Considering the Abortion Pill in Texas?
How Does the Abortion Pill Work?
The abortion pill (also known as medication abortion) actually consists of two pills: mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone is taken first. It cuts the supply of the hormone progesterone to the embryo, which is needed to maintain the pregnancy. Without a steady supply of progesterone, the embryo stops growing and eventually dies. Misoprostol is taken 24-48 hours later. This medication makes the uterus cramp and expel the fetus, which ends the pregnancy.[1]
How Late Can You Take the Abortion Pill?
The abortion pill is only FDA-approved for up to 10 weeks from your last menstrual period.[2] If you take the abortion pill later on in your pregnancy, the risk of serious complications increases. You may need emergency surgery to stop heavy bleeding or complete the procedure if it fails or is incomplete.
Is Abortion Legal in Texas?
Abortion is currently banned in Texas, except to preserve the life of the pregnant woman. This will not affect care for miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. A woman who seeks or obtains an abortion will not be held criminally or civilly liable under Texas law.[3, 4]
If you are still considering abortion, we recommend receiving an ultrasound beforehand. Click here to find out why.
Can I Get Abortion Pills Over the Counter?
No, a prescription from a provider or physician who is certified to prescribe the abortion pills is necessary. However, the FDA does permit pharmacies to become certified to dispense the abortion pill with a proper prescription from a certified provider.[5]
Can I Order the Abortion Pill Online?
The FDA advises against ordering the abortion pill online. Many online abortion pill providers are located overseas, so the pills they provide may not meet FDA standards.[6] These pills could be counterfeit, expired, or even tampered with.
Abortion Pill Information in Texas
When your pregnancy test comes back positive, it can be easy to panic. Don’t let fear make the final decision for you. Get the care and support you deserve at The Pregnancy Help Center of Fort Worth. We provide free pregnancy resources, so you can make an empowered decision for your unplanned pregnancy:
- Free pregnancy tests
- Free ultrasounds
- A safe, non-judgemental place to explore your pregnancy options and share what’s on your mind
Give us a call at 817-560-2226 or schedule your appointment online today!
Please be aware that Pregnancy Help Center of Forth Worth does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- FDA. (2023, September 1). Questions and Answers on Mifeprex. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex
- See source #1.
- Health and Safety Code Chapter 170A. Performance of Abortion. Texas Constitution and Statutes. (2022, August 25). https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.170A.htm
- Health and Safety Code Chapter 171. Abortion. Texas Constitution and Statutes. (2021, September 1). https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/pdf/HS.171.pdf
- See source #1.
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2023, March 23). Mifeprex (Mifepristone). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information
