Getting an abortion in the United States involves choosing between two main methods, finding a provider, and navigating costs and legal requirements that vary by state. The process depends largely on how far along the pregnancy is, where you live, and whether you pursue in-person or telehealth care. Here’s what you need to know at each step.
How Pregnancy Weeks Are Counted
Before anything else, you need to know how far along you are, because this determines which options are available. Gestational age is counted from the first day of your last menstrual period, not from the date of conception. That means by the time you miss a period, you’re already considered about four weeks pregnant. A home pregnancy test can confirm the pregnancy, but an ultrasound or clinical assessment pins down the timing more precisely.
This number matters because medication abortion is available up to 12 weeks (84 days) from the first day of your last period. In-clinic procedural abortion is available later, generally up to 24 weeks, and sometimes beyond that for medical reasons. The earlier you act, the more options you have and the simpler the process tends to be.
Medication Abortion: The Pill Option
Medication abortion uses two drugs taken in sequence. The first blocks progesterone, a hormone the pregnancy needs to continue. The second, taken 24 to 48 hours later, causes the uterus to cramp and empty, producing bleeding similar to an early miscarriage. The FDA-approved protocol covers pregnancies up to 10 weeks, though clinical practice extends use up to 12 weeks in many settings.
Success rates are high but vary with gestational age and the specific protocol used. Studies report complete abortion rates ranging from about 90% at 9 to 12 weeks to over 95% at earlier stages. In the small percentage of cases where the medication doesn’t fully work, a follow-up procedure is needed to complete the process.
The experience itself typically involves several hours of heavy cramping and bleeding, often starting within a few hours of taking the second pill. Most people pass the pregnancy tissue at home. Bleeding can last one to two weeks, though it gradually lightens. Many people manage pain with over-the-counter medications and a heating pad.
In-Clinic Procedural Abortion
A procedural abortion (sometimes called surgical abortion) is done at a clinic or medical office and uses gentle suction to empty the uterus. The appointment itself usually takes 5 to 15 minutes, though you’ll be at the clinic longer for intake, preparation, and recovery. It’s available throughout the first and second trimesters, and its success rate exceeds 98%.
Compared to the medication route, procedural abortion involves a shorter period of bleeding afterward and resolves in a single visit rather than unfolding over hours or days at home. Some people prefer it for that predictability. Others prefer medication abortion because it feels more private and doesn’t involve an in-person procedure. Neither option is inherently better; it comes down to your gestational age, health history, and personal preference.
Getting Abortion Pills Through Telehealth
About one in four abortions in the U.S. now happens via telehealth. The process involves a virtual consultation with a clinician, after which the pills are mailed directly to you. This has become a major access point, especially for people in states with limited clinic availability.
Several states that support abortion rights have enacted “shield laws” that protect clinicians who prescribe and mail abortion pills to patients in other states, including states where abortion is banned or heavily restricted. By late 2024, roughly 15% of all U.S. abortions involved pills mailed from shield-law states to places with bans or severe gestational limits. Eight states currently have these shield laws in effect.
That said, nine states (Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia) explicitly prohibit the use of telehealth for medication abortion or the mailing of abortion drugs. If you live in one of these states, telehealth providers operating under shield laws may still offer services, but legal risks can differ depending on your specific situation.
The cost difference is significant. The median out-of-pocket price for medication abortion at a brick-and-mortar facility is $563, while virtual clinics charge a median of $150. Online pharmacies listed through directories like Plan C range from as low as $25 without a clinician consultation to around $150 or more with one.
How to Find a Legitimate Provider
AbortionFinder.org maintains the most comprehensive verified directory of abortion providers in the U.S. It includes clinics affiliated with Planned Parenthood, the National Abortion Federation, and the Abortion Care Network, along with independent providers and support organizations. You enter your location and how far along you are, and it returns nearby options with contact information and details about services offered.
Be cautious with general internet searches. “Crisis pregnancy centers” sometimes appear in results and may look like abortion clinics but do not provide or refer for abortions. They exist to discourage the procedure. A verified directory sidesteps this problem.
What It Costs and How to Get Help Paying
Without insurance, the median cost for a first-trimester medication abortion is $563 at an in-person facility and $650 for a procedural abortion. Second-trimester procedures cost considerably more, and prices vary widely by state and clinic.
Insurance coverage depends on your plan and your state. Some private plans cover abortion, others don’t. Medicaid covers abortion only in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment under federal law, though a handful of states use their own funds to extend Medicaid coverage more broadly.
If cost is a barrier, abortion funds can help. The National Network of Abortion Funds (abortionfunds.org) connects you with local and national organizations that provide direct financial assistance to cover procedure costs. This money is not a loan. Many funds also help with logistics: travel, lodging, childcare, and translation services. Some funds work directly with you, while others coordinate through the clinic itself. Reaching out early gives these organizations more time to line up support.
Access for Minors
If you’re under 18, 38 states require some form of parental involvement before you can get an abortion. Twenty-one states require parental consent, ten require parental notification, and seven require both. Most states require involvement from only one parent, typically 24 or 48 hours before the procedure, though a few states require both parents.
If getting a parent involved isn’t safe or possible, 37 states offer a judicial bypass process. This allows you to go before a judge and request permission for the abortion without parental knowledge. Courts generally grant the bypass if you can demonstrate that you’re mature enough to make the decision or that the abortion is in your best interest. Sixteen states also allow bypass in cases involving abuse, assault, incest, or neglect. Every state with a parental involvement law includes an exception for medical emergencies.
The judicial bypass process can be stressful, but organizations like the National Abortion Federation hotline (1-800-772-9100) can help you navigate it and connect you with legal support.
Warning Signs After an Abortion
Both medication and procedural abortions are safe, with serious complications being uncommon. But certain symptoms afterward need immediate medical attention:
- Heavy bleeding: soaking through more than two maxi pads per hour for two consecutive hours, or more than six pads in 24 hours
- Fever: any fever after an abortion is considered abnormal and could signal infection
- Severe or worsening pelvic pain that doesn’t respond to pain medication
- Foul-smelling discharge, which may indicate infection
- Dizziness or fainting, which can indicate hemorrhage or another serious complication
Most people recover quickly. After a procedural abortion, many return to normal activities within a day or two. After medication abortion, cramping and bleeding taper off over one to two weeks. A follow-up appointment, either in person or via telehealth, confirms the abortion is complete.