What questions should I ask the abortion pill provider?
If you are considering the abortion pill, it’s important to understand what will happen before, during and after taking the pills. You deserve the best for your health and safety. You may wonder, “What questions should I ask the abortion pill provider?”
Let’s pause and go through some of the important questions you should consider before undergoing an abortion procedure.
Do you have a doctor who will provide care if there are side effects or complications?
The FDA label for the abortion pill lists multiple serious side effect risks, including infection or sepsis, heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, or an incomplete abortion in which pregnancy tissue remains inside the woman. A recent study of insurance claims showed that up to 11% of women experience serious complications after taking the abortion pill.
Does the doctor who prescribed the abortion pill for you offer medical care if you experience side effects or complications? Or does the doctor suggest you go to the emergency room if you experience complications?
Does the provider suggest that I don’t tell the emergency room that I took the abortion pill?
Some abortion pill providers tell patients to conceal that they took the abortion pill from other doctors, including doctors at the emergency room. They will suggest to patients to say they are having a miscarriage.
However, an induced abortion and a miscarriage are not the same. If you’ve taken the abortion pill, your body will have been altered to block progesterone from reaching your pregnancy. The second abortion pill, misoprostol, causes “uterine contractions” and “bleeding.” In a naturally-occurring miscarriage, your body will not have the effects of the drugs in the abortion pills.
One study showed that concealing the abortion pill from emergency room doctors was “more likely to result” in the woman having to have surgery to remove remaining pregnancy tissue and result in delayed care.
Another scientist warned that there is evidence that the abortion pill may “suppress the immune system.” This would make a woman more vulnerable to bacterial infection.
For reasons like these, it is advisable to be open with emergency room doctors, and you are not delayed the care you need. If your abortion pill provider suggests you withhold information from doctors, that provider may not be prioritizing your health and safety.
What is the abortion pill provider’s safety record?
Have you examined reviews of the abortion pill provider? Have patients described bad experiences or bad service from the provider? If you identify multiple bad reviews or troubling stories, consider this in your decision-making.
Are there any lawsuits against the abortion pill provider for medical violations? Consider doing a web search or deep AI search about the provider.
Is the abortion pill provider certified in the “Mifepristone REMS Program”?
The FDA specifically does not recommend buying the abortion pill online. They recommend asking your provider if they are certified in the Mifepristone REMS Program or working under the supervision of someone who is. The FDA cautions against buying the abortion pill online or buying from other countries because they “cannot ensure the safety, effectiveness, or quality of those medications.”
Does your abortion pill provider have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital?
Hospital admitting privileges is a “right granted to a doctor to admit patients to a particular hospital.” That doctor can then submit paperwork, will know your current case situation, and can provide you treatment at that hospital. This can help expedite the process to get you any medical care you may need during or after you’ve taken the abortion pill.
Has the abortion pill provider advised you to be screened for Rh Factor?
Having an abortion without knowing your blood’s “Rh factor” could jeopardize future pregnancies. When the blood of an Rh-positive fetus gets into the blood of an Rh-negative woman, her body will recognize that it does not belong and will create antibodies to fight it. This is called being Rh-sensitized. These antibodies remain in a woman’s body and could obstruct future pregnancies.
To prevent Rh-sensitization, women with an Rh-negative blood type need a special shot, called RHoGAM, any time there is a possibility that the fetus’s blood could mix with the mother’s blood, such as during an abortion. An Rh-negative woman in this situation would be advised to obtain a RHoGAM shot within 72 hours after delivery, including abortion. You may need to obtain a RhoGAM shot with your own provider.
Has your abortion provider conducted an ultrasound to check for ectopic pregnancy?
An ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilized egg implants somewhere outside the inner lining of the uterus. Ectopic pregnancy occurs in about 2% of pregnancies which is 1 in 50.
The FDA label for the abortion pill specifically says it will not be effective on an ectopic pregnancy. The “current standard for ectopic pregnancy diagnosis” includes getting a clinical assessment with an advanced ultrasound and additional testing like monitoring HCG levels.
If you were to have a suspected ectopic pregnancy, you would be advised to seek immediate medical attention.
You can obtain a free limited ultrasound at Waterleaf Women’s Center. It is confidential, and no insurance is required.
Has your abortion provider screened you for STDs?
STD testing is especially important for women considering abortion. Undiagnosed STD’s, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, can increase your long-term risks. No matter what type of abortion is performed, the cervix must open for the pregnancy to leave the body. When this happens, bacteria can move up into the uterus, increasing the risk of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). PID can result in an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and chronic pain.
You can obtain screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea at Waterleaf Women’s Center. It is confidential, and no insurance is required.
Unsure about what questions to ask the abortion pill provider? What are the next steps?
You may have other questions about the abortion pill. Or maybe you are looking for support and guidance while you consider the abortion pill. Our medical professionals at Waterleaf Women’s Center are here for you.
We can see you for a free pregnancy consultation, provide you with pregnancy confirmation and ultrasound, STD testing, and more. All of our services are free and do not require insurance.
You deserve the best care. You deserve to have your questions answered. You deserved to be informed so you can make healthy empowered decisions. Call or text us today confidentially at 630-360-2256.
