An unexpected pregnancy can put anyone in a rather difficult spot, even if you don’t consider the travel, taking time out from life and, of course, the privacy question. When you factor in all those things, the question becomes less about whether you can have an abortion, but more about whether you can do it without sacrificing your life or setting foot inside a clinic.
Fortunately, the answer to that latter problem is actually yes. If you are eligible for an early medical abortion, you can have the consultation remotely and receive the pills from approved providers. If this has raised some more questions in your mind, don’t worry. Let’s enter the world of at-home medication abortions, find out how safe it is, and explore what the whole process looks like from start to finish.
Is it safe and legal to have an abortion at home?
As long as the pills are arranged through an approved service provider and you meet the basic eligibility criteria for it, you can have an abortion at home with absolutely no issues. This is a change that has come thanks to the recent pandemic, which forced the UK government to legalise remote abortion services across the country. Now, in England and Wales, telemedicine has practically become a key part of abortion care for women with a pregnancy up to 10 weeks. Your healthcare professional will need to assess your medical history and pregnancy duration and identify any warning signs. Once they give you the green light, you’ll be able to get the medications delivered to your place via post.
There is a reason why a bit of emphasis was placed on that last part. It’s because of a common misunderstanding among women that home abortion means that you are left to deal with everything on your own. That’s not the case. It’s just that most providers are still going to be in charge of your care, explaining how and when to take the medication, telling you what symptoms to expect, and giving you explicit instructions on when to seek help. Some even stay in touch with you throughout the whole process via video or telephonic conversation. At the same time, though, if there is any uncertainty surrounding your pregnancy- say, in terms of your dates or symptoms that suggest an ectopic pregnancy- you may still need to attend for an in-person assessment to be considered eligible for the pills.
One thing you should absolutely not do is buy your pills from unregulated websites or overseas sellers. Both of these are extremely unsafe options, especially if they don’t even involve a consultation to confirm your eligibility.
How does the pills-by-post process work from start to finish?
Once you get in touch with an abortion provider, the process is actually quite simple, much more straightforward than people expect. We will start with a telephone call or a video consultation with a qualified clinician, during which they will ask about your medical history, the first day of your last menstrual period, your symptoms, and whether a medical abortion at home is suitable for your current situation.
Once you are confirmed to be eligible, the medications will be sent to your address in a discreet package, along with detailed instructions, pain relief advice, and emergency contact information. If you are looking to get abortion pill by post at The Gynae Centre, a UK Government approved abortion clinic in London, you can expect the pills to arrive within a day or two of getting the confirmation. It will also be paired with consultant-led care and follow-up support for up to 4 weeks should you face any complications afterwards.
As for the treatment itself, it will involve taking two medicines 24 to 48 hours apart. The first one, Mifepristone, will stop the pregnancy from developing, while the second, Misoprostol, will help the uterus empty itself. This will be followed by a bit of bleeding and cramping, both of which are expected side effects of taking the second pill.
What should you expect regarding recovery, side effects, and aftercare?
As mentioned just now, expect a bit of cramping and bleeding to accompany the few hours after you take the second medication. It’s actually how you know the treatment is working. These cramps will be a little stronger than your typical period, especially for the first couple of hours, though everyone’s experience can be a bit different. If you’re struggling, you can always rely on pain relief meds such as ibuprofen.
Bleeding will generally be the heaviest during the first day of taking Misoprostol and will taper off over the following days and weeks. Generally speaking, you might experience a bit of spotting for up to 2 weeks after taking the second pill. You may also experience tiredness, nausea, diarrhoea, chills, or a mild fever for a short time after taking Misoprostol. Again, these are expected and generally quite short-lived, so there is nothing for you to worry about.
What can be worrisome are serious complications like heavy bleeding that soaks multiple pads for several hours, severe pain that doesn’t improve with medication, persistent fever, foul-smelling discharge, and feeling unwell. All of these are major warning signs and call for immediate medical attention. You should get in touch with your provider as soon as possible or rush to your nearest A&E if any of these things happen.
Once a few weeks have passed, your provider may ask you to take another pregnancy test to confirm that the abortion has been successful. If your result is positive, you’ll be asked to get back in touch so further assessment can be arranged to complete the process.
Get in touch with an abortion provider without any fear
Having an abortion without ever having to visit a clinic is no longer something unusual. It’s a process many women have already undertaken across the UK. As long as it’s arranged through a regular care provider, the whole thing plays out quite smoothly and with very few problems.
If you’re still unsure whether you’re eligible, the safest and best thing you can do right now is speak with an approved abortion service. That service can guide you through your options without prejudice and help you choose the approach that is safest for you. Take that first step without any fear or hesitation. Once you do so, you will come out on the other side ready to return to your regular life with total confidence.