How Pro-Life Medical Laws May Impact Chemical Abortion Risks

Ambulance driving on road with lights flashing.

Pro-life medical laws are crucial in protecting women’s health by mitigating the significant risks associated with chemical abortions.

At a Glance

Chemical abortions have a complication rate four times higher than surgical abortions.
Up to 39% of women may require follow-up care after a chemical abortion.
ER visits linked to chemical abortions increased over 500% between 2002 and 2015.
Abortion-by-mail increases the risks due to the lack of medical oversight.
Mifepristone cannot treat ectopic pregnancies and can mask symptoms of tubal rupture.

Medical Risks of Chemical Abortions

Chemical abortions pose a significant medical risk as their complication rate is four times higher than that of surgical abortions. Reports indicate that between 3-7% of women require follow-up care for early pregnancy chemical abortions, increasing to 7-10% in the first trimester post-63 days, and up to 39% in the second trimester. The rise in chemical abortion-related Emergency Room (ER) visits is alarming, with an increase of over 500% observed between 2002 and 2015 among Medicaid populations.

Misreporting chemical abortions as miscarriages in ERs may lead to multiple hospitalizations and the need for follow-up surgery. A lack of proper reporting can obscure the actual risks women face and prevent the real dangers of chemical abortions from being fully understood and addressed. Moreover, Rh-negative women who do not receive Rhogam shots during a chemical abortion face the risk of isoimmunization, potentially affecting future pregnancies.

Increase in Teleabortions and Its Consequences

The COVID-19 pandemic facilitated a shift to teleabortions, where fully virtual medical appointments are conducted for chemical abortions. While convenient, this method severely lacks medical supervision, making it challenging for women to assess the gestational age accurately and undiagnosed ectopic pregnancies present a significant risk. Mifepristone, the primary drug used in chemical abortions, cannot treat ectopic pregnancies and can mask symptoms of a tubal rupture, posing severe health risks to women.

“Chemical abortion has a complication rate four times that of surgical abortion, and as many as one in five women will suffer a complication,” from the Lozier Institute fact sheet.

Additionally, many women report feeling unprepared, silenced, regretful, or coerced after undergoing chemical abortions. The lack of real-time conversations with medical professionals further jeopardizes their opportunity to understand all available options, which may include continuing the pregnancy. This denies them the opportunity for informed consent, a fundamental aspect of medical ethics.

Fact check: @NBCNews' @Yamiche repeats abortion industry talking points, claiming pro-life laws prevent doctors from providing emergency care to women.

Misinformation like this puts women and their children at risk.
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— SBA Pro-Life America (@sbaprolife) March 7, 2023

Legislative Measures and Their Importance

State pro-life medical laws are crucial in safeguarding women’s health during pregnancy termination procedures. The Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade, now empowers states to determine their abortion laws, enabling the implementation of safety measures for chemical abortions. Proper legislation ensures that women undergo these procedures with medical oversight, significantly lowering the risks of complications and emergency visits.

The FDA’s expansion of access to chemical abortions has sharply increased their usage; currently, 64% of abortions prior to 10 weeks gestation and 52% of all abortions are chemical. With this rise, regulatory oversight is more critical than ever to ensure that women receive informed and supervised care throughout the process.