Yes, you can get an abortion at 14 weeks in many parts of the United States, though availability depends on where you live. At 14 weeks, you are just entering the second trimester, and the procedure used at this stage differs from what’s available earlier in pregnancy. Medication abortion (the abortion pill) is not an option at 14 weeks, since it is only FDA-approved through 10 weeks of pregnancy. Instead, you would have a surgical procedure.
Where It’s Legal at 14 Weeks
Abortion at 14 weeks is legal in roughly 30 states plus Washington, D.C. Nine states and D.C. have no gestational limits at all: Alaska, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont. Another 18 states allow abortion up to or near fetal viability (generally around 24 weeks), including California, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Massachusetts. Four states set limits between 15 and 22 weeks: Kansas, Ohio, Utah, and Wisconsin. All of these permit abortion at 14 weeks.
However, many states have banned abortion earlier than 14 weeks or banned it almost entirely. If you live in one of those states, you would need to travel to a state where the procedure is available. Organizations that help with travel logistics and funding exist in most regions.
The Procedure at 14 Weeks
At 14 weeks, the standard procedure is called dilation and evacuation, or D&E. It combines gentle suction with instruments to empty the uterus, and it is typically performed in a clinic or outpatient setting rather than a hospital. The procedure itself usually takes 10 to 20 minutes, though you’ll spend additional time at the clinic for preparation and monitoring afterward.
Because the cervix needs to open wider than it would for a first-trimester procedure, your provider will likely use cervical preparation beforehand. This can involve a small device inserted into the cervix a few hours before the procedure that gradually absorbs moisture and expands, or a medication placed vaginally or under the tongue two to four hours ahead of time. Cervical preparation is recommended for all patients at 12 to 14 weeks to make the procedure smoother and reduce the risk of complications.
You’ll receive pain management during the procedure, which may range from local numbing of the cervix to oral sedation or IV sedation depending on the clinic and your preference.
Safety and Complication Rates
Surgical abortion at 14 weeks is a safe procedure. A large Australian study reviewing over 2,100 second-trimester D&E procedures found an overall complication rate of 2.17%, with a major complication rate of just 0.55%. Patients under 20 weeks had even lower complication rates than those further along, at 1.71% overall. The most common complications were manageable issues like heavier-than-expected bleeding, and a separate study found that D&E had fewer complications than the alternative method of labor induction, with only 1% of D&E patients experiencing any complication compared to 7% with induction.
Risk does increase with gestational age, which is one reason timely access matters. At 14 weeks, you’re at the lower end of the second-trimester range, where complication rates are closest to those of first-trimester procedures.
Waiting Periods Can Affect Timing
If you’re approaching 14 weeks, be aware that many states require a mandatory waiting period between an initial counseling appointment and the procedure itself. Some states require 24 hours, while others require 72 hours. In states that mandate in-person counseling, this means two separate trips to the clinic. If you’re near a gestational limit or trying to get the procedure done as early as possible, factor in these extra days when scheduling.
What Recovery Looks Like
Most people rest the day of the procedure and return to normal activities the following day. If you received IV sedation, you won’t be able to drive for 24 hours, so plan for someone to take you home.
Bleeding after a 14-week procedure can last up to four weeks, though it’s often lighter and intermittent. Some people experience an episode of heavier bleeding and cramping four to six days afterward, which is normal. Small blood clots, ranging from red to dark purple, are expected. You should use pads rather than tampons for the first two weeks.
To lower the risk of infection, avoid vaginal intercourse, tampons, baths, swimming, and douching for two weeks after the procedure. Showers are fine. Cramping typically lasts a few days and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relief.
Cost and Financial Help
The average cost of an abortion early in the second trimester is around $715, according to Planned Parenthood. This can vary by clinic, location, and the type of sedation you choose. Later in the second trimester, costs rise to $1,500 to $2,000, so getting the procedure at 14 weeks rather than waiting is less expensive as well as lower risk. Many clinics offer sliding-scale fees or can connect you with financial assistance programs that help cover the procedure and related costs like transportation.
Why Timing Matters
At 14 weeks, you’re past the window for medication abortion but still early enough in the second trimester that the surgical procedure is straightforward, low-risk, and widely available in states where abortion is legal. Complication rates, cost, and procedural complexity all increase with gestational age. If you’re considering an abortion around this time, scheduling promptly helps you avoid crossing into later weeks where fewer providers offer services, waiting periods become more consequential, and the procedure becomes more involved.