Can You Order the Abortion Pill by Mail?

If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, you may be considering ordering the abortion pill by mail. But, as with any medication or procedure, there are many things to consider before you take abortion pills. Keep reading to learn more.

States Where Abortion is Illegal or Restricted

States Where Abortion is Legal

*Viability refers to the point in pregnancy when a fetus is developed enough to survive outside the womb with medical help. It occurs at approximately 24 weeks of pregnancy.[21]

Is It Safe to Order the Abortion Pill by Mail?

You’ve likely come across websites that claim to ship out abortion pills to any part of the country, regardless of local abortion laws. While this seems like a private and convenient solution, it is not safe.

These websites often use foreign pharmacies. The FDA has not evaluated the pills they provide for safety.[22] The pills could be expired, fake, or contain the wrong amount of medication. Women should never order the abortion pill by mail from a pharmacy that is not FDA-approved.

What are the Risks of the Abortion Pill? 

Before ordering the abortion pill by mail, you need to understand the side effects and potential complications.

Common side effects include[23]:

• Bleeding that can last up to a month
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea and digestive pain
• Chills
• Fever
• Abdominal cramping (caused by the misoprostol)

Severe side effects include:

• Allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock)[24]
• Hemorrhaging (heavy, excessive bleeding)[25]
• Incomplete abortion (remaining pregnancy tissue)[26]
• Infection (fever lasting more than 24 hours)[23]

Do I Need an Ultrasound Before Taking the Abortion Pill?

In states where abortion is illegal or restricted, you will still need to receive receive an ultrasound, even if you qualify for an exception. 

In states where abortion is legal, women are generally not required to receive ultrasounds before taking the abortion pill. However, we strongly recommend getting one.

An ultrasound provides clarity on three critical factors: gestational age, pregnancy viability, and pregnancy location. This information helps you understand your pregnancy options and make the best decision for your health.

Gestational Age 

Gestational age refers to how far along you are in pregnancy. This is important to know, because the abortion pill is only FDA-approved for use up to 10 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period.[22] 

Taking the medication beyond this timeframe increases the risk of complications, and may require further medical intervention, including emergency surgery to address excessive bleeding or incomplete abortion.[27]

Viability of the Pregnancy

A viable pregnancy indicates that the pregnancy is progressing normally and has the potential to continue to term. During an ultrasound, technicians check for signs like a detectable heartbeat, which typically appears between 6.5 and 7 weeks of gestation.[28]

If a heartbeat cannot be detected, it may indicate that a miscarriage has occurred. In that case, the abortion pill is no longer an option to consider, and you can move forward with the appropriate medical care.

Location of the Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tubes (known as a tubal ectopic pregnancy), but also in the abdominal cavity or on an ovary.[29] 

Unlike a normal pregnancy, an ectopic pregnancy cannot progress to term because the fetus cannot survive outside the uterus. For the pregnant woman, it’s a serious, life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention.[29] 

It’s important to know that ectopic pregnancies are not treated by the abortion pill. Additionally, there are no abortion laws that would prohibit women from receiving care for ectopic pregnancies. 

ICU Mobile provides free ultrasounds to women who receive positive pregnancy tests at our mobile medical units. Call now to make an appointment.

Want to Order the Abortion Pill by Mail? Get an Ultrasound First.

Ordering the abortion pill by mail may seem like a convenient solution to an unplanned pregnancy, but it could put your health at risk.

At ICU Mobile, we offer free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and a safe place to ask questions and get answers. Our mobile medical unit team is committed to empowering you to make a safe and informed decision for your unplanned pregnancy. 

Give us a call at (877) 231-2005 or schedule your appointment online today.

Please be aware that ICU Mobile does not provide or refer for abortion services.

Sources

1. Alabama Legislature. (2025, February 4). House Bill 50. https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2025RS/HB50-int.pdf  
2. Arkansas General Assembly. Arkansas Unborn Child Protection Act (SB6). Arkansas State Legislature. (2021, February 9, 2021). https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2021R%2FPublic%2FSB6.pdf  
3. The Florida Senate. (2023, April 14). SB 300: Pregnancy and Parenting Support. https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/300  
4. Georgia General Assembly. (2019, May 7). House Bill 481. https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20192020/187013   
5.  Indiana State Medical Association. (2023, August 23). Abortion law in effect after IN Supreme Court denies rehearing. https://ismanet.org/ISMA/Resources/e-Reports/8-23-23/Abortion_law_in_effect.aspx  
6. Commonwealth of Kentucky Office of the Attorney General. (2022, June 24). Human Life Protection Act. Attorney General Daniel Cameron. https://www.ag.ky.gov/Press%20Release%20Attachments/Human%20Life%20Protection%20Act%20Advisory.pdf   
7. Michael Watson, Secretary of State. (2022, June 27). Mississippi Abortion Notice Published in Administrative Bulletin. https://www.sos.ms.gov/press/mississippi-abortion-notice-published-administrative-bulletin  
8. North Carolina General Assembly. (2023, May 4). SENATE BILL 20 RATIFIED BILL. https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2023/Bills/Senate/PDF/S20v5.pdf   
9. Oklahoma House of Representatives. (2022, March 21). HB4327 Floor Amendment 8 Bill Summary. https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2021-22%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/BILLSUM/House/HB4327%20FA8%20BILLSUM.PDF  
10. Tennessee General Assembly. (2022, June). Human Life Protection Act.  https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1029&GA=111  
11. Texas Constitution and Statutes. (2022, August 25). Health and Safety Code Chapter 170A. Performance of Abortion.  https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.170A.htm 
12. Texas Constitution and Statutes. (2021, September 1). Health and Safety Code Chapter 171. Abortion. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/pdf/HS.171.pdf 
13. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes. Arizona Abortion Laws. (2024, November 5). https://www.azag.gov/issues/reproductive-rights/laws     
14. Executive Department, State of California. (2019, May 31). Proclamation on Reproductive Freedom. https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Proclamation-on-Reproductive-Freedom.pdf   
15. Hawaii State Legislature. (2023). H.B. NO. 1491. https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2024/bills/SB1491_.HTM     
16. Illinois General Assembly. (2023, February 15). HB2606. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/103/HB/10300HB2606.htm  
17. Kansas State Legislature. (2022). Article 67. ABORTION. https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/statute/065_000_0000_chapter/065_067_0000_article/065_067_0003_section/065_067_0003_k/  
18. Michigan Legislature. (2023). House Bill 4949. https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2023-HB-4949  
19. Ohio Secretary of State. (2023, December 7). Article I, Section 22 — Ohio Constitution: The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety. Ohio Laws & Administrative Code. https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-constitution/section-1.22 
20.  Pennsylvania General Assembly. (2025, January 8). House Bill 26. https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb26  
21. Breborowicz, G. (2001, January). Limits of fetal viability and its enhancement. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11753511/  
22. FDA. (2025, February 11). Questions and Answers on Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation?sm_guid=NTU1NzgyfDYzMDE1OTM2fC0xfGppbUBha2ZhbWlseS5vcmd8NTY4OTI4MXx8MHwwfDE5OTYwMDk4OHwxMDg2fDB8MHx8NTQ3NzI2fDA1
23. Redinger, A., & Nguyen, H. (2022, June 27). Incomplete Abortions. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559071/
24. Cleveland Clinic. (2023, March 3). Fetal Development. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7247-fetal-development-stages-of-growth
25. Mayo Clinic. (2022, March 12). Ectopic Pregnancy – Symptoms & Causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088
26. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2024, November 15). Mifepristone (Mifeprex). MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html 
27. Shin, Hyun Joo, et al. “Anaphylactic Shock to Vaginal Misoprostol: A Rare Adverse Reaction to a Frequently Used Drug.” PubMed Central (PMC), 9 Aug. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6137020
28. FDA. (2019, July). Prescribing Information for Mifeprex. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/022348s014lbl.pdf 
29. Mayo Clinic. (2022, July 29). Medical Abortion. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687 
30. As advertised by abortion providers.