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Why Does an Ultrasound Matter if I’m Considering Abortion?
Even if you are thinking about abortion, an ultrasound is essential to provide you with key details about your pregnancy that will reveal which options are available to you.
Traveling out of state to get the abortion pill is a choice you can make, but it’s essential to find out if you’re eligible for the drugs since they aren’t an option for everyone.
In certain situations, taking the abortion drugs can leave you vulnerable to physical risks. If following health conditions apply to you, you should not take the abortion drugs:
- Your pregnancy is beyond 10 weeks gestation.
- You have an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place.
- You have a suspected ectopic pregnancy, which is when the pregnancy grows outside your uterus.
- You have certain medical conditions, including: bleeding disorders, certain heart or blood vessel diseases, severe liver, kidney, or lung disease, or an uncontrolled seizure disorder.
- You take a blood thinner or certain steroid medicines.
- You can’t make follow-up visits to your provider or don’t have access to emergency care.
- You have an allergy to the medicine used.
This list isn’t complete, so it’s vital to speak with a healthcare provider about your unique medical history and situation to see if the abortion drugs are an option for you before traveling out of state.
Can I Get the Abortion Pill Online Instead of Traveling?
Abortion is banned in Texas under Chapter 170A of the Texas Health & Safety Code, except if the woman’s life is in danger, but the licensed physician performing the abortion must make every attempt to save the fetus’s life. This would likely be performed in a hospital setting without time to receive abortion pills online.
Since you cannot legally receive the abortion pill in Texas, you might wonder if you can still order the abortion drugs online. While you cannot legally buy the abortion pill online in Texas, you will not be held criminally or civilly liable if you choose to do so. However, the FDA advises against obtaining the abortion drugs outside the US supply chain as they cannot guarantee the safety, quality, and effectiveness of the drugs.
How Can I Protect My Health?
Getting an ultrasound is the most important way to protect your health during pregnancy—especially if you’re considering taking the abortion pill.
Ultrasound is a simple scan that can help determine key details about your pregnancy. These details include:
- Age. This is a necessary detail if you’re considering taking the abortion drugs since they are only FDA-approved if your pregnancy is under 10 weeks gestation.
- Location. This will help rule out ectopic pregnancy, which is a life-threatening situation that needs emergency medical treatment.
- Pregnancy progression. This will help determine if your pregnancy has signs of life, which is important considering an estimated 26% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. If you’ve experienced a miscarriage, you should not take the abortion pill.
To find free ultrasound locations in your area, type your zip code into the search box on the Find Support page.