Obtained from Planned Parenthood.
Planned Parenthood offers information on all pregnancy options including abortion, adoption, and becoming a parent. Our staff is here to discuss all of the options and to help you decide which one is right for you. Below is an overview of abortion options. You can find more information about laws in your state and how to get an abortion from your local Planned Parenthood health center or abortionfinder.org.
Q. How well does it work?
Abortion Pill
8 weeks or less: About 98 out of 100 times. From 8 to 9 weeks: About 96 out of 100 times. From 9 to 10 weeks: About 91 to 93 out of 100 times. From 10 to 11 weeks: About 98 out of 100 times with 2 doses of misoprostol.
In-Clinic Abortion
It almost always works – over 99% of the time.
Q. When can it be done?
Abortion Pill
Up to 11 weeks.
In-Clinic Abortion
Up to 13.6 weeks.
Q. How does it happen?
Abortion Pill
You take Mifepristone. Misoprostol up to 48 hours later to pass the pregnancy tissue. Some need a second dose of misoprostol. You have a follow-up ultrasound, blood test or urine pregnancy test to make sure it worked.
In-Clinic Abortion
In the clinic, your clinician will use gentle suction to remove the pregnancy. You will be in a recovery area until it’s safe to go home, usually after 15 to 45 minutes. In most cases, no follow-up appointment is needed.
Q. How long does it take?
Abortion Pill
Usually 24 hours or less, but it can take up to several days.
In-Clinic Abortion
About 10 minutes.
Q. How will I feel?
Abortion Pill
You’ll start to have strong cramps and bleeding within 1 to 4 hours after taking the misoprostol. You may have cramping on and off for 1 or 2 more days. You may also have: Fever of 99-100°F chills, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting, headache, dizziness, back pain, tiredness.
In-Clinic Abortion
You may feel: Mild to moderate cramping during and after the abortion. You may have cramping on and off for 1 or 2 more days.
Q. What can I do for pain?
Abortion Pill
Pain medicine is available. Your clinician will discuss your choices with you.
In-Clinic Abortion
Pain medicine is available. Your clinician will discuss your choices with you.
Q. How much will I bleed? For how long?
Abortion Pill
Heavy bleeding with clots is common after taking misoprostol. Bleeding may continue on and off for 4 to 6 weeks.
In-Clinic Abortion
Light or medium bleeding is common for 1 to 7 days. Bleeding may continue on and off for 4 to 6 weeks.
Q. What are the benefits?
Abortion Pill
It may feel more natural, like a miscarriage. Being at home may be more private and comfortable for you.
In-Clinic Abortion
It is over in a few minutes. You may have less bleeding than you would with the abortion pill. Clinic staff is there to support you.
Q. What are the risks?
Abortion Pill
If it doesn’t work, you may need to have a suction procedure to complete the process.
In-Clinic Abortion
Possible injury to cervix, uterus or other organs. If it doesn’t work, you may need to have a suction procedure to complete the process.
For Both Procedures, Risks Include:
Pregnancy does not end. Some of the pregnancy left in uterus, blood clots in uterus, heavy bleeding, infection, allergic reaction to medicines used, death.
Q. How much does it cost?
Abortion Pill
Cost varies. At Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon, our prompt pay discount price is approximately $550. Oregon Health Plan, private insurance and other funding sources may cover some, or all, of the costs.
In-Clinic Abortion
Cost varies. At Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon, our prompt pay discount price is approximately $550. Oregon Health Plan, private insurance and other funding sources may cover some, or all, of the costs.
Trust in Yourself:
Unplanned pregnancies and abortions are common. One in three people in the U.S. will have an abortion by age 45. This means that you probably know someone who has had an abortion – a sister, friend, aunt, cousin, mother, grandmother, or neighbor.
You may also feel like you’re the only one going through this experience. It can be comforting to know that there are many people right now making similar decisions and feeling similar emotions. You are not alone.
The decision you make is based on your life and your situation. Each one of us must make the decisions that we feel work best for us, our future, our family, our goals and our beliefs.
You may have a range of feelings about having an abortion, and that’s okay. Some people feel relief, some feel sadness and some feel very mixed emotions. You might even feel different things at different times. We know what this can be like, and we are here for you if you want to talk.
Some Additional Facts:
People of all ages, races, religions, and economic circumstances have abortions. Most women who have an abortion plan to be a parent at another time. Over half of people having abortions are already mothers.
Resources:
If you wish to talk to someone else, we can give you local contacts or you can call the resources listed below:
You can call EXHALE, a free confidential talk line for people who have had abortions. To speak with an experienced peer counselor, call 1-866-4-EXHALE (1-866-439-4253) or for more information visit online at https://exhaleprovoice.org.
You can call ALL-OPTIONS, a free confidential talk line where you can discuss all of your pregnancy options. They can provide support with pregnancy, parenting, abortion and adoption. Call 1-888-493-0092 or for more information visit online at: www.all-options.org.
Restrictions or Consent Requirements:
The decision to have an abortion is a person’s alone. The consent of a spouse, partner, or parent is not required for women 15 and older. No other individuals, spouse or otherwise, can legally prevent an abortion or compel an unwilling person to have an abortion. Minors: Oregon statute states any person who is 15 years of age or older may obtain hospital care, medical or surgical diagnosis or treatment, including abortion services, without parental consent.