Can You Order the Abortion Pill by Mail in North Carolina?

Sorting through all of your abortion options can feel overwhelming. But you aren’t alone! Visit Life Care Pregnancy Center to speak with our qualified and compassionate staff. We provide a confidential space for you to sort through all of your options.

Keep reading to learn more!

How Does the Abortion Pill Work? 

With the abortion pill, a woman intentionally takes medication to terminate her pregnancy. Abortion pills may also be called a medical abortion, chemical abortion, RU-486, or at-home abortion. 

The process involves two medications. The first medication, mifepristone, interferes with progesterone receptors and prevents the pregnancy from developing. The second medication, misoprostol, causes the uterus to cramp and expel the pregnancy.[1]

How Far Along Can You Take the Abortion Pill? 

Women qualify for the abortion pill only up until 10 weeks of gestation.[2] Gestational age can be estimated based on a woman’s last menstrual period, but an ultrasound is the most exact way to determine the gestational age. 

Call Life Care Pregnancy Center for a free limited ultrasound today. 

Can Abortion Pills be Mailed? 

North Carolina’s law prohibits residents from mailing or receiving abortion pills in the mail. Websites that claim to mail abortion pills to prohibited states often use foreign pharmacies.

Women should never order abortion pills online from a pharmacy that has not been approved by the FDA. The FDA has not evaluated those pills for safety[2] and could contain the wrong amount of medication, be expired, or be fake.  

What To Know Before You Order the Abortion Pill by Mail

As noted previously, North Carolina’s law prohibits residents from mailing or receiving abortion pills in the mail. A woman is required by North Carolina law to meet with a qualified healthcare professional in-person prior to obtaining abortion pills, which will verify if she is eligible for the abortion pills. This will include: 

• Estimated Gestational Age. Gestational age (how far along you are in pregnancy) can be estimated based on a woman’s last menstrual period, but an ultrasound is the most exact way to determine the gestational age, and an ultrasound is required prior to obtaining the abortion pills.[3]

• Location of the Pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy develops outside of the uterus and can be life-threatening if not properly treated. So, before taking abortion pills, it is required that a woman receive an ultrasound first. 

• Viability of pregnancy. Almost 10-20% of known pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and almost 80% of those occur within the first three months of pregnancy.[4]

Call Life Care Pregnancy Center at (910) 947-6199 today to receive a free ultrasound.  

What are the Risks of an At-Home Abortion? 

As with any medication or procedure, women should be aware of all of the risks associated with the abortion pill, including[1]: 

• Incomplete abortion - The uterus does not expel the entire pregnancy and additional medical procedures could be required.
• Hemorrhaging or severe vaginal bleeding
• Infection
• Allergic reaction to the medications
• Death[5]

For these reasons, women need to have access to emergency services before, during, and after an abortion. So, women should be under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.

Abortion Pill Information in Carthage, NC 

Schedule your appointment online today. All services are confidential and free of charge. We’re here to help you make an informed and empowered decision! Call (910) 947-6199 for a free, confidential appointment. 

Please be aware that Life Care Pregnancy Center does not provide or refer for abortion services. A medical professional will evaluate the necessity of an ultrasound.