Papaya seeds, mugwort tea, cinnamon… These are the ingredients recommended in some TikTok videos for home abortion.
Since the Supreme Court revoked the right to abortion in the United States on Friday, June 24, this type of sequence continues to flourish on the social network.
In one of them, a woman offers three ingredients to ingest to abort in a natural way: lemon juice, tajine, or cider vinegar.
A sequence that accumulates 41,000 views.
However, this type of video highlights methods that are at best ineffective, at worst dangerous, underlines the site
The Cut
.
In an article dated May and republished on Tuesday June 28, the media denounces in particular the recommendation on social networks of vaginal douches with Coca-Cola, or taking vitamin C in large quantities.
It also discusses natural abortion techniques presenting a high risk for their users.
Among them, the insertion of objects into the vagina, likely to lead to infections and sepsis.
But also the ingestion of deadly substances such as bleach, or blows in the abdomen.
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Manual suction
The Cut
mentions in particular the technique of manual aspiration.
According to Sarah Prager, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington, special devices (looking like oversized syringes) have been around for decades to aspirate uterine contents safely and effectively.
A device reserved for professionals, such as nurses and midwives, she insists.
She also advises against performing manual vacuum aspiration abortion yourself, using a mirror for example, adding that a doctor or nurse always ensures that the equipment is sterilized, as there is a high risk of infection.
Herbal decoctions
In addition to this technique, plant decoctions also present significant risks.
Already, it requires the ingestion of specific preparations, to be consumed within specific time limits.
Process that must be supervised by a herbalist and initiated at the beginning of pregnancy.
Also, the dosage of the decoction may vary from person to person and from herb to herb.
Inappropriate use of the beverage can prove fatal, or lead to serious serious side effects, specifies, worries, Professor Sarah Prager.
Surprise invitations
"It's heartbreaking, all these things that women try to do to end their pregnancies, due to lack of access to clinical care, information and awareness of safer methods", reacts Heidi Moseson, researcher at Ibis Reproductive Health, also in the columns of
The Cut
.
Still, the best options for women who want to have an abortion are to go to states that allow it, or approach dedicated networks like Aid Access, which can provide them with abortion pills.
Still on TikTok, some young women also offer, under the guise of inviting their subscribers on vacation, to welcome pregnant women from other states, in order to help them have an abortion in theirs.