Call Us

Before Your Appointment

You need to know your options.

We’re looking forward to meeting you. Before your appointment, we would like to share a few common questions and some health and safety tips from our medical team.   

Health & Safety Checklist Before an Abortion

While online ordering or drive-by pickups seem fast and easy, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) do not recommend ordering prescription drugs online or purchasing pills from unsafe providers. 

There has been a large increase in long-term side-effects in recent years. Emergency complications and taking unknown drugs of any kind can put your health at risk. 

The Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC) issued a groundbreaking report that shows 1 in 10 women experienced serious adverse effects from a chemical abortion (the abortion pill). That is twenty-two times higher than the rate reported in clinical trials cited by the FDA. These events include serious complications like sepsis, hemorrhaging, infection, hospitalization, and even surgery. 

At Westbank Pregnancy & Family Care Center, we have also heard many similar stories from our clients that we are now making sure women know more before their appointment with us. Your health and safety steps include: 

  1. Confirm a viable pregnancy. 
    • We offer a free ultrasound scan to help detect if the pregnancy is developing in the right place and if further diagnostic measures are potentially necessary.
    • You would not want to take any kind of abortion pills if you are having a miscarriage. 
  2. Determine how far along you are. 
    • This can rule out certain pregnancy options, including the abortion pill, which is only approved through early pregnancy up to ten weeks pregnant.
    • We often see women who are further along than they think. This is a crucial safety step. 
  3. Talk through your medical history. 
    • With any drug, side effects can vary greatly. We will talk through the risks, complications, and what to expect.
    • Do you have an IUD? Have you been tested for STDs? Questions like this should be answered before any type of abortion and certain medical steps may need to be taken.

One of the biggest benefits of starting with us is that you can ask questions and get answers without any pressure or cost involved! We’re here to put you first.

If you have questions in the meantime, contact us.  

Schedule Appointment

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 with no instructions

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 alone, the risks increase dramatically. 

You Are Not a Transaction and Your Health Should Not Be Either.

Talk to us at your appointment if you have already ordered pills and are not sure what to do next.

Possible Complications to Avoid

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 if unexpected complications arise alone at home, or if you felt pressured into an unwanted abortion
  • Uterine rupture is extremely rare but more likely in later pregnancies

Other side effects can be fever, nausea, vomiting, cramping, contractions, and more. 

We can discuss: 

  • What to expect during and after an abortion (and what to do if there are complications)
  • The location and type of pregnancy (if your ultrasound is on the same day) and what that means for you 
  • Recovery after an abortion
  • Other pregnancy options, free resources and aid available
  • Options if you only take one abortion pill and change your mind 

If you have other questions, we’re happy to talk through anything you need to at your upcoming appointment. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon! 

 

Schedule Appointment

References

Autry, B. M., & Wadhwa, R. (2024). Mifepristone. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557612/

Support After Abortion. (n.d.). Coping with regret after abortion. Support After Abortion. https://supportafterabortion.com/blog/coping-with-regret-after-abortion/

Rigterink, E. S., Saftlas, A. F., & Atrash, H. K. (2013). Induced abortion. In M. B. Goldman & R. Troisi (Eds.), Women and health (pp. 235–250). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-384978-6.00016-9

Induced abortion. (n.d.). PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10944371/

Westbank Pregnancy Center

Learn More

Westbank Pregnancy Center

We are here to help.

If you or someone you love is facing an unexpected pregnancy and are in need of information regarding options, emotional support or resources, we are here to help you.  Call (504)227-9090 during our office hours or fill out the contact form and someone will get in touch with you as soon as possible.

Make an Appointment