WASHINGTON D.C. aEUR” As abortion becomes more complicated aEUR” or impossible aEUR” in many states, some patients buy pills online and manage the process themselves. This can pose new challenges for healthcare providers as they try to protect their patients and prevent any complications.
Dr. Nisha verma states that patients have more options than in the past, which saw women dying from unsafe or illegal abortions.
Verma stated that “we know that people can safely handle their abortions with pills if they have the right information and support.” “We expect to see more people who manage their abortions themselves,” Verma said.
Verma, an OB/GYN and abortion provider says that years of research have shown that abortion pills can be safely taken if they are used correctly. She says that some patients may be willing to take risks, while others will need medical assistance or have more basic questions.
She said, “That hasn’t completely disappeared.” “We must be conscious of this and be able to offer compassionate, non-judgmental treatment to those who present to the formal health system after having self-managed in any of these ways.”
Farah Diaz–Tello, senior counsel at If/When/How says anyone with concerns or questions about heavy bleeding symptoms should not be afraid to seek medical attention.
She stated that “our big concern is that even though there is no legal basis to criminalize them, the fear of being charged and getting entangled in legal system is going drive them away from healthcare if necessary.”
Diaz-Tello states that most abortion laws in the United States do not directly penalize patients who seek or induce abortion. However, this could change as the legal landscape changes rapidly and some patients might be afraid of overzealous prosecutors.
Verma has written a paper for the Society of Family Planning that offers guidance to healthcare workers who might be dealing with such patients. Verma says that health care workers need to be careful about what information they record aEUR” in order to protect their patients and themselves.
She says that heavy bleeding can be treated in the same way regardless of whether it is caused by miscarriage, abortion pills, or both. This may make it unnecessary to share this information with others, especially in states with strict laws. Verma recommends that doctors seek legal advice on how they can counsel patients about abortion, and self-managed options.
American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians & Gynecologists Dr. Christina Francis says that while she doesn’t support criminal penalties for self-inducing patients, she believes more state legislators should introduce legislation to target illegal distributors of abortion pills.
Francis stated, “Whoever is giving these pills to these women would be the one I would blame.”
These discussions are already being held by Republican legislators in several states. Some opponents of abortion rights have suggested that civil ligation and prosecution could be used to stop people from aiding abortions across state lines or dispensing abortion pills to those in states where they are banned.
