Getting an abortion in the United States typically involves two options: taking medication at home or having a brief in-clinic procedure. Which one is available to you depends on how far along the pregnancy is, where you live, and your personal preference. Here’s what each path looks like from start to finish.
Medication Abortion (Up to 10 Weeks)
Medication abortion uses two pills taken over one to two days. It’s approved for pregnancies up to 10 weeks (70 days from the first day of your last period). On day one, you take the first pill by mouth. Then, 24 to 48 hours later, you take the second pill by placing it between your cheek and gum and letting it dissolve. The second pill causes cramping and bleeding that empties the uterus, similar to a heavy period. Most people complete the process at home.
You can get these pills from a clinic, a doctor’s office, or in many states through a telehealth appointment where a provider mails the medication to you. The average cost at Planned Parenthood is around $580, though it can range up to $800 without insurance.
In-Clinic Procedure (First and Second Trimester)
For pregnancies in the first trimester, clinics use a suction-based procedure that typically takes 5 to 10 minutes. A provider gently opens the cervix and uses a small tube to empty the uterus. You’ll receive pain management, which can range from local numbing to light sedation depending on the clinic and your preference. The average cost for a first-trimester procedure at Planned Parenthood is about $600.
For pregnancies between 13 and 24 weeks, a different procedure is used that combines specialized instruments with suction. This takes longer and requires the cervix to be gradually softened and opened beforehand, sometimes starting a day or two before the procedure itself. Costs increase with gestational age. Early in the second trimester, the average is around $715. Later in the second trimester, it can run between $1,500 and $2,000.
How to Find a Provider
Your starting point matters because abortion access varies dramatically by state. Some states ban abortion entirely or restrict it after six weeks, while others protect access well into the second trimester or beyond. The Guttmacher Institute maintains an interactive map that shows current policies in every state, which is useful for understanding what’s available where you live or where you might need to travel.
To find a legitimate clinic, use Planned Parenthood’s online locator, which shows health centers that provide abortion care and lets you schedule directly. Other verified directories include the National Abortion Federation hotline and ineedana.com. Be cautious with general internet searches. “Crisis pregnancy centers” often appear in results designed to look like abortion clinics but do not provide or refer for abortions. A real provider will clearly state that they offer abortion services on their website.
What to Know If You’re Under 18
Thirty-eight states require some form of parental involvement before a minor can get an abortion. Twenty-one of those require parental consent, ten require parental notification, and seven require both. If involving a parent isn’t safe or possible, 37 states offer a legal process called judicial bypass. This lets you go before a judge who can approve the abortion without your parents knowing. Courts generally grant the bypass if the minor demonstrates maturity or if the abortion is in the minor’s best interest. Sixteen states specifically allow bypass when abuse, assault, or incest is involved.
The Steps From Start to Finish
Regardless of which method you choose, the general process follows the same sequence. First, confirm the pregnancy with a home test or clinic visit. Then determine how far along you are, counted from the first day of your last period. Next, check the laws in your state to understand what’s available and whether you need to travel. Contact a provider to schedule an appointment. Some states have mandatory waiting periods between a consultation and the procedure itself, so ask about this when you call.
At your appointment, a provider will confirm the pregnancy’s gestational age (usually with an ultrasound), discuss your options, and walk through what to expect. If you’re having a medication abortion, you may take the first pill at the clinic or receive both pills to take at home. If you’re having a procedure, most first-trimester appointments are completed in a single visit lasting a few hours including recovery time.
Recovery and What’s Normal Afterward
Cramping and bleeding are expected after both types of abortion. Cramps typically last two to three days and get milder each day. Bleeding continues for up to two weeks and feels similar to a period. Nausea, diarrhea, and a brief low-grade fever can also occur, especially with medication abortion.
Contact your provider if, 24 hours after the abortion, you experience bleeding that’s much heavier than a heavy period, worsening abdominal pain instead of improving pain, fever that persists, or foul-smelling discharge. These can be signs of infection, which is uncommon but treatable when caught early.
Paying for an Abortion
If you have private insurance, check whether your plan covers abortion. Coverage varies by state and by employer. Medicaid covers abortion in some states but not others. For those paying out of pocket, several national funds help cover costs. The National Abortion Federation Hotline connects callers with financial assistance. Local abortion funds, organized by state or region, can help cover the procedure itself plus travel and lodging if you need to go out of state. Many clinics also offer sliding-scale fees based on income.
Self-Managed Abortion
Some people obtain abortion medication online without a formal clinic visit, particularly in states with bans or severe restrictions. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists notes that the majority of self-managed medication abortions are completed safely. Medically, the process works the same way it does under clinical supervision.
The risks here are primarily legal, not medical. Many states have laws that could be used to prosecute someone for ending a pregnancy outside the formal healthcare system. ACOG has stated that the greatest risk of harm from self-managed abortion comes not from the medication itself but from the threat of criminalization. If you do need medical attention afterward, the symptoms of medication abortion are identical to those of a natural miscarriage, and healthcare providers cannot distinguish between the two.