As a patient, you decide how and when you need abortion care on your own terms.
Here are the typical steps in an abortion journey, though they may vary by patient.
Step 1: Confirm your pregnancy
If you think you are pregnant, take an at-home pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy. You can also schedule an appointment with a provider to confirm your pregnancy and the gestational age (how far along you are).
Step 2: Understand your options
Once you have confirmed your pregnancy, several options are available: parenting, adoption or abortion (termination). Take your time to consider them all.
Step 3: Make your decision
Making your pregnancy decision is up to you, and everyone is different.
Step 4: Make Your Abortion Appointment
Your provider will help you schedule additional appointments depending on the type of abortion you need – medication or a procedural (in-clinic) abortion.
Step 5: Your Appointment Day
For a medication abortion, plan for the appointment to last around one hour. Afterwards, you can decide when to take the two-drug combination (mifepristone first; then misoprostol).
For a procedural abortion, plan to be in the clinic all day. The actual procedure takes less than 20 minutes. Your provider will discuss pain management options with you.
Step 6: Your Aftercare
Cramping and some bleeding are common symptoms after your abortion. Your clinic may be able to provide you with over-the-counter pain medication. See the Resources page if you need additional support, such as doula care.
Types of Abortion
There are two main types of abortion. Learn more about them here.
