Knowledge empowers informed decisions.
Explore the facts and statistics surrounding abortion care.
What is an Abortion?
Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy. Abortions are both safe and effective.
What are my options?
Procedure Abortions:
Suction abortions are the most frequent in-clinic abortion procedure. It works by using gentle suction to remove the contents of the uterus and is typically performed up to 14–16 weeks after the first day of one's last period.
A dilation and evacuation (D&E) procedure is another type of in-clinic abortion. This method combines suction with specialized medical instruments to empty the uterus. A D&E is generally performed later in pregnancy than a suction abortion, most often after 16 weeks since one's last period.
Medication Abortions:
Medication abortions, or the abortion pill, consists of taking two different medicines to end a pregnancy: mifepristone and misoprostol. Misoprostol can also be taken alone to have an abortion.
Mifepristone is the first pill that is taken and it blocks the body's own progesterone, stopping the pregnancy from growing.
The second pill, misoprostol, is either taken right away or up to 48 hours later. This medicine causes cramping and bleeding to empty the uterus. It’s compared to having a really heavy period with cramps.