If you trust your family doctor, you can ask for a referral. Your doctor may be able to give you contact information for a provider, either in a local hospital or at a health clinic. However, not all are willing to give referrals. Be wary of advertisements for providers or clinics online. Sometimes doctors you find in this way are not licensed to provide abortions. Stick with providers you’ve heard of before or those referred by someone you know and trust.
You might want to check out the clinic to make sure you’re comfortable there. Licensed facilities are clean, well-maintained and professional. If something makes you feel uncomfortable, see if there’s a better option. Never get an abortion in someone’s house or in an illegal clinic. If you’re not sure whether the place is legitimate, ask for the abortion provider’s name and confirm that he or she is a board-certified obstetrician.
Some clinics have a sliding scale or payment plans available so you don’t have to pay the entire cost at once. Sometimes health insurance can cover it, though in most cases insurance covers birth control but not abortion. Check with your insurance company to find out more. If you’re not insured, another option is to get help from an abortion fund. An abortion fund is a group of people who care about reproductive rights and help people who can’t afford abortions to cover the cost of the procedure.
Figure out where the closest clinic is. Check out major cities, even if they aren’t in the same state you live in. See if you can arrange transportation and stay with a friend or family member there. You’ll have to do a little extra planning, since most providers require that you come in at least two times: once for the initial consultation and again for the abortion. See if there’s a program designed to help people in your situation. Call the clinic where you want to have the procedure and tell them your situation. Nonprofit reproductive rights groups often provide transportation and housing to people who need to travel from out of town.
Each state has its own requirements regarding parental consent. If you’re under 18, your state might require that you get your parents’ permission to have an abortion. If you’re uncomfortable with this, you can ask a judge to give you a “judicial bypass,” or waive the requirement so you can get an abortion without asking your parents. [2] X Research source In some states you might be required to get pre-abortion counseling, get an ultrasound, or wait a certain amount of time between your first consultation and the abortion appointment. In some states it is illegal to get an abortion after six months of pregnancy. After that point, you need to go to another state and possibly acquire an out-of-state judicial bypass.
Self-abortions often lead to severe injury and death. They are most common in places where abortion is illegal. [3] X Research source Legal abortions are one of the most common procedures done in the US, and are extremely safe when performed in a clean facility by a licensed provider. [4] X Research source More than one-third of adult women are estimated to have had at least one abortion. [5] X Research source
You will be asked to fill out some paperwork regarding your medical history. Make sure to answer the questions honestly so that you’ll receive the right kind of care. Remember that you can change your mind at any time. If your discussion with the counselor leaves you feeling you’d rather not have an abortion, you can absolutely decide against it.
Aspiration is the most common type of abortion procedure, and is usually available through the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. You’ll receive an examination and light sedation that allows you to stay awake the whole time. A tube is inserted into the cervix, and a suction device is used to remove the fetus. [6] X Research source It takes no more than 10 minutes. Dilation and evacuation (D&E) is similar to aspiration, but it’s performed after the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. Medication is administered to dilate the cervix, and a suction device is used to remove the fetus. The procedure takes 10 to 20 minutes, not counting the time it takes to prepare the cervix. [7] X Research source The abortion pill is another option you can choose for a first trimester abortion. In a chemical abortion, you’re giving two types of medication to take: one that encourages the lining of the uterus to break down, and one that causes it to empty (misoprostol). [8] X Research source It causes cramps and bleeding, and a follow-up appointment is recommended.
Follow the instructions you were given at your first appointment regarding how to physically prepare for the abortion. You should not eat or drink during the two hours prior to the abortion, and you should not use alcohol after midnight the night before. [9] X Research source You might feel low energy for the rest of the day after you have the abortion. Plan to take it easy on the day of your appointment and for the next few days. You might want to arrange to take a day off of work, or schedule the procedure for a weekend so you have time to rest.
Follow your doctor or clinic’s instructions for when you can have sex again, but you can take a shower as soon as you want to. Go in for follow-up appointment if you were instructed to do so.
Talk to friends or family members who have been through it before. Seek support if you can’t talk to your family. Contact a counselor at your school or at a health facility staffed with people who understand. There are also hotlines you can call when there’s no one in your life you want to discuss your situation with.
While it’s a very good idea to speak with a counselor about all your options, including deciding not to have an abortion and to become a parent instead, it’s important to be aware that there are people who might try to sway your decision. Crisis pregnancy centers will spread myths about abortion. Check their website for myths such as Post Abortion Syndrome, increased cancer risk, and inability to start a family in the future.
Be ready to encounter protesters at the clinic. They may be holding graphic signs, and they may attempt to talk to you or dissuade you from going in. Many clinics have volunteer escorts who will walk with you from the parking lot to the reception area so you don’t have to face the protesters on your own. If a protester offers you food or water, decline it. If you eat or drink, you won’t be able to get an abortion. The person isn’t being kind; they’re trying to stop your procedure against your will. Be ready to deal with people in your life who disagree with the decision. You may have friends or family members who don’t think you should have an abortion.
If you feel the need to discuss your experience and work through your emotions, consider talking to a counselor. You can also call Exhale, an after-abortion talk line that offers emotional support free of judgment, at 1-866-4-EXHALE. No matter what, realize it’s your right to have an abortion. It’s a medical decision concerning your health, so only you can make the choice. No matter how controversial abortion is, it’s legal and safe in the United States.
