3 Things to Know if You Are Considering Mail-Order Abortion

January 15, 2026

While the mail-order abortion pill is legal in Minnesota, there are a few things to know before choosing it for the sake of convenience.

Purchasing drugs that induce abortions online poses significant risks to your health. You deserve to learn about all options and assess how you can safeguard your well-being before making a decision.

At Amnion Women’s Center, we offer free, confidential appointments to give you a comprehensive look at your pregnancy options. Schedule an appointment today to get your questions answered. In the meantime, keep reading to learn the three things you should know before pursuing a mail-order abortion.

1. Your Health Matters Before Any Abortion Decision

Before considering abortion drugs, it’s important to consider the potential impacts on your health.

Mail-order abortion typically skips in-person care, and you may receive these drugs after a single telehealth appointment. What’s more, there’s no way of guaranteeing that you’ve received the correct dosage or even the correct drug, which is why the FDA warns against this method. They note that the quality, safety, and effectiveness of these drugs cannot be guaranteed.

2. You Need to Gather Important Information

Online abortion providers usually do not require an ultrasound before sending abortion drugs. Without an ultrasound, there is no way to confirm whether the pregnancy is still developing. Some women experience an early miscarriage without realizing it, and abortion drugs would not be the appropriate treatment in that case.

Additionally, the abortion pill is FDA-approved only through 10 weeks (70 days) of pregnancy. Taking these drugs after that timeframe increases the risk of heavy bleeding, infection, and incomplete abortion, especially without medical supervision.

Because pregnancy dating can be inaccurate without an ultrasound, women who order abortion drugs online may unknowingly take them too late. Confirming gestational age with professional care is an essential step in protecting your health.

An ultrasound also confirms the location of the pregnancy. If a pregnancy is ectopic (developing outside the uterus), abortion pills will not resolve the condition, and immediate medical care is required. Skipping this step can place your health and life at risk.

3. Abortion Drugs Have Inherent Risks and Side Effects

Abortion drugs cause bleeding and cramping, but many women describe being unprepared for their severity. Additionally, other side effects may include:

• Fever or chills
• Headaches
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Upset stomach

Taking abortion drugs is also associated with specific risks like heavy bleeding, infection, or an incomplete abortion (when pregnancy tissue remains, sometimes requiring additional medical procedures).

Without medical oversight from a licensed healthcare professional, you may be unaware of the difference between expected side effects and warning signs of something more serious.

You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone

Mail-order abortion can bypass critical safeguards designed to protect women’s health. At Amnion Women’s Center, we offer free, confidential services, including ultrasounds performed by a licensed nurse, so you can fully understand your pregnancy before making any decision.

Our advocates are also here to provide accurate information on abortion and all your options and answer your questions.

Schedule your free, confidential appointment today to get the clarity you deserve.

Amnion Women’s Center does not provide or refer for abortions.

All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.