From Our Blog
The Abortion Pill: Separating Fact from Fiction
The abortion pill goes by many names, including medical abortion, self-managed abortion, at-home abortion, mail-order abortion, online abortion, Plan C, and the list goes on.
With so much talk about the abortion pill online, there are certainly some facts and fiction you should be aware of for your health and future when considering this option.
Keep reading to learn more. If you’re pregnant, visit Woman’s New Life Clinic for early pregnancy services and professional counseling.
1. The Abortion Pill Is FDA-Approved Through Ten Weeks.
While you may see abortion providers advertising abortion pill use through twelve weeks or other lengths of time, the abortion pill is only FDA-approved through ten weeks of pregnancy.
When medical professionals do not follow the FDA’s approval guidelines, it’s called off-label drug use. Women should learn of the heightened risk of taking abortion drugs outside of FDA guidelines before proceeding.
Accurately dating your pregnancy is essential. An ultrasound scan can help you determine how far along you are and provide valuable information for your pregnancy decision.
2. The Abortion Pill Does Not Treat Ectopic Pregnancy or Miscarriage.
Often, you will see language about ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage lumped into abortion pill news stories and conversations.
However, it’s critical to note that the abortion pill is not a treatment method for either of those health conditions, nor are treatments for those conditions considered abortions.
An ectopic pregnancy is a non-viable pregnancy that implants and grows outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. This pregnancy type will not be able to develop fully and will instead pose life-threatening health risks to the woman if left untreated.
A miscarriage is a spontaneous pregnancy loss before the 20th week of pregnancy. It is not an abortion because the pregnancy has ended on its own.
Both ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage treatments are legal and available in Louisiana. Abortion laws have no effect on how medical professionals provide care for these health conditions. It’s also vital to your health to screen for these conditions early in pregnancy with an ultrasound.
3. STDs Can Spread Further into the Reproductive System During an Abortion with the Abortion Pill.
STIs/STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can spread deeper into the reproductive system when the normal barrier created by the cervix (opening of the uterus) is disturbed. Abortion is one of those circumstances and can lead to the development of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
To guard your long-term reproductive health and fertility, sexually active women should receive regular STI/STD screening, whether considering abortion or not. Untreated STDs can develop into PID even without abortion.
Take Care of Your Health
You are your best advocate for your health.
Make sure you are seeking necessary screenings for STIs/STDs and receive an ultrasound to reveal whether you have an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage requiring specialized medical treatment.
Schedule an appointment at Woman’s New Life Clinic at our Baton Rouge or New Orleans location. We’re here to listen and provide the early pregnancy and professional counseling services you deserve.
We provide free care for unplanned pregnancies, including pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, professional counseling, abortion pill reversal, and more. We also provide low-cost STD/STI testing and treatment.
Contact us today to receive the confidential care and support you need.