An online abortion happens when a physician prescribes abortion medications to a woman after a telehealth appointment. She can then pick up the drugs at a local pharmacy or by mail to self-abort at home.
In Tennessee, abortion is illegal, with narrow exceptions that include life endangerment. Because of this, telehealth abortions are not permissible in our state. In addition to our state restrictions, there are also other risks involved you should know.
Online Abortions Skip Important Health Screenings
Online abortion exams skip essential health screenings, like requiring pregnancy testing. An in-person exam would also include an ultrasound, which reveals:
- Pregnancy Age: This is helpful because, even if conducting the abortion out of state, the abortion pill is only FDA-approved up to 10 weeks of gestational age.
- Pregnancy status: Confirming the pregnancy’s viability is vital so you know you don’t need to be treated for a miscarriage.
- Pregnancy Location: Knowing the location can alert you to health complications, such as an ectopic pregnancy.
What Are the Risks?
Even if you’re considering going out of state, there are other risks to consider before pursuing other options. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are certain situations in which you should not seek an online abortion:
- If you are later than nine weeks into your pregnancy
- If you have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place
- If you have certain medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders, heart or blood vessel diseases, etc.
- If you take a blood thinner or certain steroid medications
- If you don’t have access to emergency care
If you do not have any of these pre-existing conditions, potential risks of medical abortion include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
What are My Options?
Oasis Medical offers free medical services like pregnancy testing, limited obstetrical ultrasounds, and STD testing and treatment.
We also offer consultations where you can ask questions and learn about local resources in a compassionate, pressure-free environment.
Contact us today to make a confidential appointment! Our medical staff is here to help you.