Woman sitting by a window writing in a notebook while considering mail-order abortion and reviewing pregnancy information.

3 Things to Know if You Are Considering Mail-Order Abortion

Ordering abortion pills online may seem like a straightforward option, but there are medical factors worth understanding before moving forward.

Florida Abortion Pill Info is a free resource for anyone navigating questions about the abortion pill in Florida, covering risks, side effects, and what to know before taking it.

You deserve accurate information without pressure. Browse our FAQs, read the facts, or find care nearby to speak with someone confidentially.

Here is what to know before considering ordering the abortion pill online.

1. Mail-Order Abortion Skips Key Medical Safeguards

In many cases, obtaining abortion pills by mail does not include an in-person medical evaluation. As a result, important factors such as your health history, current medical conditions, and potential risk factors may not be reviewed before the drugs are dispensed.

There is also no way to verify how abortion drugs obtained online were manufactured, handled, labeled, stored, dosed, or shipped before they reached you. Without that verification, there may be questions about the drug’s quality, potency, and safety.

For this reason, the FDA does not recommend purchasing Mifepristone online.

2. A Pregnancy Test Alone Does Not Give You the Full Picture

Before taking abortion drugs, confirming key details about your pregnancy through an ultrasound is an important medical step. An ultrasound can tell you:

  • How far along is the pregnancy
  • Whether the pregnancy is developing or if a miscarriage has already occurred
  • Whether the pregnancy is located within the uterus

Each of these factors has direct safety implications. Abortion pills are FDA-approved only through 10 weeks* of gestation, and without an ultrasound, gestational age can be miscalculated.

An ultrasound can also identify an ectopic pregnancy, a potentially life-threatening condition where the pregnancy implants outside the uterus, most often in a fallopian tube. Abortion drugs will not treat an ectopic pregnancy. Without diagnosis and prompt care, an ectopic pregnancy can become a medical emergency.

3. The Abortion Pill Carries Risks

The abortion pill involves significant cramping and bleeding as the uterus expels the pregnancy. Some women report the pain as unexpectedly severe, comparable in intensity to labor.

Other side effects can include nausea or vomiting, fever or chills, diarrhea, and headaches.

More serious risks include heavy bleeding, infection, and incomplete abortion that may require additional medical care. Without in-person medical oversight, it can be difficult to distinguish expected symptoms from complications that need urgent care.

Find Local Care Before You Decide

Did you know free and confidential pregnancy services are available across Florida? Florida Abortion Pill Info can help you find a local provider for pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and in-person support, so you have the information you need before making any decisions.

Search today to find care near you.

*Abortion is currently legal in Florida up to six weeks of pregnancy. This means certain procedures may not be available in this state.