Abortion is a very safe procedure.

Here are the facts about your options, the different

kinds of abortion, and what to expect.

What are the different kinds of abortion?

Medication abortion, also known as the “abortion pill,” is when you
take medicines that you get from a trained doctor or nurse to end an
early pregnancy. In-clinic abortion is done in a health center by a
trained doctor or nurse. Both kinds of abortion are safe and effective.

First trimester abortion facts:

Common Question In-Clinic Abortion
How does it work?
A doctor or nurse uses medical
instruments and gentle suction to
remove the pregnancy from your
uterus.
How well does it work?
It works more than 99% of the
time.
Medication Abortion
You take pills that end your
pregnancy and make your uterus
expel the pregnancy tissue (like
an early miscarriage).
8 weeks of pregnancy or less: it
works about 94-98% of the time.

8-9 weeks: it works about 94-

96% of the time.

9-10 weeks: it works about 91-

93% of the time. If you're given
an extra dose of medicine, it
works about 99% of the time.

10-11 weeks: it works about 87%

of the time. If you're given an
extra dose of medicine, it works
about 98% of the time.
How long does the abortion take?
The procedure usually takes Your appointment at the health
about 10 minutes, but the full center will take a few hours, and
visit usually takes a few hours. In then they’ll give you the pills.
some cases, state law requires You take 2 different medicines,
you to come to the health center up to 2 days apart. You may take
for a separate visit before the both of the medicines at home.
abortion. Abortions later in Or you may take one or both of
pregnancy may take longer and them at the health center. Most of
require more visits to the health the time the abortion is over
center. within 24 hours after you take the
second set of pills. You’ll have a
follow up visit or phone call to
 make sure the pills worked. In
some cases, state law requires
you to come to the health center
for a separate visit before the
abortion.

If you need an abortion and have passed your first trimester, you can
learn about your in-clinic abortion options.