!
What to do first: Schedule a Pregnancy Evaluation and talk with our staff about your options. Are you wondering what happens to your body after you take the abortion pill at home? Or, what to expect after taking the abortion pill at home?
You need to be aware that the pill used for home abortion has a “black box” warning, which is the highest level of caution the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) puts on medication. See the full notice here: This warning is found on the FDA label:
- Do Not Buy Mifeprex Over the Internet
- You should not buy Mifeprex over the Internet because you will bypass necessary safeguards to protect your health.
- Mifeprex has special safety restrictions on how it is distributed to the public. Also, drugs purchased from foreign Internet sources are not FDA-approved versions of the drugs and are not subject to FDA-regulated manufacturing controls or FDA inspection of manufacturing facilities.
Note: The abortion pills for a medical abortion are different from emergency contraception, sometimes called the “morning-after pill” or Plan B. Ask your licensed medical provider to explain the difference between the two or contact them if you have questions.
Chemical abortion has not been shown to affect future pregnancies unless complications develop. If you’re considering this procedure, make sure you understand what it entails, 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.
Why Choose Women’s Help Center?
Women’s Help Center provides a pre-abortion screening at no cost, which will confirm several things:
- Determine fetal age (a positive pregnancy test does not mean you have a viable pregnancy)
- Determine viability of the pregnancy (up to 25% of known pregnancies may end in miscarriage)
- Rule out ectopic pregnancy (which in some cases can be fatal)
Our licensed medical professionals will conduct the screening, and our staff can discuss your options. Knowing all the facts and associated risks before starting the abortion procedure is vital for your well-being.
Answers to Common Questions:
Q: How Much Does the Abortion Pill Cost in Florida?
The abortion pill can cost between $249 – $800, depending on the service provider. Costs may include lab work, an exam, and a follow-up visit. If the abortion pill fails and your pregnancy continues, you may also have to pay for a second, surgical abortion.
Q: What are “Missed Period” Pills?
Missed Period pill is another name for the abortion pill. Some people may think it might help them psychologically if they’re unsure about abortion. Regardless of its name, you should know that it is an abortion.
If you’re having second thoughts after taking the first abortion pill, mifepristone, it may not be too late to keep your pregnancy. Women’s Help Center provides the Abortion Pill Reversal at no cost to you. If you are interested in starting the reversal procedure, please call or text 904-885-8864 or call the hotline at 877-558-0333. For more information, go to: www.abortionpillreversal.com.
Do you have other questions? Call or text us today at 904-885-8864.