Abortion at Home Health and Safety Checklist

Zöe Colòn

5/1/2025

If you’ve decided to order abortion pills online and complete your abortion at home, you may want to get it done quickly and quietly. But because this is a medical procedure, you deserve to have comprehensive information about how to have a safe at-home abortion. Here is a checklist to set you up for a healthy and whole recovery.

Before ordering

Safety

Know How Far Along You are

Generally, abortion pills are safest if taken up to 10 weeks into your pregnancy. You can calculate how far along you are by counting the weeks since the first day of your last menstrual period. If you’re not sure about that date, it’s important to consult with a doctor who can confirm the gestational age of the pregnancy in person. Abortion pills taken after 11 weeks of pregnancy can lead to more severe cramps, more intense bleeding, and a higher risk for complications.

Things to keep in mind if you do not see a doctor

If you decide to forgo seeing a doctor to confirm your pregnancy, you may be risking not getting the treatment you need in case there is a medical complication, such as an ectopic pregnancy. 1 in 50 pregnancies are ectopic, and the risk of ectopic pregnancy is increased if you had an IUD at the time you got pregnant. She Might has a great resource on how to confirm your pregnancy and the benefits of doing so, even if you have already decided to have an abortion.

Legality

You may be worried about the legal risks of ordering abortion pills online. According to the Guttmacher Institute as of October 31, 2023:

15 states currently require that medication abortion be provided by a licensed physician. 5 states (Arizona, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina and Wisconsin) require that the pregnant person has an in-person visit with a physician, and 1 state (Wisconsin) requires that the first of the prescribed medications is taken in the presence of the physician who administered the pill. 

If you’re in a state that has more restrictive abortion laws, it’s a good idea to research your state’s policies so you know whether your abortion plan is legal, and what risks you might be taking if you choose to do it anyway.

Types of abortions you can do at home

Physician-supported

As mentioned above, some states require abortion pills to be administered by a licensed physician. Check your state laws to see if you live in one of these states; even if you don’t, it’s still a good idea to get your medication from a healthcare provider so that you are receiving safe, FDA-approved abortion medication. Some of these states also require follow-up medical appointments a few weeks after the abortion has occurred.

Self-managed abortions

You can buy just about anything on the internet, and abortion pills are no exception. Given that abortion pills are statistically very safe to take, bypassing a doctor and buying abortion pills online might seem like a win-win option.

However, the FDA specifically warns against buying Mifeprex (the common brand name for the abortion pill) online: “Mifeprex and its approved generic have special safety restrictions on how it is distributed to the public. Also, drugs purchased from foreign Internet sources are not the FDA-approved versions of the drugs, and they are not subject to FDA-regulated manufacturing controls or FDA inspection of manufacturing facilities.” Statistics about abortion pill safety do not apply to drugs that were produced overseas without the strict safety regulations of the FDA.

Homeopathic Remedies

A note on homeopathic remedies, aka “DIY abortion”: You might have heard about at-home methods of causing your body to spontaneously abort, such as physically pushing on your pelvic area or taking a hot shower. So-called natural or home remedies for abortion are not scientifically proven to be effective, and you may hurt yourself if you attempt them in excessive ways or use certain supplements in unsafe amounts.

What to expect

How long it takes

During the 2-3 days that you are taking the two rounds of abortion medication, you may experience heavy bleeding, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, chills, or fever. You may also experience a spectrum of emotions that are difficult to process.

Make sure that you schedule to either take off from work or school for at least two days or dedicate a weekend to your time on abortion medication so that you can endure these side effects comfortably. It is also a good idea to avoid any intense work or activities during this time. You and your support person will need to monitor your symptoms to check for anything concerning, and you may have trouble keeping food down.

Self Care During Abortion

Getting Support

Identify a support person for the duration of your abortion and beyond. While an abortion-at-home is statistically very safe and effective, it is a great idea to have a support person with you or nearby who you can lean on as you experience the abortion medication side effects. Make sure you choose a trusted person who is willing to advocate for you as you encounter abortion pill providers and doctors throughout this process.

Handy Supplies

There are a few supplies that are helpful to have on hand during your at-home abortion. Get them ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about leaving home to get something because you’ll probably not be feeling you’re best:

• Heavy-flow menstrual pads
• Water
• Crackers, soup, or other light foods that won’t upset your stomach
• Heating pad for cramps
• Books, movies, drawing pads, or other activities that help you relax during the process
• Ibuprofen or another pain medication to take before the second pill to alleviate cramping pain; however, avoid aspirin as this increases bleeding.

Whatever you need to feel comfortable as you keep your activity light during this time. It is dangerous to resume heavy exercise or hard work both during and for a few days after your abortion.

During your abortion: What’s Normal and What’s Not

Throughout the time you are taking your abortion pills and afterward, pay attention to how you and your body feel. According to health provider Kaiser Permanente, call a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Severe bleeding
• Passing clots that are bigger than a golf ball, lasting 2 or more hours.
• Soaking more than 2 large pads in an hour, for 2 hours in a row.
• Bleeding heavily for 12 hours in a row.
• Signs of infection in your whole body, such as headache, muscle aches, dizziness, or a general feeling of illness.
• Severe infection is possible without fever.
• Severe pain in the belly that is not relieved by pain medicine, rest, or heat
• Hot flushes or a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher that lasts longer than 4 hours
• Vomiting lasting more than 4 to 6 hours
• Sudden belly swelling or rapid heart rate
• Vaginal discharge that has increased in amount or smells bad
• Pain, swelling, or redness in the genital area

After your abortion

Continue to self-monitor and pay attention to your feelings post-abortion

So you’ve finished your at-home abortion and feel normal. While you may be eager to jump back into your normal routine, it is essential to continue monitoring your body and mental health for any abnormal symptoms or feelings.

It’s okay to be sure about the decision to have an abortion and also have complicated feelings about what you experienced. It’s recommended to schedule a pelvic exam 3-4 weeks after your abortion to make sure that your body has fully recovered. She Might has your go-to guide for post-abortion do’s and don’ts to ensure your well-being.

Need to make a pregnancy decision soon? Book a Clarity Call and get the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.