What to Expect When Using carafem and Femhealth
Experiences with carafem vary from person to person because each woman's lived experience is unique. Nonetheless, there are several universal considerations when contemplating using carafem:
🚪 At-Home Abortion — Is it for me? Quiz
Health Risks of Using carafem
The following risk factors are involved in utilizing carafem's abortion services:
- Medical oversight: carafem offers its services even without video consultation, relying solely on the information provided on the intake form. This void in face-to-face communication enlarges the risk of a medical oversight.
- An incomplete abortion would necessitate surgery, which is not covered by carafem.
- Ectopic pregnancies would be left undiagnosed and untreated since carafem neither provides nor stipulates a prior ultrasound. This could be life-threatening.
- Later abortion: Doctors cannot confirm the week of pregnancy virtually, which could result in using the abortion medication beyond the 10-week limit. A later abortion has a greater chance of serious complications such as an incomplete abortion or hemorrhaging.
- Infection and sepsis: A post-abortion checkup is merely provided by carafem's virtual assistant, "Cara," which may leave an incomplete abortion undiagnosed, thus creating the risk of infection and sepsis.
Femhealth, aka carafem, notifies its clients that they use this service at their own risk. While carafem may be one of the cheapest options, it is not the safest:
"In no event will Femhealth, its physicians, or other medical professionals..., be liable for any... damages, including... medical injury, personal injury, wrongful death, improper diagnosis, inaccurate information, improper treatment or any other loss incurred in connection with your use... The foregoing limitation shall apply even if Femhealth knew... of the possibility of such damages. Your sole and exclusive remedy for dissatisfaction with the CARAFEM Site is to stop using the CARAFEM Site."
Your life is valuable. Your safety matters more than the expense.
For more information, go to Risks and Side Effects of Abortion.
Privacy May Result in Isolation
If you are considering carafem, you probably value their convenience and modern, contact-free approach. But going through the abortion alone, perhaps even purposefully keeping it a secret, can create a sense of isolation. This can lead to feelings of uncertainty or panic when symptoms are more severe than expected — or otherwise deviating from the described norm. Feeling unsure whether a hospital visit is needed would be emotionally stressful. Choosing an at-home abortion has been described as the loneliest decision possible.
In retrospect, many women wish they had confided in someone before making their choice. The desire for a listening ear and unbiased counsel is very common, whether considering an in-clinic or at-home abortion. Talking to someone who is not directly involved may open up new perspectives and unveil additional options. Could seeking out a doctor, a trusted friend, or a counselor meet this need?
Efficient or Rushed Decisions?
carafem promises a quick and seamless service, usually delivering within days. While still unsure of what you want, the speed of an online service may make you feel rushed.
Taking the time you need is vital when facing a decision as impactful as this.
Yet, with all the variables involved (computer software, office staff, medical staff, packaging personnel, postal system), some packages do not arrive as soon as hoped. Delays may cause the pills to arrive after your 10-week limit, which was created for your safety.
Even short wait times can feel excruciating for multiple reasons:
- Are you being pressured to have an abortion? Remember that this is your choice! Abortion coercion is illegal.
🧔🏻♂️ How do I react if he does not want the baby? - Do you feel torn between having an abortion and keeping the baby? Give yourself time to discern a path that matches your emotions and convictions.
⚖️ Abortion: Yes or No? Take the Abortion Test? - If you are concerned that an abortion could weigh heavily on you, it may be helpful to pause the process, giving yourself time to discern the path that is right for you.
🛤 Could an abortion affect me long term? — Take the test!
Even if your carafem packet has already arrived, if you feel uneasy about it, you can set it aside. It is your choice to reassess what is best for you. Use the remaining time within the legal limit as a reflection period. Once your thoughts have stopped churning, you will more likely discern a way forward that matches your intuitions and values.
Is carafem Right for Me?
Maybe you just discovered you are pregnant and came across this page searching for answers. An unintended pregnancy can turn your world upside-down. In an instant, your dreams seem to fall apart, while pregnancy hormones cause your emotions to feel out of control. You might feel unsure how to proceed as you consider your hopes and the expectations that are placed on you. Will you allow us to navigate this time of uncertainty with you? We believe your path will be as unique as your lived experience. As you discern your next steps, make use of our free counseling tests, such as:
Or would you like to go even deeper? Sign up for our free weeklong Decision Journey. You will receive a daily email for seven days with tips, food for thought, real-life experiences, and quizzes.
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Abortion or Keep the Baby?
Decision Coaching: 7 Sessions via Email
