The Unreported Abortions Sent Illegally By Mail
More than half of all abortions are performed using two pills, mifepristone and misoprostol, to chemically terminate the pregnancy. The first pill (mifepristone) is often taken at the abortion facility and works to block progesterone going to the preborn child. The second pill (misoprostol) is usually taken at home and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy.
Due to the nature of the pill and the complications associated with it, undiagnosed medical conditions will put the woman at risk of infection, blood clots, heavy bleeding, and Rh antibodies. These risks remain unknown when purchasing the pill online.
The “Heartbeat Protection Act” passed in May 2023 requires medications intended for use in a medical abortion be dispensed in-person by a physician. Receiving the pills in-person reduces the risks associated with taking the pills with an ectopic pregnancy, an STI, a pregnancy further along than expected, or other pregnancy complications. The market for online abortion pills was a subject of discussion during the 2024 election, as a popular political topic was abortion access.
The distribution of chemical abortion through mail delivery is illegal in the State of Florida.
Several sources began to encourage women to keep extra abortion pills available and utilize resources that mail them anonymously.
To counteract the spread of unsafe information, Options for Women displayed billboards across Polk County for the month of November and December, encouraging viewers to contact us to learn the truth about abortion.
To counteract the spread of unsafe information, Options for Women displayed billboards across Polk County for the month of November and December, encouraging viewers to contact us to learn the truth about abortion.
Since the state law requires chemical abortions to be dispensed in person, the number of abortion pills sent in the mail cannot be tracked. Therefore, it is possible there were more abortions in Florida than the 60,755 reported.
Options for Women offers free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, STD testing, pre-termination exams, post-abortion counseling and wellness referrals. We have offices in Lakeland and Bartow, Florida. Please call for an appointment (863) 393-6988. Walk-ins are welcome.