Can You Order the Abortion Pill by Mail in California?

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.

Can Abortion Pills be Mailed to California? 

Currently, abortion is legal up until viability in California.[1] Viability refers to the point in pregnancy when a fetus is developed enough to survive outside the womb with medical help. Viability occurs at approximately 24 weeks of pregnancy.[2]

Even though the abortion pill is legal in California, you will still need a prescription from a certified provider in order to have it mailed to your home.

Is It Safe to Order the Abortion Pill by Mail?

No, it is not safe. Women should never order the abortion pill by mail from an online provider that has not been approved by the FDA. 

The FDA has not evaluated those pills for safety[3] and could be expired, fake, or contain the wrong amount of medication. 

What to Do Before Ordering the Abortion Pill by Mail

Before ordering the abortion pill by mail, you should receive an ultrasound to determine: 

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.[3] 

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.[4]

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.[5]

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.[6] 

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.[6] 

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. 

Call Pregnancy Care Center at 559-237-0847 today to to see if you qualify for a free ultrasound.

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[7]:

• 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)[8]
• Hemorrhaging (heavy, excessive bleeding)[9]
• Incomplete abortion (remaining pregnancy tissue)[10]
• Infection (fever lasting more than 24 hours)[7]

If you experience any of the severe side effects listed above, go to the nearest emergency room immediately to receive medical treatment. 

Want to Order the Abortion Pill by Mail? Get the Facts at Pregnancy Care Center.

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 Pregnancy Care Center, we offer free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and a safe place to ask questions and get answers. We’re committed to empowering you to make a safe and informed decision for your unplanned pregnancy. 

 Give us a call at 559-237-0847 or schedule your appointment online today. 

Please be aware that Pregnancy Care Center does not provide or refer for abortion services.

Sources

1. 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   
2. Breborowicz, G. (2001, January). Limits of fetal viability and its enhancement. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11753511/  
3. 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
4. Redinger, A., & Nguyen, H. (2022, June 27). Incomplete Abortions. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559071/
5. Cleveland Clinic. (2023, March 3). Fetal Development. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7247-fetal-development-stages-of-growth
6. Mayo Clinic. (2022, March 12). Ectopic Pregnancy – Symptoms & Causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088
7. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2024, November 15). Mifepristone (Mifeprex). MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html 
8. 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
9. FDA. (2019, July). Prescribing Information for Mifeprex. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/022348s014lbl.pdf 
10. Mayo Clinic. (2022, July 29). Medical Abortion. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687 
11. As advertised by abortion providers.