Can Ordering Abortion Pills Online Increase My Risk of Complications?

With information and access just a click away, women facing an unexpected pregnancy often feel overwhelmed and pressured to make quick decisions. One growing trend is searching “how to order abortion pills online.” But before you act, it’s crucial to understand the real risks behind ordering abortion pills without proper medical guidance.

As a pregnancy center, we’re here to provide medically accurate information and compassionate care. If you’re considering the online abortion pill, please read this article carefully. Your health and future matter.

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What Are Abortion Pills?

The abortion pill typically refers to a two-step medication process — mifepristone followed by misoprostol — used to terminate early pregnancies (up to 10 weeks in most FDA-approved cases). When used under medical supervision, it can be effective, but many are now looking for ways to order abortion pills online, often without a prescription, proper screening, or follow-up care.

This shift has opened the door to serious health concerns and increased complications. 

Why Asking “How to Order Abortion Pills Online” Is Risky

Googling “how to order abortion pills” leads to hundreds of websites claiming to offer discreet shipping, low costs, and privacy. But many of these sites are unregulated, based outside of the U.S., and don’t require any proof of pregnancy, medical history, or even gestational age.

This means that when a woman orders abortion pills online, she may:

• Receive the wrong dosage and increase the risk of hospitalization

• Receive pills that are mixed with other drugs

• Take pills past 10 weeks, which increases complications and can result in a failed abortion

• Miss serious health complications like an ectopic pregnancy

It’s not just about convenience — it’s about safety. Without an in-person medical exam or ultrasound confirmation, there’s no way to ensure the process is appropriate for your body and situation.

Why an Ultrasound Matters

Before taking any steps toward abortion, especially a chemical abortion using pills, a pregnancy ultrasound confirmation is essential. An ultrasound answers three critical questions:

1. Is the pregnancy viable? (Up to 20% of pregnancies end naturally in miscarriage)

2. How far along are you? (The abortion pill is only FDA-approved up to 10 weeks)

3. Is the pregnancy ectopic? (An ectopic pregnancy is life-threatening and cannot be treated with abortion pills.)

Ordering abortion pills online skips these vital checks. Without knowing how far along you are — something a pregnancy calculator or online estimate can’t confirm accurately — you may be exposing yourself to unnecessary danger.

The Hidden Dangers of Forced Miscarriage or DIY Abortion

One overlooked consequence of the abortion pill is the potential for a forced miscarriage (when someone else pressures or gives the pills to a woman without her consent). This form of abuse is illegal and dangerous, yet increasingly common with the rise of mail-order abortion pills. Some women also search “how to force or cause a miscarriage at home,” and this is also dangerous and will increase your risk of hospitalization. 

Even when taken voluntarily, a self-managed abortion at home without medical oversight can lead to:

• Hemorrhaging, blood clots, or ongoing bleeding requiring emergency care

• Incomplete abortion requiring a surgical procedure

• Infection from retained tissue

• Emotional trauma or regret, especially if unexpected complications arise alone at home, or you felt pressured into an abortion

• Uterine rupture: extremely rare but more likely in later gestations

Women often report feeling isolated, scared, and unsupported during this process at home. What’s marketed as “empowering” can become deeply traumatic.

Can You Trust What’s in the Package?

When abortion pills are obtained through unverified online sources, there is no guarantee of what you're actually receiving. Some women have reported receiving:

• Expired or counterfeit medication

• Pills with incorrect ingredients or dosages

• Medications labeled in foreign languages without instructions

This is not only unsafe — it’s illegal and can lead to serious health complications.

In one study conducted by Gynuity Health Projects, even among vetted online sources, delays in delivery and inconsistent instructions were common. When women are left to navigate a chemical abortion on their own, the risks increase dramatically.

Don’t Go It Alone: You Deserve Better

We understand that an unplanned pregnancy brings up intense emotions and hard decisions. But no woman should feel she has to go through it alone — especially not by ordering pills from a website that can’t provide in-person care, medical follow-up, or emotional support.

Before you search for “how to order abortion pills,” consider these alternatives:

• Schedule a free, confidential ultrasound confirmation

• Get information about your pregnancy, assess your health, learn more about abortion side effects, what to expect, recovery, and more

• Talk to a nurse or counselor about your options and all types of support services available if you decide to parent or pursue adoption

You are not a transaction. Your story matters, your health matters, and you deserve a safe space to talk through your options without pressure or fear.

Final Thoughts: No Abortion Is Risk-Free

Ordering abortion pills online may seem simple, but it carries hidden dangers that could affect your health and your future. Without medical supervision, women are vulnerable to physical complications, emotional trauma, and long-term side effects. The largest-known study of the abortion pill from 2017 to 2023 revealed that 1 in 10 patients had a serious adverse event after taking the abortion pill.

Your safety should never be sacrificed for convenience. Instead of Googling “how to order abortion pills,” start with real answers. Book free testing and learn how far along you are with a pregnancy confirmation appointment. 

The Care You Deserve

We’re here to help you navigate this difficult decision with the quality care you deserve. Contact us today to make an appointment.