How long after getting pregnant can you get an abortion

How far along can you be to get an abortion?

By Attia @ Planned Parenthood | July 1, 2020, 3:55 p.m.

Category: Abortion

Updated November 3, 2022

In June 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. This means that states can now ban abortion. Some states have banned abortion or created lots of restrictions. But abortion is NOT banned nationwide. Abortion is still legal in many states, and it's legal to go to a different state to get an abortion.

Laws about abortion continue to change. You can find more information about laws in your state and how to get an abortion from your nearest Planned Parenthood health center or AbortionFinder.org.

How late you can get an abortion depends on the laws in your state and which abortion provider you go to. But in general:

You can use abortion pills (also called medication abortion) up to 77 days (11 weeks) after the first day of your last period.
You can get an in-clinic abortion until 24 weeks (or later in some cases, for medical reasons). But most most abortions happen early in pregnancy, and it can be hard in some places to find an abortion provider who can do an in-clinic abortion after around 12 weeks into pregnancy.

There may be things that can delay your abortion, too. If you’re under 18 and live in a state with parental notification laws and need a judicial bypass, it can take a while to get through the process. If you live in a state where abortion is illegal, you may have to go to another state to get an abortion and it can take time to arrange travel. And because some states have banned abortion, there may be longer wait times for an appointment in the states where abortion is still legal.

So if you're pregnant and need an abortion, it's important to take action right away. You can contact your nearest Planned Parenthood Health Center or visit AbortionFinder.org to find an abortion provider and get information about the laws in your state and all of your options. They can also connect you with resources that may be able to help you arrange and pay for transportation, lodging, childcare, and other costs if you have to travel to get an abortion.

When you're looking for a place to get an abortion, beware of “crisis pregnancy centers." These are places that say they offer abortion or other pregnancy services, but they’re actually run by people who want to scare or pressure people out of getting an abortion. They don’t provide abortion or give you honest information about your pregnancy options. And most crisis pregnancy centers aren’t legitimate medical clinics, so they don’t have to follow HIPAA and keep your information private, like most real health care providers do. Planned Parenthood or AbortionFinder.org can help you find a trustworthy health care provider

Tags: Abortion

The Abortion Pill | Get the Facts About Medication Abortion

In This Section

The Abortion Pill
How does the abortion pill work?
What can I expect after I take the abortion pill?
How do I use the abortion pill?

How safe is the abortion pill?
How do I get the abortion pill?
How much does the abortion pill cost?

The Abortion Pill | Planned Parenthood Video

What is the abortion pill?

Medication abortion — also called the abortion pill — is a safe and effective way to end an early pregnancy.

How does the abortion pill work?

“Abortion pill” is the common name for using two different medicines to end a pregnancy: mifepristone and misoprostol.

First, you take a pill called mifepristone. Pregnancy needs a hormone called progesterone to grow normally. Mifepristone blocks your body’s own progesterone, stopping the pregnancy from growing.

Then you take the second medicine, misoprostol, either right away or up to 48 hours later. This medicine causes cramping and bleeding to empty your uterus. It’s kind of like having a really heavy, crampy period, and the process is very similar to an early miscarriage. If you don’t have any bleeding within 24 hours after taking the second medicine, call your nurse or doctor.

Your doctor or nurse will give you both medicines at the health center. When and where you’ll take them depends on state laws and your health center's policies. Your doctor or nurse will give you detailed directions about where, when, and how to take the medicines. You may also get some antibiotics to prevent infection.

How effective is the abortion pill?

The abortion pill is very effective. The effectiveness depends on how far along you are in your pregnancy when you take the medicine.

For people who are 8 weeks pregnant or less, it works about 94-98 out of 100 times.
For people who are 8-9 weeks pregnant, it works about 94-96 out of 100 times.
For people who are 9-10 weeks pregnant, it works about 91-93 out of 100 times. If you're given an extra dose of medicine, it works about 99 out of 100 times.
For people who are 10-11 weeks pregnant, it works about 87 out of 100 times. If you're given an extra dose of medicine, it works about 98 out of 100 times.

The abortion pill usually works, but if it doesn’t, you can take more medicine or have an in-clinic abortion to complete the abortion.

When can I take the abortion pill?

Depending on where you live, you may be able to get a medication abortion up to 77 days (11 weeks) after the first day of your last period. If it has been 78 days or more since the first day of your last period, you can have an in-clinic abortion to end your pregnancy.

Why do people choose the abortion pill?

Which kind of abortion you choose all depends on your personal preference and situation. With medication abortion, some people like that you don’t need to have a procedure in a doctor’s office. You can have your medication abortion at home or in another comfortable place that you choose. You get to decide who you want to be with during your abortion, or you can go it alone. Because medication abortion is similar to a miscarriage, many people feel like it’s more “natural” and less invasive.

Your doctor, nurse, or health center staff can help you decide which kind of abortion is best for you.

Terms of termination of pregnancy (abortion)

Contents

How long can you terminate a pregnancy (abortion)

Termination of pregnancy - removal of the fetal egg from the uterine membranes using various methods. If earlier abortion was performed only with the help of surgical intervention, today women have access to a medical and vacuum method. These are safer methods of abortion, but they can only be used for certain periods. nine0003

Terms of termination of pregnancy:

— medical termination of pregnancy in the Russian Federation can be done up to the 6th beginning of the 7th week of pregnancy or 42nd delay of menstruation;

- vacuum abortion can be done from 2-3 weeks to 12 weeks of pregnancy.

- more than 12 weeks can be done for medical reasons with a surgical method.

Legislative framework for the timing of abortions

Legally, termination of pregnancy is allowed up to 12 weeks of pregnancy at the request of the woman, and if the period is higher, then for medical reasons at any time, if there is a threat to the life of the fetus-mother or defects incompatible with life. On the basis of Order 572 and Federal Law 323, an algorithm and requirements for performing artificial termination of pregnancy were approved. For medical abortion in the Russian Federation, drugs are registered that are not sold in pharmacies, but are supplied to medical institutions that have the appropriate license to provide this type of service. Abortion pills are used strictly according to the instructions for drugs according to the approved scheme and are prescribed only by a gynecologist. nine0003

Is it possible to have an abortion on the same day?

This question is often asked by women when making an appointment with a gynecologist at a medical institution. Let's take a closer look. Returning to the law on artificial termination of pregnancy, which states that during the initial visit to a medical institution, an ultrasound is done to determine the gestational age. If the period is 4-7 weeks, the silence time is 48 hours, i.e. time to make a final decision and reapply the woman for the interruption service. At this time, the woman is sent for a consultation with a psychologist, or a gynecologist can conduct the same conversation. For a period of 8-10 weeks - the time for reflection is at least 7 days, for a period of 11-12 weeks - at least 48 hours. nine0003

Safe terms

Abortion is a complex surgical intervention that can have a lot of consequences for women's health. Often, termination of pregnancy leads to infertility. In order for an abortion to take place with minimal risks, one should carefully approach the choice of a medical institution and a doctor. In our Clinic "Narvskaya" there are doctors with extensive experience who individually solve the problem of each patient. Specialists help to choose the best way to terminate a pregnancy, focusing on the term, health status, anamnesis, the presence of children, etc. All manipulations are carried out at the modern level in absolutely sterile conditions. And if this is still an unwanted pregnancy, it is necessary to resort to the method of interruption as soon as possible, due to the fact that the longer the period, the greater the number of complications can be. But the best solution would be to keep the pregnancy. But this is decided only by the woman herself and no one has the right to condemn her for this. After termination of pregnancy, the doctor prescribes rehabilitation courses for reproductive and menstrual functions. Following the doctor's recommendations will help maintain the health of the reproductive system and take care of future childbearing. Also, the specialist is ready to advise on modern methods of contraception that are right for you. nine0003

Terms for medical abortion

Medical abortion is done up to 42 weeks of delayed menstruation or 6 to 7 weeks. In the instructions for medicinal products that are used for this service, the above period is indicated everywhere. Although in many countries the tablet method can take up to 63 days of delay. In the Russian Federation, so far the method is carried out only according to the instructions for the preparations.

Until how many weeks is vacuum aspiration done?

Vacuum aspiration is performed up to 12 weeks of gestation and is an alternative to surgical abortion. It is carried out in the conditions of day hospitals of medical centers, clinics. In the presence of a burdened history (a scar on the uterus, large uterine fibroids, the presence of anomalies in the development of the genital organs, severe allergic reactions), vacuum aspiration is carried out in a hospital. nine0003

Surgical abortion

Due to its trauma and a large number of complications, it is used less and less. With this method, the effect of general anesthesia and mechanical impact on the walls of the uterus, negatively affect the female body. The recovery period is also longer than with other methods of interruption. The earlier a woman has an abortion, the less traumatic the procedure will be for her health.

Early termination of pregnancy

Within 49days from the beginning of the last months, you can get rid of an unwanted pregnancy by medication. The drugs are taken in two stages and under the supervision of a physician. Then there is a natural rejection of the fetus, as in a normal miscarriage. After a pill abortion, it is imperative to do a control ultrasound. If the fetus is not fully released, additional intervention will be required.

The medical method of abortion today is one of the safest for women's health. It is especially recommended for young girls who are planning a healthy childbearing in the future. nine0003

All pharmaceuticals should only be taken as directed by a doctor! Medical termination of pregnancy, like a conventional abortion, requires special preparation and stay under the supervision of a specialist for several weeks after the procedure.

In the early stages up to 5 weeks, the vacuum aspiration method is performed, in which the fetus is removed from the uterus using a vacuum, without the use of surgical instruments. The duration of the procedure is up to 10 minutes. A mini-abortion is performed under local anesthesia. After a few hours, the woman can leave the medical facility. nine0003

Often young girls who want to get rid of an unwanted pregnancy are afraid to go to the doctor and look on the Internet for ways to provoke a miscarriage using folk methods. We do not recommend doing this under any circumstances. There is a great risk to health and even life. It is better to spend time looking for a qualified specialist in private clinics and make an abortion on confidential terms.

Vacuum method up to 12 weeks

A woman can voluntarily terminate a pregnancy up to 12 weeks. At a later date - only if there are serious indications. At a period of 6-12 weeks, when it is too late to use medications and a vacuum, a classic abortion is done. The fetus is scraped out of the body of the uterus using surgical instruments. Most often, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia or sedation (if such a method is practiced in a medical institution). nine0003

Late-term abortions

From 12 to 22 weeks, abortion is indicated only for serious medical and social reasons. Medical indications are diseases in a woman that are of great harm both to her and to the health of the fetus. An abortion can also be indicated if the pregnant woman has a pathology that may interfere with the full care and upbringing of the child.

Indications for late abortion:

Progressive diabetes mellitus. nine0064
Tuberculosis.
Severe heart defects.
Oncology requiring chemotherapy.
Active phase of Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome.
Severe mental disorders.
Neurodegenerative diseases.
Pathologies of the kidneys and liver, accompanied by serious disorders in the functioning of the organs.
Autoimmune diseases in the acute stage.

Medical indications for termination of pregnancy on the part of the fetus - chromosomal disorders and pathologies incompatible with life. Since 2012, in the Russian Federation, there is only one social reason why you can have an abortion at a later date - the conception of a child occurred as a result of rape. nine0003

For an abortion for more than 12 weeks, the conclusion of a medical commission is required, which includes: the head physician of the medical institution; a gynecologist observing a woman; narrow specialists who have identified a disease that prevents a healthy pregnancy.

Termination of a late pregnancy is a complex and responsible procedure, which is best performed in medical facilities with an intensive care unit. An abortion is performed in two ways - with the help of drugs that stimulate contractions and the natural exit of the fetus from the uterus; removal of the fetus through an incision in the abdomen (small caesarean section). nine0003

After 22 weeks of gestation, any termination for indications is carried out only by delivery. This procedure is no longer called abortion, but premature birth.

Medical termination of pregnancy in the early stages in Nizhny Novgorod at the Tonus clinic, medical abortion, mini abortion

Termination of pregnancy is an important step in the life of a woman who is going to do this. It is important to think carefully about everything, and also, to choose a clinic where you would like to have an abortion. After you have made up your mind, the question arises, where to have an abortion? Not all clinics are licensed to perform abortions, so if you want to do abortion, clinic , in which this will be performed must have the appropriate permission.

In our country, at her own request, a woman can have an abortion for up to 12 weeks. There are also various indications for termination of pregnancy. Abortion for social reasons a woman can do up to 22 weeks, for medical reasons - at any stage of pregnancy.

Abortion in this case is performed after determining the indications for it by a gynecologist and related specialists. The reason for termination of pregnancy for medical reasons can be both a serious pathology on the part of the woman and on the part of the fetus. Only a competent and experienced gynecologist will help you decide on the choice of the method of abortion - medical, mini-abortion or surgical. nine0003

The best is early termination of pregnancy . Early termination of pregnancy reduces the risk of complications in the future and can be carried out without the use of invasive techniques.

Early termination of pregnancy. Medical abortion

Medical abortion is one of the safest methods and an excellent alternative to surgical abortion. Medical abortion is performed up to 6 weeks of pregnancy. When holding medical termination of pregnancy in the early stages, drugs are used that, according to their mechanism of action, inhibit the synthesis of progesterone.

Medical abortion is performed only under the strict supervision of a gynecologist. After medical termination of pregnancy, an ultrasound scan is required to examine the uterine cavity.

Early termination of pregnancy using medical abortion method does not impair the woman's reproductive function. According to many studies, after medical termination of pregnancy, ovulation is restored in the shortest possible time. An additional positive quality of medical abortion is the possibility of its implementation directly on the day of treatment. nine0003

Early termination of pregnancy - mini-abortion

Mini-abortion as a method of early termination of pregnancy can be performed from 6 to 12 weeks. The main technique for mini-abortion is vacuum aspiration. The fertilized egg is removed from the uterine cavity using a special electric suction. This option for early termination of pregnancy is more gentle than the standard options for surgical abortion.

We must not forget that the sooner have an abortion , the lower the risk of complications.

The procedure takes about 5 minutes and the woman can go home within a few hours after the procedure. The uterine mucosa, unlike curettage, is slightly injured. A contraindication to abortion in this way is the presence of infection in the acute period. After the mini-abortion, a control ultrasound examination of the uterine cavity is performed.

Where to have an abortion? nine0005

Many women (especially young women), in order not to advertise their pregnancy, start looking for options, where to have an abortion . It must be remembered that it is most correct to have an abortion in a clinic, under the supervision of specialists, and not with the help of folk remedies.

An abortion made outside the walls of a medical institution that has the right to perform this manipulation is called criminal. A self-performed abortion by untested means can lead to serious consequences. In this case, a woman risks not only the possibility of having children in the future, but also her health. nine0003

Medical abortion

Termination of pregnancy by indications or at the request of a woman for a period of 6 to 12 weeks can be performed by curettage of the uterine cavity. This procedure is a surgical procedure and requires preparation. As with any other operation, all the necessary tests are given. Termination of pregnancy is carried out on an empty stomach, as the woman is given anesthesia.

In the postoperative period during the month you need to refrain from sexual intercourse, do not go to the sauna, bath, bathing in water, it is not recommended to take a bath. All these measures are aimed at preventing infection. nine0003

It is also not advisable to overcool, be subjected to excessive stress and physical exertion for a while. It is necessary to give the body a rest, so that in the future there will be no problems with conception.

After the abortion, it is necessary to visit a gynecologist. During the appointment, the doctor will conduct a comprehensive examination with obligatory ultrasound control, as well as select the optimal method of contraception, which will help to avoid unwanted pregnancies in the future, and therefore new abortions. A large number of abortions brings with it a large number of complications that can affect the reproductive potential of a woman. nine0003

Psychological support for a woman is also important, both before and after an abortion. The doctor in this case should be not only a competent specialist, but also a sensitive psychologist who can encourage the patient.

A great role is given to conversations with a woman, since she must understand that the doctor is on her side and in no case condemns the perfect act.