Many women assume that a positive pregnancy test is all they need before scheduling an abortion. In reality, a home pregnancy test only confirms one thing: that the hormone hCG is present. Before moving forward, there are three pieces of information that can significantly affect both your safety and your options.
Florida Abortion Pill Info is here to make sure you have access to accurate, straightforward information before taking your next step. Browse our resources, read more facts about the abortion pill, or find care near you.
1. Find Out Your Gestational Age: Timing Determines Your Options
How far along a pregnancy has progressed, known as gestational age, determines which abortion methods are available, what the process involves, and the potential risks associated with each option.
The abortion pill, which uses two drugs taken in sequence, is FDA-approved only through 10 weeks of gestation.* Mifepristone is taken first to block the hormone progesterone needed to sustain the pregnancy. Misoprostol is taken 24 to 48 hours later to cause the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy and related tissue through cramping and vaginal bleeding.
A home pregnancy test cannot determine gestational age. An ultrasound is the only reliable way to confirm how far along a pregnancy is, and having this confirmed before considering the abortion pill is an important first step.
2. Pregnancy Location and Viability: Two Safety Checks That Matter
An ultrasound also provides two additional pieces of information: where the pregnancy is located and whether the pregnancy appears to be developing.
Pregnancy location matters because, in some cases, a pregnancy develops outside the uterus, most often in the fallopian tube. This is called an ectopic pregnancy, and it is a medical emergency.
The abortion pill will not treat an ectopic pregnancy, and taking the drugs without knowing the pregnancy’s location can delay urgent care and put a woman’s life at serious risk. Confirming that a pregnancy is located inside the uterus is a non-negotiable safety step before taking the abortion pill.
Pregnancy viability must also be confirmed. Miscarriage occurs in an estimated 10 to 20% of known pregnancies, and the process is not always accompanied by obvious symptoms. If a miscarriage is already underway, the abortion pill wouldn’t make sense.
An ultrasound can detect a heartbeat to help determine whether the pregnancy is progressing, so a woman can ensure the care she pursues is appropriate for her specific situation.
3. STI Testing: Protecting Your Health Before and After
STI testing is one of the most overlooked steps before an abortion, and it is also one of the most important. Infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea are common, frequently cause no symptoms, and may go completely undetected without testing.
An untreated STI at the time of an abortion increases the risk of post-procedure infection and can contribute to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to chronic pelvic pain, scarring, long-term fertility complications, and a higher likelihood of ectopic pregnancy in the future. Getting tested before an abortion and treating any infection that is found is a critical step that can prevent serious long-term consequences.
The Right Information Makes All the Difference
Gestational age, pregnancy location, viability, and STI status are three things a home pregnancy test cannot tell you. All three can directly affect your health and the safety of any abortion method you consider.
Learn more about the abortion pill, read through our frequently asked questions, or find care nearby to connect with a provider who can help you get the answers you need.
*Abortion is currently legal in Florida up to six weeks of pregnancy. This means certain procedures may not be available in this state.