Pregnant? need help?
If you're pregnant and looking for an abortion, we’re here to empower you with the information you need to make the choice that is best for you, your body and your health.
It’s important to remember that abortion is a medical procedure. You deserve to know the facts. You owe it to yourself to make an informed decision.
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Abortion Pill
Mifepristone, also known as the abortion pill, is a common method of abortion, making up over half of the abortions done in 2023. It is a hormone blocker that can be used to to end a pregnancy. When a woman becomes pregnant, her body will begin to generate progesterone. Progesterone is a hormone that thickens the uterine lining, which in turn supports the growth of the embryo. Mifepristone blocks the hormonal support to the uterus, causing the uterine wall to thin and the embryo to stop growing.
Typically, the abortion pill regimen calls for a second drug named misoprostol, which causes the uterus to contract and expel the embryo. Both of these drugs taken together are called “medication abortion” or “chemical abortion,” and are different than the “morning after pill” or “Plan B.”
The abortion pill is banned in some states, and in the states where it is legal a prescription is required. A 2023 FDA regulation change removed the requirement that the drug be directly dispensed in a clinic, medical office, or hospital, meaning that the pill can be sent in the mail and taken without an appointment in a medical setting.
Morning After Pill
The morning after pill, sometimes called emergency contraception, is a drug taken after unprotected sex or when a different birth control method has failed. The most common form of the morning after pill is the drug levonorgestrel, found in pills like Plan B One Step. Levonorgestrel is a hormone that prevents the release and fertilization of the egg. It can also prevent implantation of a fertilized egg.
The morning after pill is instructed to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. Emergency contraception is effective in preventing a pregnancy from occurring, but it is not recommended to use frequently. There are some factors that mitigate the effectiveness of the morning after pill, including obesity. The side effects of the morning-after pill can include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, and headaches. Using the morning-after pill may cause a woman’s next period to be delayed by up to a week.
Abortion Procedure
There are a variety of different abortion procedures depending on what is available to the woman seeking an abortion, how far a particular pregnancy has progressed, and any pre-existing conditions or health concerns. A medical abortion [link to page here] is pill regimen that can be taken at home in the early stages of pregnancy. Other than medical abortions, first trimester abortions are typically vacuum aspirations, and second trimester abortions can either be dilation and evacuation (D&E) or dilation and extraction (D&X), also called partial-birth abortion.
Vacuum aspirations take place in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. The simple procedure begins by opening the cervix, if necessary, and application of local anesthesia to the cervix. The vagina is held open with a device called a speculum. A small and powerful suction device called a cannula is then inserted into the uterus to remove the fetus and placenta.
After 14 weeks of pregnancy, dilation and evacuation procedures are much more common. The preparation for the procedure begins by dilating the cervix and softening the uterus. Like the vacuum aspiration procedure, local anesthesia is applied to the cervix. In addition to using the cannula for suction, forceps and a scraping tool called a curette will be used to remove the fetus and placenta. Sometimes, an injection is provided that stops the fetal heartbeat before the procedure begins.
For late-term pregnancies, most states have restrictions on abortions except in the case of a threat to the life of the mother or complications with fetal development. This procedure is called dilation and extraction. The procedure is similar to D&E, however, there are some differences due to the size of the fetus at this stage of development. Every part of the fetus is removed from the uterus using forceps, and the fetal skull is punctured and collapsed with the use of a suction catheter before being removed completely from the uterus.
Abortion Cost
The cost of an abortion can vary greatly depending on the type of abortion procedure and how far a particular pregnancy has progressed.
The abortion pill regimen can cost up to $800. An in-clinic vacuum aspiration procedure can cost up to $600. In the second trimester, a dilation and evacuation procedure can cost anywhere from $700 to $1,500, depending on how far into the second trimester the pregnancy has progressed. A dilation and extraction procedure done in the late second trimester can be up to $2,000.
These costs can change based on which state you’re in, what insurance provider you have, and the reason for the abortion.
Abortion Laws & Status
The overturning of Roe v. Wade left many wondering what the legal status of abortion would be, and there is still confusion among pregnant women what their options are when it comes to abortion.
The issue has been returned to the states to decide, so your options for abortion depend on where you live. In some states, abortion is completely banned. In others, there are 6-week, 12-week, or 20-week bans. Many states require waiting periods or parental consent if you are under the age of 18. Some states have no restrictions at all.
Stay up to date with changes in local regulations to know what the status of abortion is in your home state.
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