What Is the Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill, also known as medication abortion, consists of two different abortion pills that terminate the pregnancy. Only women up to 10 weeks of pregnancy are eligible for the abortion pill. An ultrasound is the only way to accurately confirm how far along you are in your pregnancy and that the pregnancy is viable. It is also required in the state of Ohio prior to any abortion procedure, including the abortion pill. The first abortion pill, Mifepristone, blocks the progesterone hormone and causes the lining of the uterus to thin, and stops the embryo from staying implanted or growing. The second abortion pill, Misoprostol, makes the uterus contract and releases the embryo through the vagina. Many women think this process is as easy as taking a pill, and it’s over. Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple.

How do I know if I am pregnant?

If you have had unprotected sex or experienced a failure of birth control and are having symptoms such as a late or missed period, tender or swollen breasts, fatigue, food cravings, aversions or nausea, you may be pregnant. Your first step in confirming your pregnancy is to receive a lab-quality pregnancy test followed up by an obstetrical ultrasound. We offer these tests and more free of charge at Ivy Women’s Center.

When should I take a pregnancy test?

When you become pregnant, your body will begin to produce the pregnancy hormone, known as hCG. It may take up to a week after a missed period for your body to produce enough of this hormone to be detected by a home pregnancy test. The best time to take a pregnancy test and obtain the most accurate results is 1-2 weeks after a missed period.

Why is it important to be tested for an STD while pregnant?

Left untreated, an STD can carry serious health risks, especially through a pregnancy. Regardless of the decisions you make about your pregnancy, it’s important to be tested and treated if an infection is present. This testing and treatment will help to prevent conditions such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and other serious complications to your long term reproductive health. Testing is quick and convenient, taking place during the same appointment as your consultation.

Is abortion legal in Ohio?

Yes. Abortion is legal in Ohio with the following restrictions, which are in place for the protection and safety of women: Women must receive state-mandated counseling at least 24 hours prior to having an abortion procedure. FDA protocols must be followed when providing a medical abortion Parental consent is required for minors prior to an abortion Women must receive an ultrasound prior to an abortion Abortions after 22 weeks of gestation are only available when the woman’s life is in danger.

Can I order the abortion pill online in Ohio?

Ohio state law and the FDA protocols require a doctor’s prescription for the abortion pill. This law is in place to protect women from potentially harmful pills ordered online and to make sure the abortion pill is taken within the correct window of time during the pregnancy (prior to 10 weeks).

Is it important to have an ultrasound?

Once a positive result is received on your lab-quality pregnancy test, the next step is to have a limited ultrasound. An ultrasound is not only required if you are considering an abortion, but it will also reveal important information about the pregnancy that is crucial to your health and safety. It will also help determine what type of abortion procedure is available to you.

Can You Still Get an Abortion in OH? | Ivy Women's Center

This woman want to know if you can still get an abortion in OH?

Your fears around access to abortion may have heightened due to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Many women are not sure what is legal or illegal in their state and we want to help clear up any confusion.

While you can still get an abortion in OH, there are new restrictions you need to know about to move forward with your pregnancy decision.

Heartbeat Law

On June 24, 2022, the Heartbeat Bill (Senate Bill 23) became law in Ohio. This abortion law bans access to all abortion procedures in Ohio once a heartbeat is detected by the abortion provider. Exceptions are made for the life or physical health of the woman.

Abortion Pill Online

Does the Heartbeat law affect access to the abortion pill online? In addition to the new restrictions under the Heartbeat law, Ohio law still requires an ultrasound prior to any abortion procedure, including the abortion pill.

A prescription from a physician is also required to obtain the abortion pill. That being said, you may find sites offering the abortion pill online without adhering to these requirements. Be aware that these requirements are put in place to ensure the need for and safety of taking the abortion pill. Many of these sites send the medication from other countries, making it difficult to verify the safety and effectiveness of what you are receiving.

If you choose to obtain the abortion pill online, you owe it to yourself to ensure that you are still receiving the care you need and deserve. In addition to receiving the necessary ultrasound and prescription, here are a few questions to ask the provider before ordering the pills:

The prescribing physician’s name
Is there someone I can contact should I experience complications
Will I need to confirm that the abortion pills worked through ultrasound and if so, do you provide resources for me to obtain one?

Schedule a no-cost and confidential pregnancy test and ultrasound appointment at our center today to get answers.

Other Abortion Restrictions in Ohio

In addition to the banning of abortion once a heartbeat is detected, except in cases of life endangerment or severely compromised physical health, there are several other abortion requirements that you should be aware of

State-directed counseling is required before having an abortion, including the abortion pill. This counseling must be performed by a physician, must be in person and must occur at least 24 hours prior to the abortion procedure.
Health plans offered in Ohio’s Affordable Care Act only cover abortion in cases of life endangerment, or in cases of rape or incest.
The parent of a minor must consent before an abortion is provided unless the minor has been legally emancipated.
An ultrasound is necessary before obtaining an abortion since the provider must test for a fetal heartbeat. The patient shall be offered the option to view the image or not.
The state prohibits abortions performed in response to genetic anomalies.

Confirm You’re Pregnant

If you are thinking of traveling for an abortion, it’s vital to first confirm your pregnancy to determine abortion eligibility.

Pregnancy testing is essential to verify your home pregnancy test results. Next, an ultrasound is necessary to confirm how far along you are, determine if your body is accepting the pregnancy, and the location of your pregnancy.

While ectopic pregnancies are rare, when they do occur, it is a medical emergency. Any woman experiencing an ectopic pregnancy must be seen by a physician. An ectopic pregnancy is one in which the pregnancy grows outside of the uterus and will not result in a live birth.

Failing to treat an ectopic pregnancy may be dangerous and in some cases, life threatening to the woman. Only an ultrasound can identify an ectopic pregnancy. Treatment for an ectopic pregnancy is different than an abortion and does not fall under the restrictions of the Heartbeat Law.

Find clarity today with a pregnancy confirmation appointment, at no cost to you. Get support from our compassionate team today.

Heartbeat Law

Other Abortion Restrictions in Ohio

Confirm You’re Pregnant

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