Your App Said 8 Weeks. We Said 10. Here's Why.

Your app said 8 weeks. We said 10. Cue the side-eye.

Don't worry — we're not ignoring your math. There's a real reason we lean later when the date isn't clear. It all comes down to one thing: keeping you safe. Here's how it works.

How We Count How Far Along You Are

Day one is the first day of your last period. ACOG, the WHO, and almost every medical group in the world use this rule. We do too.

The only thing that can change the count is an ultrasound report from a clinic. The report has to show the measurements and the dates the clinic worked out. If you have one, send it our way. We can switch to the ultrasound's dates — but only if they're a certain number of days off from the period count. (That's not our rule. It's how the medical guidelines work.)

When the Date Isn't Clear

Real life is messy. Periods can be irregular. People forget the exact day. Some people have spotting that feels like a period but isn't.

So sometimes we're picking between two dates that both seem possible — say, 8 weeks and 10. When that happens, we go with the later one. Here's why.

Why Later Is Safer

How much misoprostol you need depends on how far along you are. Earlier means less. Later means more — sometimes split into a few doses, so the uterus empties all the way.

If we go with the later date and you really are further along: the dose matches your body. Done.

If we go with the later date and you're actually a little earlier: you took slightly more misoprostol than you strictly needed. Still safe. Extra in this case is not dangerous.

Now flip it.

If we'd gone with the earlier date — but you're actually further along — the dose would be too small. That's where things get risky.

When the dose is too low, the abortion can be incomplete. That means some pregnancy tissue stays inside. An incomplete abortion has a real risk of heavy bleeding — bleeding that can be dangerous and need emergency care. It can also lead to:

• Bleeding that lasts way longer than it should
• Needing more medicine
• Needing a follow-up procedure to finish the abortion

So the trade isn't even. Going later trades a small chance of a stronger experience for a real drop in medical risk. Going earlier does the opposite — and that's the one with real risks.

When the date isn't clear, the safer call is later.

"But I'm Sure of My Date"

Heard. Your information matters. We listen. A few things people are often surprised by:

• Apps guess. They don't measure. Apps use a typical cycle length and count back from there. That's an average, not a measurement.
• Even regular periods drift. When you ovulate can shift by a week or more from one cycle to the next.
• Knowing when you had sex doesn't pin down the day of conception. People often ovulate days earlier or later than they think. Medical guidelines also don't let us use the day you had sex to set a due date — it's not accurate enough.

None of this means we don't trust you. It means that without an ultrasound report, the safe move is to plan for the later date. (Want a quick estimate of where you might be? Our pregnancy calculator walks you through the math.)

What This Looks Like in a Roxy Consult

1. You tell us when your last period started, plus any other dating info you have.
2. Your clinician reads it all and picks the dating that fits best.
3. If your number and ours don't match, we usually go with the later one — unless an ultrasound says otherwise.
4. Your protocol follows that date.
5. You can always ask us to walk you through how we got there. Seriously, ask away.

The Bottom Line

We're not ignoring your math. We're following a rule doctors use everywhere — because dating is often unclear, and the risks of using too little medicine are bigger than the risks of using a little extra.

When in doubt, we lean later. That's the safer call.

How to Start with Roxy

We serve patients in 14 states through telehealth. Sliding scale $0–$145 based on what you can afford — no income verification. Pills ship discreetly to the address of your choice.

Start with a short online consultation. Your clinician reviews your information and, when appropriate, prescribes the medication.

This article is for information only. It does not replace medical advice. If you have an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.