How to Get an Abortion 101 – Terms, Costs, and FAQs Answered
Happy Wednesday! So, if you’re looking for how to get an abortion and be safe and medically-accurate about it, welcome. This is a safe(r) space for ALL pregnancy options and pregnant people. So, let’s get into it. Oh, and this is based for the USA. Note, I have no affiliation with the links. I’m only raising awareness.
Welcome to my blog! I’m Sadia, a women’s health nurse practitioner, women’s health content writer, and social commentator. I do many things, but mostly, I write and speak my mind. All views my own unless stated otherwise. Grab something to drink and scroll away with me. It’ll be good for both of us, promise.
How to Get An Abortion 101
Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy. Second, abortion can either be spontaneous or planned. A spontaneous abortion is known as a miscarriage. Also, abortion has existed for centuries and will continue to exist as long as sperm exists. Don’t like the a word? Make sure sperm never goes near the uterus.
2. What is the difference between the medication and in-clinic abortion?
To determine how far along someone is in their pregnancy, you need to determine the first day of the last menstrual period. To consider with option to go with, you need to know when was the last time you had a period.
In-clinic abortion is often known as the surgical abortion or procedural abortion.
In-clinic abortion is effective throughout all stages of pregnancy.
It sounds more scary than the pill, but it’s more straightforward and faster.
In-clinic abortions a medical procedure in which a health care provider removes the contents of your uterus. In-clinic abortions can be performed during any trimester.
An in-clinic procedure is often faster than a medication abortion, and some places offer IV sedation.
You can still have vaginal bleeding after an in-clinic abortion.
You have to wait to be seen in a clinic, which, depending on where you live, can be anywhere from a few days to a few months.
Medication abortion is also known as the pill abortion, at home-abortion, and the “online abortion.”
Medication abortion is effective between 5 weeks to 10w6days pregnant.
Abortion pills are mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone stops the pregnancy tissue from growing. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and expel the contents of the uterus. There are people who use misoprostol for non-abortion related concerns, such as stomach ulcers or for having an IUD placed.
Note that misoprostol dissolves pretty fast in between the cheeks in your mouth compared to your vagina (hint hint).
However, medication abortion is not just take a few pills and move on. You will be having vaginal bleeding and cramping for 8-12 hours as you expel the contents of your uterus. Be prepared to be in the bathroom for a full day letting it all out.
Note, if you need emotional support while experiencing a miscarriage or at home abortion, contact https://www.mahotline.org.
If you’re considering the medication route, you can learn more here: https://www.plancpills.org or here https://www.howtouseabortionpill.org.
If you would like to discuss your thoughts on pregnancy options anonymously, you can learn more here: https://www.all-options.org/find-support/talkline/.
3. How safe is it?
Very safe. In fact, they are some of the safest medical procedures. It is far more risky to carry a pregnancy than to have an abortion.
4. How much does it cost?
How to get an abortion depends on what you want and how far along you are in the pregnancy. The medication option can cost about $300, plus taking time off of work, finding a bathroom, and so on. In-clinic procedures typically start at $500 and increase with cost as the pregnancy progresses. If you are concerned about costs, you can learn more from your local abortion fund!
5. Where can I get one?
So, laws are changing daily, and truth, solo nurse Sadia can’t keep up with all the changes. Here is a resource that keep up with every state’s new policies. Find out about your state’s laws here: https://www.abortionfinder.org/
Note, there’s a lot of concerns going on around digital safety. When considering how to get an abortion, please be aware of the Internet. Digital safety and using the Internet as someone with a uterus defies social norms. Those on the margins often face threats of violence daily on the Internet.
Plus, tracking and Internet surveillance is everywhere. Stay safe here: https://digitaldefensefund.org/learn
6. I’m not sure what to do. Can I talk to someone about this?
Sure, you can engage in a non-judgmental free conversation over on All-Options, a pregnancy options anonymous hotline. There are also a ton of online forums, but I would proceed with caution. The Internet is a wild place. And this is a sensitive topic for many people. A phone call might be better to air out all the concerns.
7. How do I talk about this with my community?
It depends on your community. Abortion is often considered a very political topic because the regulation of uteri is a result of white supremacist, colonialist, sexist, and capitalist ideologies to keep the rich richer and the poor destitute. I personally associate with people who are pro-abortion and can say the a-word. Community education and discussions can be a bit hit or miss.
I would recommend doing a community gauge, seeing how safe it is for you to do so, and reach out here for resources: https://www.plancpills.org
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8. How can I help?
Money. You’re going to go here, https://donations4abortion.com/funds-by-state, find an abortion fund in your area, and donate to a local ab fund. An abortion (ab) fund is a group of people who collect funds and then distribute those funds to people who need them to cover costs.
These funds are often volunteer-led, under-staffed, over-worked, and rarely recognized as “real work.” Ab funds are community funds that redistribute wealth. These funds give money to people who need funds. As a result, these funds are a threat to social order. Mostly because giving money to women directly is taboo, but y’all aren’t ready for that conversation yet.
Also, every state has an ab fund. States in the South have barely funded ab funds compared to those in the Northeast or West Coast. So, if you’re looking to splurge, show some love to Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, the Carolinas, Texas, Georgia, and Tennessee funds.
If you’re broke, tell your friends to donate. Promo these funds on any of your social media. If you’re friend-less, social media-less and broke, consider volunteering.
Here are all the links
Watch the world do its thing. Abortion will continue for as long as sperm exists. Prepare yourself and people you love on how to get an abortion. Do what you gotta do. Finally, whatever you decide to do with your body, I support you. Regardless of what the government says, it’s your body and your choice.
Finding an AB Fund: https://donations4abortion.com/funds-by-state
How to do a self-managed AB at home: https://abortionpillinfo.org/en/using-abortion-pills-for-safe-abortion-usa
Repro Legal Hotline: http://www.reprolegalhelpline.org
Abortion finder: https://www.ineedana.com
Another clinic finder: https://prochoice.org
Find a Planned Parenthood: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/abortion-access
Doula and emotional support: https://www.wearedopo.com/home
Infographic source: https://www.mariestopes.org.au/your-choices/surgical-abortion-vs-medical-abortion/
Hotline: https://www.all-options.org/find-support/talkline/
Medical terms defined: https://medlineplus.gov/abortion.html
More information: https://abortiononourownterms.org/self-managed-abortion/
DISCLAIMER: Nurse Sadia is a licensed and board-certified women’s health nurse practitioner and registered nurse. All information on this page and on www.digitalhealthcommunicator.com is for educational and informative purposes only. It is not meant to be used for self-diagnosing or self-treatment of any health-related conditions. While the information presented has used evidence-based research and guidelines for accuracy, Nurse Sadia cannot guarantee any inaccuracies as healthcare is rapidly evolving.
This information should not be used to substitute professional medical advice. Nurse Sadia is not responsible or liable for any damages, loss, injury, or any negative outcomes suffered as a result of personal reliance on the information contained on this website. Nurse Sadia also makes no guaranteed positive outcomes. Information is also subject to change as needed without notice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any healthcare decisions and ask about guidance for specific health conditions. Please do not disregard the advice of your healthcare provider or delay seeking care for health care conditions.
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