Why Would Someone Choose Self-Managed Abortion?

To many people, DIY abortion may seem like an impossibility. However, it is more widespread than you may believe, even here in the US. Increased legal and political threats to access to clinic-based services – along with the existing barriers to access such as geography, finances, and support – mean that self-managed abortion is becoming an essential option for many people carrying unwanted pregnancies.

There has also been an increase of studies highlighting the safety of self-managed abortion with support, and an increase in the quality of medicines from internet providers shipping to the US. However, there is risk involved, as the rate of arrests of women for using pills during pregnancy is also increasing. In many states the law requires that abortion pills be given by licensed health care clinicians, and a woman may be arrested for using abortion pills that were not obtained through a clinician.

In 2015, there were 700,000 Google searches for self-induced abortion. Approximately 160,000 of these searches were asking how to get abortion pills through unofficial channels — searches like “buy abortion pills online” and “free abortion pills.” There were 119,000 searches for the exact phrase “how to have a miscarriage.”

Misoprostol alone, or in combination with mifepristone, is a safe and effective way to end a pregnancy in the first 12 weeks. It is approved by the World Health Organization as a safe abortion method when used by women themselves to 9 weeks and has been used successfully by millions of women around the world, without a clinician.

SASS is here specifically to provide not only accurate information about abortion with pills, but as a resource so that those choosing to self manage their abortions have the most accurate medical and legal information, as well as emotional and social support.

For more information, visit us at abortionpillinfo.org