Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Viability is the stage of pregnancy when a fetus has developed enough that it is able to survive outside the uterus with medical help. When it happens depends on how the fetus is developing and can be different for every pregnancy. A health care provider can determine whether a pregnancy has reached viability.

Some states require a delay (called a waiting period) before you can get an abortion. Depending on the state, this works one of three ways.

• States with an extra visit plus a delay: Some states require you to go to an in-person pre-abortion visit followed by a delay of hours or days before you can go to your actual abortion visit. For example, North Carolina state law requires an in-person pre-abortion visit and then at least a 72-hour delay before an abortion visit. That means depending on where you're located and how far along you are, traveling to a state farther than North Carolina might actually be easier, cheaper and faster overall.
• States with a delay (but not an extra visit): Other states don’t require an extra visit but do require a delay of hours or days between scheduling your abortion and having it. For example, Georgia requires at least a 24-hour delay between booking your abortion and your abortion visit.

States with no delays or extra visits: Some states don’t require a delay or extra visit, which means you can have your abortion as soon as your provider can schedule you. Keep in mind state-required delays when choosing a provider.

The further along in pregnancy you are when you get an abortion, the more complicated and more expensive it can be and the harder it can be to find an abortion provider. How far along you are can also affect what type(s) of abortion are available to you, since the abortion pill (medication abortion) is only available through around 14 weeks of pregnancy (and with many providers, it isn’t even available through around 14 weeks of pregnancy). Also some states don’t allow abortion past a certain point in pregnancy.

It’s important to take the time you need to make a decision about whether you want to get an abortion. Just keep in mind that the sooner you seek abortion services, the less expensive and easier it will be, and the more options you might have.

There are two main ways abortion can be done: the abortion pill (also called medication abortion) and an abortion procedure (also called in-clinic abortion).

Everyone is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to what type of abortion is better. Both types of abortion have a very low risk of serious complications. Which one is right for you will depend on a lot of factors, including what’s available closest to your location and how far along in pregnancy you are, since the abortion pill is generally only available earlier in pregnancy (and each provider has its own rules about how far into pregnancy they offer it–some may offer it through around 14 weeks of pregnancy and some may stop offering it much earlier in pregnancy).

For some people, being able to have their abortion at home at a time that works for them is the most important thing. For some, an abortion with the abortion pill feels more like a “natural” process because it’s similar to an early miscarriage.

For those who want it to be over as quickly as possible, it’s important to know that the abortion may take several hours when you take the abortion pill, but it usually takes just 5 to 10 minutes when you have an abortion procedure. Others may want to get an abortion procedure because they’re able to get IV sedation that makes them very relaxed or puts them to sleep so that they don’t have to experience the abortion itself. And still others choose an abortion procedure because it is more likely to be effective than the abortion pill, especially the later in pregnancy you are.

For more help deciding what type of abortion makes the most sense for you, check our list of pros and cons for each abortion type.

Some states have laws that allow you to do your counseling appointment via telehealth, and then do your ultrasound and abortion at the same appointment, if you have to travel a long distance to get an abortion. These laws prevent you from having to travel a long distance twice or having to stay far from home during the waiting period. If you’re going to have to travel a long way for your abortion, ask if virtual counseling is an option when you call to make your appointment.

Other states may allow you to get abortion pills online through telehealth, which means you don’t have to meet with a provider in person to have an abortion.

Legal abortion performed by a certified health care provider is very safe, just like many other common outpatient procedures. The rate of major complications is low, at 0.23%, which is similar to the rate of major complications caused by colonoscopies. And it actually has a lower rate of complications than wisdom tooth removal. The earlier in pregnancy you get an abortion, the lower the chances are of complications.

Abortion doesn’t cause long-term health risks or affect your chances of getting pregnant in the future.

If you’re pregnant and still deciding what you want to do, you have options. Abortion is one, and adoption and parenting are others. We have more information about abortion, adoption, and parenting to help you make the decision that is right for you. You can also check out All-Options for more information and to talk with impartial, non-judgmental counselors.

It’s important to take the time you need to make this decision. Just keep in mind that the further along you are in pregnancy, the more complicated and expensive it may become to get an abortion and the fewer options of abortion providers you may have.

Depending on availability and other factors, you may take two different medications (mifepristone and misoprostol) or only one type of medication (just misoprostol) for a medication abortion.

If you’re having a medication abortion using two different medications (mifepristone and misoprostol), and your abortion appointment is in person, the provider will give you the first medication (mifepristone) at the health center and the second medication (misoprostol) to use up to 48 hours later at home (or somewhere else safe and comfortable). The health center you’re going to should give you specific instructions about what to bring and do to prepare for the appointment where you will take the first medication, but make sure you bring:

• Your insurance card if you have insurance and want to use it.
• A photo ID (you may not need this if you don’t plan to use insurance).
• A form of payment the provider accepts.
• A list of all of the medications you take regularly, including vitamins and supplements.
• A list of any medical conditions you have.
• Money for public transportation if that’s how you’ll be getting home.

If you’re having a medication abortion using only one medication (misoprostol), your provider will probably have you take three doses of the medicine three hours apart. Each dose will be four pills, for a total of 12 pills. All three doses will be taken in a safe place of your choosing. Because the side effects may be more severe with a misoprostol-only medication abortion, it’s a good idea to find a place that is as comfortable as possible, with access to a bathroom.

Telehealth abortion providers (providers who offer the abortion pill online using telehealth) may ask you for the same type of documentation as in-person providers. However, because of state restrictions and other factors, telehealth abortion providers may have additional requirements for who is eligible to get a telehealth abortion from them. For example, many telehealth providers require that you have a mailing address in the state they serve. That means they may ask you to provide additional information– such as a mailing address–before your telehealth abortion pill visit.

Before your appointment, make sure you:

• Ask if there is anything you should avoid eating, drinking, or doing leading up to your appointment.
• Ask which of your medications you should continue to take leading up to your appointment and which (if any) you shouldn’t take.
• Don’t take any additional over-the-counter medications, like Tylenol or Advil, before your appointment, unless your health care provider tells you to. Avoid any substances that will alter your mental state, like alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs, on the day of your abortion.
• Ask what over-the-counter pain medication you can take during your abortion if your provider doesn’t offer you prescription pain medication.

To prepare for taking the misoprostol (whether you already took mifepristone or are only taking misoprostol), you may want to gather the following supplies in advance:

• A heating pad
• Comfortable clothes, including comfy underwear
• Super absorbent maxi pads
• A blanket in case you have chills
• Ice chips and/or popsicles to suck on in case you have nausea or vomiting
• Gatorade or another drink that contains electrolytes for rehydrating if you have vomiting or diarrhea.
• Easily digestible food like plain crackers, white rice, bananas, broth, and plain white bread
• Something to distract you, like movies, TV, magazines, coloring books, or video games
• A friend or other support person to keep you company and help you with anything you need help with

Some providers may also suggest you eat lightly before taking the second type of medication since it may cause nausea, diarrhea, or an upset stomach.

If you’re having an abortion procedure, the abortion provider you’re going to should give you specific instructions about what to bring and what to do to prepare for your appointment, but in most cases:

• Bring a list of all of the medications that you take regularly, including vitamins and supplements, to your counseling appointment and your abortion procedure appointment.

• Bring a list of any medical conditions you have.

• Discuss which of your medications you should continue to take leading up to your abortion and which (if any) you shouldn’t take.

• Don’t take any additional over-the-counter medications, like over-the-counter pain medication, before your appointment, unless your health care provider tells you to.

• Wear comfortable clothes to your appointment.

• If you’ll be getting IV sedation for your abortion procedure, you will need to fast for several hours (your provider will tell you how long) before the procedure. That means no food at all, but clear liquids may be allowed. Talk to your provider about what you can and can’t eat and drink before your abortion.

• Arrange for a support person to pick you up afterwards. If you’re having sedation with your procedure, you won’t be able to drive, take public transportation, or take a cab or other ride service by yourself afterwards and will be required to have someone pick you up.

If you’re having an abortion procedure, the abortion provider you’re going to should give you specific instructions about what to bring and do to prepare for your appointment, but make sure you bring:

• Your insurance card if you have insurance and want to use it.

• A photo ID (you may not need this if you don’t plan to use insurance).

• A form of payment the provider accepts.

• A list of all of the medications that you take regularly, including vitamins and supplements.

• A list of any medical conditions you have.

• An extra pair of comfortable underwear (think: granny panties) that you can use a maxi pad with.

• Something to read or do (like knitting, a crossword puzzle, or coloring) while you wait.

• Comfy clothes to leave in. You can wear comfortable clothes to your appointment (we’d recommend something without a tight waistband) and then wear the same clothes home, or you can change into comfortable clothes after the procedure.

• If your provider says you’re allowed to drink clear liquids leading up to your procedure, bring the clear liquid of your choice — this could include water, apple juice, tea without milk, or sports drinks. If you’re not sure if something counts as a clear liquid, ask someone at the health center.

• Money for public transportation if that’s how you’ll be getting home. If you are choosing to have sedation during your procedure, you’ll need a support person to go with you on public transportation, ride with you in a cab or other ride service, or drive you home.

• A support person, if you have one. This person may be able to wait for you in the waiting room, or they may need to wait outside due to COVID-19 restrictions. They can also just come pick you up after the procedure. This will be required if you have sedation during your procedure.

Avoid any substances that will alter your mental state, like alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs, on the day of your abortion. If you’ve used these substances, the health care provider may not be able to offer you pain medication or may not be able to perform your abortion at all. If you’re concerned about pain or you’re feeling anxious, many abortion providers offer pain medication and medication for anxiety. Talk to your provider in advance about what they can do for you.

How long an abortion takes depends on what type of abortion it is.

If you’re having a medication abortion with two different medications (mifepristone and misoprostol), you’ll get the first medication at your provider’s office and the second one to use at home (or someplace else safe and comfortable) one or two days later. The first medication stops the pregnancy from continuing to develop, and the second medication starts the actual abortion process. Once you take the second medication, the abortion can take up to several hours to be completed.

If you’re having a medication abortion with just one medication (only misoprostol), you will probably take four pills three times, every three hours. So, for example, if you take the first dose of four pills at noon, you’d take the second dose of four pills at 3 pm and the third dose of four pills at 6 pm. You’ll be taking a total of twelve pills over the course of 6 hours. Your provider may also tell you to take a fourth dose. Different providers may give different instructions, so make sure to read any instructions that are given to you. It’s important to take all of the pills that your provider tells you to take to end the pregnancy.

With a misoprostol-only medication abortion, bleeding should start within four hours after taking the first dose. It may be heavy. You may have very strong cramping and pass large blood clots. Some side effects of the medication may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, back pain, headache, dizziness, and feeling tired. You may also have a mild fever on the day you take the pills.

With the abortion procedure, the actual abortion typically only takes five to ten minutes, though you should plan on being at your abortion provider’s office for a few hours.

We would love to be able to tell you exactly what you can expect to feel during your abortion, but unfortunately there is no one answer to this question that will be true for everyone. Some people experience very little pain, like mild period cramps, and some people experience very intense pain, which feels more like the pain of the contractions you’d have when giving birth.

The type of abortion you have will affect how long you’re in pain for and whether or not you can be sedated during the abortion. If you’re 13 weeks, 6 days pregnant or less, you may have a choice between the abortion pill (also called medication abortion) and the abortion procedure (also called in-clinic abortion).

The other thing that may affect your decision if you’re concerned about pain is that the abortion procedure itself only takes 5 to 10 minutes, while the abortion can take several hours if you choose the abortion pill.

If you have the abortion procedure, you may have the option to be sedated with IV medication. If you have “conscious sedation” administered this way you’ll be awake but very relaxed, and the procedure should be virtually pain-free. If you have general anesthesia, which is a type of IV sedation that puts you to sleep completely, you won’t feel or experience anything during the procedure—you’ll simply wake up when it’s over. If you’re not sedated, the painful part of the abortion will typically only last five to ten minutes. You should be offered pain medication that you can take by mouth if you’re not choosing sedation, and you may also be offered anti-anxiety medication that you can take by mouth. You will also have a numbing medication injected into your cervix.

Many people find that any cramping is gone by the time they leave the health center, but you may experience some cramping or pain after the procedure. A heating pad should help reduce pain after the procedure.

The level of pain people experience when having a medication abortion varies. For some people it may be similar to a heavy period and for others it may be more intense. If you choose the abortion pill, you can take over-the-counter pain medications or your provider may prescribe you pain medication for you to take at home. In addition to pain medicine, you may find that using a heating pad reduces pain. Other techniques like breathing exercises and meditation can also help with pain.

If you’re having an abortion procedure, you may have the option to have IV sedation during your procedure. If you have “conscious sedation” administered this way, you’ll be awake but very relaxed, and the procedure should be virtually pain-free. If you have general anesthesia, which is a type of IV sedation that puts you to sleep completely, you won’t feel or experience anything during the procedure—you’ll simply wake up and it will be over. Sedation generally costs extra.

During the abortion, you’ll be undressed from the waist down with a sheet over your lap. If you prefer, you can wear a long, flowy skirt or dress, and then you can just remove your underwear and pull the skirt up. (Just keep in mind that if you wear a jumpsuit or romper, you will have to take the whole thing off.) You’ll lie back on an exam table with your feet in stirrups—just like when you go to a gynecologist or other provider to get a Pap smear or a swab for a yeast infection. The health care provider will use a speculum to separate the walls of your vagina in order to get a good view of the cervix, and they will then inject numbing medication into your cervix. For abortions early in pregnancy, the provider will then dilate (open) your cervix. Soon after, the abortion provider will use a gentle suction to empty your uterus. The procedure itself typically takes only a few minutes to complete.

If your pregnancy is more than 16 weeks along, you may need an extra step to dilate your cervix more before the procedure to make it easier to complete the abortion. You’ll either take a medication to dilate your cervix, or a health care provider will insert a special dilator called laminaria into your cervix. The laminaria will slowly expand and open your cervix gradually. This kind of abortion is called a D&E—dilation and evacuation. The dilators—whether it’s medication or laminaria—may take a few hours or overnight to work. After your cervix is properly dilated, the abortion provider will use suction and some tools to gently empty your uterus.

After an abortion procedure, you’ll spend a little time in a recovery room before heading home. If you’ve been given sedatives, you’ll need someone to help you get home, like a partner, friend, or family member, even if you’re taking public transportation or taking a cab or rideshare service.

If you have an abortion procedure, you may have some cramping and bleeding in the days after your abortion, but it should taper off over the next week or so. Some people have almost no bleeding, and others have spotting that lasts a few weeks. It varies from person to person, but generally the earlier in pregnancy you have the abortion, the less cramping and bleeding you can expect afterwards. You can go back to regular activities the very next day, and you can have sex again as soon as you feel ready.

If you have a medication abortion, once you’ve passed the pregnancy tissue, bleeding should decrease over a few days after the pregnancy tissue passes, but you may bleed like you’re having a period for a week or two after, and you could continue bleeding for up to 6 weeks. The bleeding should get lighter over time, but it’s normal for it to stop and start. Just like with the abortion procedure, if you have a medication abortion, you can go back to work, school, taking care of your kids, or your other normal activities the next day, but if you’ve had a misoprostol-only medication abortion, you should avoid hard physical labor and heavy exercise for a few days. You can have sex again as soon as you feel ready after medication abortion.

Some health care providers will recommend a follow-up appointment a few weeks after your medication abortion to make sure the pregnancy is over.

Some health care providers prescribe preventive antibiotics for all people having an abortion.

You should get your period within 8 weeks of having an abortion. But you can get pregnant again before then if you aren’t using birth control and you’re having penis-in-vagina sex. If it’s been 8 weeks or more since your abortion, and you haven’t had a period, contact a healthcare provider.

Your abortion provider should give you information about when and how to contact them after an abortion, but if they don’t, ask them for emergency contact information and for what things to watch out for.

Generally though, contact your abortion provider (or your regular health care provider) after an abortion procedure if you experience:

• Excessive bleeding (defined as soaking two pads per hour for two hours)
• Fever higher than 100.4
• Pain that is getting worse or that doesn’t go away with over-the-counter painkillers

If you are having a medication abortion using two different medicines (mifepristone and misoprostol), contact your abortion provider if you are having:

• Excessive bleeding (This means soaking two pads per hour for two hours or passing blood clots larger than the size of a lemon. Keep in mind that it is normal for bleeding to be heavy and for you to pass blood clots. But if you’re worried about the amount of bleeding you’re having, you can always contact your abortion provider.)
• Pain that is getting worse or that isn’t going away with over-the-counter painkillers

If it’s been more than 24 hours since you took the your last dose of misoprostol, and you are having any of the following, contact your abortion provider:

• No bleeding yet
• Fever higher than 100.4 F
• Chills
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

If you’re having a medication abortion using only one medicine (misoprostol), contact your abortion provider if you are experiencing any of the following:

• Passing blood clots bigger than the size of a lemon
• Excessive bleeding (This means soaking two pads per hour for two hours or passing blood clots larger than the size of a lemon. Keep in mind that it is normal for bleeding to be heavy and for you to pass blood clots. But if you’re worried about the amount of bleeding you’re having, you can always contact your abortion provider.)
• No bleeding yet if it’s been 24 hours since you took your last dose of the medicine
• Fever higher than 100.4 F if it’s been more than 24 hours since you took the medicine
• Weakness, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea for longer than 24 hours after you took the medicine
• Stomach pain or cramps that don’t feel better when you take a pain reliever

If you need help paying for your abortion, you can see if you qualify to get funding to cover some of the cost.

To start, make an appointment with a provider. Ask your provider about what financial assistance may be available to you. Many providers work directly with organizations called abortion funds to offer financial support.

Here are a few key things to know about abortion funds:

• Each fund has different rules about who is eligible to get funding.
• Each fund has a different range of funding amounts they may be able to offer. Most funds require that you have already scheduled an abortion appointment before you can start the process of applying for funding.

To start the process of applying for funding from an abortion fund, you’ll give them some basic information to see if you qualify. Here are some common things funds may ask to see if you’re eligible to get financial assistance from them:

• Your pregnancy stage
• Your total household income
• The number of people in your household
• The state you’re located in
• The name of the health center or provider where you’ll have your abortion appointment
• The state where your health center or provider is located
• The date of your abortion appointment
• The cost of your abortion

Abortion funds can help you cover the medical cost of an abortion.

Practical support organizations can help you cover the cost of other parts of the abortion process, like travel. They also offer logistical and emotional support to people who need an abortion.

Some organizations offer both abortion funding and practical support.

A practical support organization may help with things such as:

• Travel (both short and long distances) to get an abortion
• Lodging if you have to travel
• Childcare during abortion appointments
• Meals while traveling
• Emotional support
• Judicial bypass (for people under 18 in certain U.S. states)

Each organization has a different process to apply for and receive assistance. Sometimes you can directly apply for assistance from an organization. Other times, an organization may ask that you apply for assistance through your provider. Check the organization’s website for the specifics of how to apply for assistance.

Here is how the process of directly applying for assistance from an organization typically works:

1. Contact the organization.

Depending on the organization, you may need to provide some key information by doing one of the following:

• Calling a phone number
• Texting a phone number
• Sending an email
• Filling out and submitting an online form

Each organization will ask you to provide different information to apply for assistance. Here are some of the most common pieces of information they may ask you to provide:

• Your pregnancy stage
• Your total household income
• The number of people in your household
• The state you’re located in
• The name of the health center or provider where you’ll have your abortion appointment
• The state where your health center or provider is located
• The date of your abortion appointment
• The cost of your abortion
• Other needs (like support with travel or childcare) you may have

2. Receive a response from the organization.

Once an organization has received your information, they’ll review it to see if you’re eligible to get support from them. Most organizations will contact you within 72 hours to let you know if you’re eligible for assistance and what assistance you’re eligible to get.

3. Get assistance (if you’re eligible).

If you’re eligible, the organization will give you a “pledge” of assistance that will give you the details about what they are able to provide.

The exact way you’ll get assistance from an organization depends on what kind of assistance you’re getting and on the process the organization uses. You’ll most likely need to follow up with the organization one or more times to finish the process of getting assistance.

Yes, many people get support from more than one organization. If you need to, you can apply for and get assistance from more than one organization.

It is important to note that to get assistance from more than one organization, you must:

• Meet each organization’s requirements for eligibility;
• Go through each organization’s process of applying for and receiving assistance.

One type of state law that could affect your abortion has to do with how far along in pregnancy abortion is allowed in your state. (How far along you are in pregnancy is calculated based on the first day of your last period. We’ll figure it out for you—just give us the first day of your last period.) For example, some states might allow abortions through 14 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy. Other states might allow them through 20 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy. Still others don’t have any specific limits on how far along in pregnancy you can get an abortion. Some states ban abortion completely.

In addition to these state limits, individual abortion providers decide how far into pregnancy they want to offer abortion, so just because your state doesn’t ban abortion until 22 weeks doesn’t mean every abortion provider will offer abortions through 22 weeks.

It’s legal for you to travel to another state to get an abortion, so if providers aren’t available in your state or if you’re past your state’s pregnancy stage limit, we’ll help you figure out where it will be possible for you to get an abortion.

How far along you are in pregnancy is calculated based on the first day of your last period. How far along you are affects a lot about abortion, including what types of abortion are available to you. Also some states don’t allow abortion past a certain point in pregnancy. If you give us the first day of your last period, we’ll calculate how far along you are and provide you with additional information to help you navigate selecting an abortion provider. We’ll also show you a list of results for providers that offer abortion services at your pregnancy stage.

There are laws in many states that require people younger than 18 to involve a parent or guardian before they can get an abortion. We ask for your age so we can let you know if any of these laws will affect you. We will never share your personal information.

We created AbortionFinder because for too many people, the process of figuring out where and how to get an abortion is confusing, complicated, and overwhelming. We believe it should be easier for people across the United States to access abortion. AbortionFinder is an easy-to-use search tool connected to a comprehensive nationwide database of abortion providers and support resources. It will help you find the provider and support that can best meet your needs based on your location, age, and how far along in pregnancy you are.

Since our launch in 2020, we continue to update our list of abortion providers from various sources, including the ANSIRH Abortion Facility Database, the National Abortion Federation, the Abortion Care Network, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Power to Decide verifies that each provider included in the AbortionFinder database provides abortion. All providers listed on AbortionFinder are either affiliated with one of the above member groups, completed fellowship training in abortion care, or received a recommendation from someone in the abortion care community.

We regularly check that the information we have about each of the providers in AbortionFinder — including contact information, hours, and what services they offer — is up to date and accurate.

We use a variety of strategies to make sure we are sharing the most up-to-date information we can about abortion providers, support organizations and resources, and abortion laws on AbortionFinder.

Actual human beings at Power to Decide contact every provider included in the AbortionFinder database to verify that they currently provide abortion care. We also regularly check that the information we have about each of the providers in AbortionFinder — including contact information, hours, and what services they offer — is accurate.

In addition to our review of websites and social channels, we reach out to all organizations that offer funding, legal, travel, and other forms of support periodically to review and confirm the information we list.

To provide accurate and relevant information on our state guide pages, we track laws that have been enacted, are in effect, or are enjoined related to gestational limits, gestational limit exceptions allowed, parental involvement, telehealth, waiting periods, state-mandated counseling, and insurance coverage of abortion across all 50 states, DC, and Puerto Rico. We consult with coalition partners across the movement to ensure alignment on policy changes.

We supplement our proactive outreach processes by building partnerships with the abortion care community to make sure we are aware of changes to services and offerings as soon as possible.

There are a few ways that we think using AbortionFinder is better than using Google to find an abortion provider.

1. We make sure every health center we list is a legitimate abortion provider.

Power to Decide verifies that each provider included in the AbortionFinder database provides abortion. There are “crisis pregnancy centers” across the country that can and do advertise on Google as offering pregnancy options, when in fact they don’t offer abortions.

2. We tailor the results we give you based on how far along you are in pregnancy, not just where you’re located.

If you give us the first day of your last period, we will tailor the list of results we give you to be the most relevant to you. We’ll inform you of any relevant state laws and any other restrictions you may face.