How to Share Accurate Abortion Information at Your University
Abortion is a human right.
Accurate abortion information is critical and, unfortunately, often hard to find because of the stigma attached to abortion. This stigma, reinforced by restrictions on care and nonsensical laws, creates fear and judgment which can make people reluctant to seek out or share information about abortion. That fear and judgment can push people to avoid talking to their doctor or loved ones which just leads to more misinformation and isolation. And fake clinics capitalize on that fear and uncertainty by luring people in with free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and “options” counseling to deter or coerce them into parenting or adoption. What’s even more infuriating is how state governments frequently spend millions of dollars on these fake clinics to discourage abortion without actually supporting the families they claim to care about. Adding fuel to the dumpster fire, fake clinics spend a large chunk of that state funding on Google ads so they appear at the top of search results, making it even harder for abortion seekers to find accurate and reliable information.
But, we reject that shame and stigma! The reality is 1 in 3 people who can get pregnant will have an abortion. Join us in screaming from the rooftops that:
- Abortions are common!
- Abortions are normal!
- People have multiple abortions!
- Any reason to have an abortion is a good reason!
- Abortion is safe!
- Abortion is healthcare!
Promoting trustworthy resources like I Need An A, which was created by people who had abortions for people needing abortions, is crucial in combating the spread of lies and shame. Use this resource to spread love and support to people on your campus and in your community!
About I Need An A
I Need An A is the most comprehensive and updated resource for abortion seekers in the U.S. Started in 2016 by people who’ve had abortions. It provides personalized options based on location and how long the person has been pregnant. I Need An A is the only resource that shows people in restricted states their travel and pills by mail options side by side. To date, the website has served more than 1 million unique users!
How to Share I Need An A
On your social media
You can follow and repost our accounts on
Twitter // Instagram // Facebook // LinkedIn // TikTok
You can find all of our graphics to share here.
On your sorority or student group website
Include links on your sorority or student group’s website to ineedana.com!
With posters
Download our printable poster with a QR code directly to ineedana.com.
Some places to hang them:
- Dorm room
- Dorm hallway or common areas
- Your universities health center
- Cafeteria
- Library
- Bulletin boards in building hallways
- Student center
With stickers
Fill out this request form and we will mail you stickers!
Host an event to talk about and fundraise for abortion
Fundraising for ineedana and your local fund!
If you do this! Let us know at team@ineedana.com - we’d love to send you swag and even attend if possible.
Need to Know: Abortion and Surveillance
A note from our friends at Euki.
In places hostile to abortion rights, digital or in-person surveillance can be used to criminalize or harass people seeking abortion care. In some places, it can even be used to criminalize people who help others seeking abortion care.
Check state abortion laws | Get legal support
Sharing information about abortion is important - so don’t panic! We can help keep each other safe - online and offline- by choosing what information is shared, how, with whom.
Here are four easy privacy-protecting habits to find and share abortion-related information online (plus free tools we trust):
- Connecting to the internet: Download and use no-log VPNs to access the internet on any device (ProtonVPN or Tunnelbear)
- Searching for information: Use privacy-respecting browsers, tools, and websites that don’t store user activity (browsers: Brave, Firefox ,Tor; tool: Euki; website: ineedana)
- Sharing information: Choose end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) tools with features like password protection and automatic data deletion/expiration when sharing information or collaborating (documents: CryptPad, email: ProtonMail, messaging: Signal)
- Tracking health information: Choose tools that do not collect user health data (Drip, Euki)
And, remember: privacy and bodily autonomy are human rights - for all of us.
Learn more about Euki’s work to protect both, or download the app (iOS | Android).
For more information on digital privacy check out https://www.ineedana.com/privacy.
Abortion Ballot Data Tracker
Explore I Need An A + share specific articles
Explore I Need An A + share specific articles
Description
:For a personalized search based on closest abortion options:
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:Find abortion funds and practical support organizations:
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:Up to date legal status of abortion in all 50 states:
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Description
:Helps teens understand all of their abortion options:
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Description
:These clinics can offer care for people in highly restricted states before or after getting an abortion elsewhere. Every provider on this list is either a former abortion provider or has been referred by an abortion provider.
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Description
:Blog: Abortion Travel Checklist
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Description
:Blog: Deciding to travel for an abortion
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Get connected to other campus organizers + campaigns
Our friends at Advocates for Youth https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/issue/abortion-access/
Texas Universities
https://deedsnotwords.com/our-impact/student-chapters/
Volunteer with I Need An A
Apply to volunteer with us virtually tinyurl.com/inaavolunteer
Questions + Feedback
Email us at team@ineedana.com
How to Calculate How Many Weeks Pregnant You Are
Tl;dr
Pregnancy is calculated based on the first day of your last period. You can have just become pregnant and be considered 2+ weeks pregnant. It’s pretty weird actually so let’s dive in to explain this better!
Using the date of the first day of your last period (also referred to as LMP), you can calculate the number of weeks you are pregnant. Just count the weeks from your LMP to today.
You might not know when this date was exactly, and that’s okay! You don’t always need to know exactly how many weeks pregnant you are in order to get an abortion.
When does being certain of the number of weeks matter for an abortion?
- If you’re trying to decide between pills or an in-clinic procedure. Clinics will only offer pills to folks 10 - 12 weeks pregnant or less.
- When you’re potentially close to a cut off for services (like 12, 15 or 22 weeks), either because of the provider or state laws (when you enter the first day of your last period our practicality sort will automatically filter out clinics you aren’t eligible for based on your estimated gestational duration).
- If you’re going to travel a long distance to get an abortion - we hear stories regularly of folks flying across the country and then being too pregnant to get an abortion at the clinic they traveled to.
So, how do I calculate how long I've been pregnant?
Sometimes it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly how many weeks pregnant you are but, there are two ways to figure it out:
The most common and typically easiest to track is from the last menstrual period (LMP).
The first day of the LMP is considered day 1 of the pregnancy. We say “easiest” to track because a lot of people have regular periods or track their cycles. However, not everyone has a 28-day cycle, cycles can vary in length and not everyone tracks their period!
So, in other words, pinpointing the exact day of conception can be challenging, which is why the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) is used as a standard reference for dating pregnancy.
An ultrasound is the most accurate form of pregnancy dating.
And the longer you’ve been pregnant, the more helpful an ultrasound may be. Sometimes, the ultrasound and the LMP dating can be completely different. This happens because pregnancy development happens at different paces for everyone. The most accurate time to determine the length of pregnancy with an ultrasound is in the first trimester when the pregnancy is small. The larger the fetus, the harder it can be to get an exact date because of different growth rates.
Still with us? There’s one more thing to explain: pregnancy dating starts from your last menstrual period but conception happens 2 weeks later (again, this is another arbitrary average). So the doctor may tell you are 12 weeks pregnant but you had sex 10 weeks ago. That means your pregnancy is 100% textbook - conceived 10 weeks ago and 12 weeks pregnant are the same thing. The first day of your last period was “medically” when the pregnancy began but conception happened 2 weeks later to account for the time before ovulation and conception.
So, to recap...
The ultrasound is the most accurate form of pregnancy dating, but if you can’t get one, you’ll have a good estimate by going from the first day of your last period. And if you aren’t sure when that was, try to remember when you had sex that could have resulted in a pregnancy and add 2 weeks!
Why is this so weird?!?!
So many reasons but mainly because everyone’s body is different, menstrual cycles can be irregular and the window of fertilization varies. Basically, dating isn’t an exact science and a lot of it is arbitrary.
Let’s go back to how doctors currently measure the length of pregnancy. This method, known as "Naegele's Rule," was introduced by German obstetrician Franz Naegele (1778 to 1851). Thanks to Naegele, an "average" pregnancy lasts 40 weeks or 280 days. To estimate the due date, Naegele's Rule adds 280 days to the first day of the person's last menstrual period (LMP). Human pregnancies vary a lot, and factors like the pregnant person’s age, genetics, nutrition, and length of the menstrual cycle can impact the actual length of being pregnant. Unfortunately, Naegele’s Rule doesn’t account for any of these unique factors.
To determine the gestational duration, medical professionals take averages of measurements, like the size of the fetus and development stages, based on the assumed 40-week timeline. These measurements help determine the estimated duration of gestation, but they still rely on the assumption of a standardized 40-week pregnancy, which doesn’t accurately reflect the factors that can affect pregnancy development.
And to really blow your mind, the concept of trimesters are also made up — basically, it was more convenient for doctors to divide the 40 weeks by 3. But there is hope that as science and technology advances researchers and doctors can find other ways to differentiate the stages of pregnancy to accurately reflect these variations in development.
Naegle’s Rule and these arbitrary measurements for development not only shape medical practices but are also used against abortion seekers in legislation and abortion restrictions. Why is there a 6 week ban abortion? Or a 15 week ban on abortion? Like the idea of trimesters, it’s all made up.
What’s more, these restrictions ignore the complexities and individual circumstances of pregnancies, which forces pregnant people to carry pregnancies to term against their will or before they even realize they are pregnant. The enforcement of such bans ignores the expertise of medical professionals and undermines the doctor-patient relationship, replacing it with political agendas.
The reality is that gestational limitations on abortion harm pregnant people.
You can help protect abortion on the federal level by going to Abortion Justice Now.
Have questions? Contact the M+A Hotline at (833) 246-2632 to speak to a physician.
How to get a free abortion in New York
How to get a free abortion in New York
Abortion is legal in New York, and over the years, the state has made significant strides to make it increasingly accessible to its most marginalized residents, as well as to the growing number of people traveling here for care. However, much work remains for New York to fully live up to its claim of being an access state and abortion safe haven. This article does not intend to minimize the persistent barriers—financial, logistical, and cultural—that many still face when trying to access care in New York. Instead, its purpose is to highlight the resources that exist to navigate those barriers and to ensure people are informed about them, so they can access the care they need and deserve.
Private + Public Insurance
New York requires that both state regulated public and private health insurance cover abortion care without a deductible or copay. So, if you live in the state of New York and your insurance is regulated by New York state, it’s most likely your insurance is required to pay for your abortion.
However, if you have insurance through your employer or a family member but the insurance is regulated from another state, the insurance may not cover abortion services. If you’re unsure, call your insurance company and ask about coverage for abortion services.
Unfortunately, if you have health insurance through the federal government abortion will not be covered. This includes federal employees and their dependents, Peace Corps volunteers, Native Americans, and people in federal prisons and detention centers including those detained for immigration purposes. It’s always best to call and confirm with your insurance provider as to what’s covered under your plan.
It’s important to add that not all clinics accept every type of insurance. When you make the appointment, ask the clinic if they accept your specific insurance and if they don’t, consider finding another clinic. Use Ineedana.com/search to find other nearby clinics.
If your insurance doesn’t cover abortion or if the clinic doesn’t accept your insurance and you aren’t able to go to another clinic, call the New York Abortion Access Fund at (212) 252-4757 or email them at intake@nyaaf.org.
Medicaid in New York
Medicaid in New York covers the full cost of abortion care.
If you do not have insurance and you are a New York State resident, you may qualify for Medicaid. You can be eligible for Medicaid regardless of citizenship or immigration status, people who are undocumented can still qualify for Medicaid.
Visit https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/ or call 1-855-355-5777 to get enrolled.
The enrollment process will take between 30 to 60 minutes, and if you are approved, you will be able to use your Medicaid to cover the entire cost of an abortion within 48 hours of signing up. Some clinics can enroll you in medicaid the day of your appointment so you don’t have to pay. If you think you’re medicaid eligible, ask the clinic!
Eligibility for NY Medicaid is based on your household size and income level. As a pregnant person, medicaid counts an additional person in your household. So for example, if you have 3 people in your household (you, a partner and a child) you can add one more to your household with the pregnancy.
https://www.nyc.gov/assets/ochia/downloads/pdf/all_populations_medicaid.pdf
*”Pregnant women” is the language used by the state of New York and we know not all pregnant people identify as women.
Some clinics may not accept all types of Medicaid or have Medicaid cover abortion services after certain gestations, so be sure to ask the clinic. If the clinic does not accept Medicaid consider finding another clinic.
If you're having problems finding a clinic that takes Medicaid, call the New York Abortion Access Fund (NYAAF) at (212) 252-4757. They can help you explore all of your options and resources, and provide financial assistance if the clinic doesn't accept Medicaid and you can't go to another clinic.
Medication Abortion in New York City
If you are seeking a medication abortion in New York City and are under 10 weeks pregnant, NYC Sexual Health Clinics are a great option. Free or low-cost medication abortions (abortion pills) are available at three of the NYC Sexual Health Clinic sites. You do not need to be a New York state resident to receive care, so even people traveling from out of state or country can get free medication abortions. There are also no age requirements either!
Call 347-396-7959 for clinic appointments. Walk-ins are also accepted until 2 p.m.
Note: The clinic may close early once capacity is reached.
Name of Clinic
:Central Harlem Sexual Health Clinic
Address
:2238 Fifth Avenue, First Floor, Manhattan
Hours of Operation
:Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Name of Clinic
:Jamaica Sexual Health Clinic
Address
:90-37 Parsons Blvd, First Floor, Queens
Hours of Operation
:Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Name of Clinic
:Morrisania Sexual Health Clinic
Address
:1309 Fulton Avenue, Second Floor, Bronx
Hours of Operation
:Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Minors
New York does not require parental consent or notification. Which means you can consent to abortion on your own! This is a great option for teens traveling from restricted states.
If you are a minor, a New York resident, and have health insurance through your parent or guardian but prefer to keep your abortion private, you can apply for Medicaid. Even if you already have insurance under your parent's plan, you are eligible to apply for Children’s Medicaid.
If you’re using your parent’s insurance, the insurance company may send information about the care you received (bills and lab results). And if you’re using Medicaid and don’t want to list your parents address, consider an alternative address.
Medication Abortion by Telehealth
If you plan to have the medication abortion, you can receive the pills by mail from various independent telehealth providers. On average, getting a medication abortion through a telehealth provider costs much less than getting an abortion in a clinic.
The New York Abortion Access Fund partners with Juniper Midwifery and Pills By Post. to offer sliding scale and free services. They will ship the pills within a few days to anywhere in New York state. Reach out to Juniper Midwifery or Pills by Post directly for financial assistance.
The hospital system of New York City also has a telehealth option. Visit Virtual ExpressCare to call 718-360-8981. Support is available in over 200 languages. You must be physically in New York to receive the pills by mail and at least 15 years old.
For more medication abortion options by mail visit https://www.plancpills.org/abortion-pill/new-york .
Additional support
The New York Abortion Access Fund (NYAAF) supports anyone who is unable to pay fully for an abortion and is living in or traveling to New York State by providing financial assistance and connections to other resources.
If you are living in or traveling to New York State and are seeking funding for your abortion, please call (212) 252-4757 and leave a detailed message. You can also email NYAAF at intake@nyaaf.org .
This article was developed in partnership with the New York Abortion Access Fund. The I Need An A Team also received feedback from other New York state based organizations to create this article. If you know of a provider that should be added to this list or have feedback suggestions for this article, please email team@ineedana.com.
Abortion is on the Ballot
Where is abortion on the ballot this year?
As expert trackers of all things abortion related, we're closely monitoring the approved and pending abortion related ballot measures across the United States.
We'll continue to update this tool as changes occur. Want to put this info on your site? We're building this so you can easily copy and paste this map anywhere *and* have it automatically update when things change.
Here's the code snippet:
<iframe id="inaa-embed" src="https://ineedana.com/embed/ballot-measures-map" title="2024 Abortion Ballot Measures" width="100%" height="1500px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" onLoad="(function () { window.addEventListener('message', function (event) { if ( !event || !event.origin || !event.origin.startsWith('https://ineedana.com') || !event.data || typeof event.data.frameHeight !== 'number' ) { return } const iframeHeight = event.data.frameHeight const modifiedHeight = iframeHeight + 40 this.height = modifiedHeight }) })()"></iframe>
Have questions about how to embed on your site? Find a bug? Let us know at team@ineedana.com!
Release Notes #4
How to decide what kind of abortion is right for you?
This is a question we hear from people who need abortions quite a bit! No matter what state you're in, you have options and it can sometimes be a lot to compare them.
To help, we've updated our Abortion Types page! There's more information on the difference between in-clinic procedures and abortion pills. We also break down the differences between getting pills from a physical clinic or via the mail.
Do you have feedback on this article or suggestions for new content we should create? Give us a ping at team@ineedana.com 💜
What do abortion pills cost online?
What's the price for abortion pills by mail?
The average cost for abortion pills online is $150, but many providers offer sliding scale pricing for people who can't afford it. Abuzz and Aid Access, for example, offer a sliding scale that starts at $150, but can go as low as $0.
If you're in a state where abortion has been restricted or banned, community networks like Las Libres and AccessMA mail abortion pills (sometimes called Plan C) for free, though these services may come with legal risk.
In states where abortion pills by mail are permitted, Abortion Freedom Fund offers financial assistance.
If you have private insurance, it's possible it may cover a medication abortion via a provider like Hey Jane.
You deserve to get the best abortion for you, be that by mail or in a clinic. Whatever type of abortion is right for you, there are people ready to help. You can find them and all of your options using I Need An A's search 💜
A Teen’s Guide to Accessing Abortion
Abortion is safe, normal, and any reason to have one is a good reason. Unfortunately, accessing abortion care can be challenging especially for young people. But you're not alone - we can give you an overview of everything so you can make the best decision for yourself and can connect you with trusted organizations that can help.
Let’s start with parental involvement laws, what are they?
There are currently states that require parental notification or consent when a minor is seeking an abortion -- these are called parental involvement laws. In most states, a legal minor is someone who is under 18 years old. The requirements for parental involvement laws depend on your state and the clinic. In some states it means the clinic would have to notify your parent or legal guardian. In others, it means your parent or legal guardian must be with you at the clinic to sign consent forms. If you can’t find the information at Ineedana.com, calling the local abortion clinic is a great resource or contact the Repro Legal Helpline by calling 1-844-868-2812.
I can’t tell my parents I’m getting an abortion - what do I do?
In states that have parental involvement laws, there is an exception for involving your parents or legal guardian which is called a judicial bypass.
A judicial bypass is obtaining legal permission for a doctor to perform an abortion without notifying the parents or guardian of a minor. Obtaining legal permission means the teen will have to go in front of a judge to prove one of two things:
(1) they are mature enough to make this decision on their own or
(2) it’s in the best interest of the minor to have an abortion without involving their parents.
The type of questions a judge can ask vary, some judges are sympathetic and others may not be. We know this is unfair and can sound intimidating but there are local abortion funds, organizations and clinics that can specialize in helping teens through this process, even sometimes including providing you with a free attorney, so you feel prepared and supported!
If you're getting an abortion in one of these states:
If you’re getting an abortion in one of these states, these organizations can help:
State
:Colorado
How to Contact
:Call (866) 277-2771 or text CARE to 57890
State
:Massachusetts
How to Contact
:Call (617) 616-1636
State
:North Carolina + South Carolina
Organization
:How to Contact
:Call (844) 868-2812
State
:Utah
Organization
:How to Contact
:Call or text (385) 202-3811
If you live in one of these states, these organizations can help:
If you live in one of these states, these organizations can help:
State
:Indiana
Organization
:How to Contact
:Call or text (317) 476-6917
Not every state with parental involvement laws has an organization to help with the judicial bypass process. If you don’t see your state or your destination state in the above table, you can call the Repro Legal Helpline at 844-868-2812 for help.
There are also two other options to consider on where to have an abortion:
- Having medication abortion pills sent to your home (or to a trusted friend/family member) and having an abortion at home.
- Traveling to a state that does not have parental involvement laws, so you can consent to your own abortion without your parents or a judges’ permission.
Places that don’t have parental involvement laws: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Washington D.C.
If you are 16 years old or older, you do not need to involve your parents in Delaware, Massachusetts, and Montana. If you are 17 years old or older, you do not need parental consent in South Carolina.
Maryland has a parental notification law but can be waived by a doctor. Talk to the clinic for more details.
But I live in a state where abortion is banned…
The June 2022 ruling by SCOTUS on the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization eliminated the constitutional right to abortion and allowed states to decide if abortion would be legal. As a result, 15 states have completely banned abortion and others have severely restricted it, oftentimes making abortion care inaccessible. But, the U.S. Attorney General affirmed the right for people to travel out of state to access abortion care, including minors.
If you're under 18 in a state with abortion bans, you can travel to a state where it's legal. When choosing, factors like distance, costs, school time, childcare, etc., matter, but for teens, knowing if the destination state has parental involvement laws is crucial.
If you enter your age on ineedana.com, our “practicality sort” can take those parental involvement laws in account and better recommend the easiest places to go.
If your destination state requires parental involvement and your parent/guardian cannot be notified or consent, you'll need a judicial bypass from the state where you get the abortion. This might lengthen your trip. If that's not feasible or if the destination state does not allow non-state residents to get a judicial bypass (like Ohio), consider traveling to a state without parental involvement laws or arranging to have abortion pills mailed to you.
I’m confused, can you break down the options for me?
We know this is confusing! Anti-abortion politicians pass these laws and restrictions to make abortion inaccessible but this will give you a better idea of your options and connect you to organizations that can help! You deserve to feel supported and affirmed in your decisions. So, what does this look like?
Let’s use Texas as an example: A 16 year old who is living in Dallas, TX wants to have an abortion. Since abortion is banned in Texas the nearest abortion clinics are in Wichita, Kansas (6 hour drive or 1.5 hour flight) or Albuquerque, New Mexico (9.5 hour drive or 2 hour flight).
- Option 1: Kansas
Kansas is a lot closer but requires the young person to have both of their parents consent. If the parents cannot or will not travel to Kansas, a judicial bypass is required. The young person must meet with a judge in Kansas prior to the abortion to get permission. Typically, the clinic can help you with the judicial bypass process. Additionally, the clinic has a counseling requirement for the young person, and they must be accompanied by someone who is over 21 years old. - Option 2: New Mexico
New Mexico is further however, there are no parental involvement laws which means the young person can travel to New Mexico without their parents or guardian and consent to the abortion themselves. - Option 3: Pills by Mail
If traveling is not an option, medication abortion pills can be mailed instead.
**If you are a Texas minor and need help with traveling and paying for the abortion you can call Jane’s Due Process at 866-999-5263.
I thought abortion was banned in my state, can I have pills mailed to me?
Even though some states restrict abortion pill access, there are several ways people still get abortion pills by mail -- from online clinics, websites that sell pills and community networks that mail pills. Abortion pills are medically safe, but can come with legal risk in states where abortion is banned.
Wait - what does “legal risk” mean?
It can also be helpful to remember legal risk isn’t a cut and dry thing and it is specific to each person. Just because something is illegal, doesn’t mean you’ll definitely or even probably get arrested. In fact, most bans specifically say the pregnant person can’t be charged under the law. But just because something isn’t a crime doesn’t mean you can’t be arrested and harassed by law enforcement (even in “safe” places like California). Everyone’s risk will vary depending on demographics and context. How much risk you can take is also a very personal thing and can often change over time.
If you have any questions or concerns, you can call the Repro Legal Helpline at 844-868-2812 to talk with a lawyer about your specific legal risk.
What things should I keep in mind?
This is a great question! There are so many factors in deciding when and how to have an abortion -- no one can make this choice for you because only you know what’s best and what will work. For teens, barriers to traveling can be even greater so consider the following when you do:
I live in a state where abortion is banned and I want to travel to a state where abortion is legal.
I live in a state where abortion is banned and I want pills by mail.
Deciding to Travel for an Abortion
You deserve access to quality health care, including abortion services in your community. Unfortunately, with more restrictions and fewer clinics, the number of people traveling for abortions doubled from 2020 to 2023.
Is it legal to travel to get an abortion? Should I travel for abortion care?
If you live in a state where abortion is banned or severely restricted or you’ve been pregnant longer than your state allows abortions, you have a couple options: traveling out of state to a clinic or having abortion pills delivered to your home.
Traveling for abortion services is legal - the U.S. Attorney General affirmed the right for people to travel, including minors. If traveling seems too complicated and expensive, there are organizations that may be able to help with the costs. Alternatively, abortion pills are also accessible by mail in every state (you can compare all your options at ineedana.com/search), but they can come with legal risk.
Only you can know and decide what abortion is best for you. Some people would prefer to have an in-clinic procedure because it only takes a few minutes whereas pills can take hours or days to work. For some people travel is easy, for others it’s simply not possible because of childcare or taking time off from work. If you do think travel is your best option, but you’re worried about being able to afford it, know there are dozens of support organizations that can help!
Read stories from people who traveled for their abortions.
I’ve decided to travel, what should I know?
Planning a trip for abortion care involves more than just booking travel and the appointment - it’s complicated. The prioritization of what's most important - where you're going, how you'll get there, what it'll cost, what clinic you're going to - may vary based on your circumstances. We’ve compiled a guide to help you determine whether traveling or having pills mailed to you aligns best with your life.
Know how long you’ve been pregnant
First things first, confirm you’re pregnant and determine how many weeks pregnant you are.
Enter in the first day of your last period in the calendar at ineedana.com/search.
If you aren’t sure when your last period was and want to get your pregnancy dated, you can get an ultrasound from your OB/GYN or a clinic. You do not have to disclose any plans of the abortion. If you’re in a state that has banned abortions, here are clinics we recommend in those states that can help with pregnancy confirmation and dating, including ultrasounds.
Pick a state to go to
Different states and clinics have different “gestational week” limits. If you’re traveling for care, it’s really important to be sure the clinic you’re going to can provide an abortion. If you enter your location and date of last period at ineedana.com/search, we can provide you personalized recommendations.
Certain states require mandatory waiting periods, counseling, have gestational limits on abortion and require people under the age of 18 to have consent from their parents. The “waiting period” between the consultations and abortion can vary from 24-72 hours by state and could be a consultation over the phone with the doctor or may require two appointments in person. Other states don’t have these requirements.
At ineedana.com/search, the “practicality” sort feature takes waiting periods into account and prioritizes destinations without them.
Pick a clinic
Picking a clinic when you travel can be complex! Here are some essential questions you need answers to:
- What kind of abortion do you want?
- How soon could the clinic see you?
- Is there a state mandated waiting period?
- How long do their appointments last?
- What does it cost?
You'll likely need to call the clinic to get all the information, but where possible, we have pricing and appointment availability on listings at ineedana.com/search.
If you are under 11 weeks, you usually have the option of a medication abortion or an in-clinic procedure. With either method, you’ll likely be in the clinic for several hours. If you are in the second trimester, the procedure is the only option available and may require 2 or 3 appointments.
When you call the clinic, don’t be afraid to ask the following questions and compare your options:.
- How much does the medication abortion cost?
- How much does the in-clinic procedure cost?
- Are there additional fees like the Rhogam injection or sedation?
- How many appointments are required?
- Can you have a companion in the clinic with you?
Decide how you want to get to the clinic
Reaching the clinic can introduce a fresh set of hurdles. No matter if you're traveling by plane, car, bus, or train, each mode entails its own set of factors and potential challenges. Here's a guide on how to navigate each option:
How much will traveling out of state for an abortion cost?
Travel costs can vary based on your destination, how far you have to go, how long you’ll need to stay, and mode of transportation.
To help you estimate exact costs, we’ve built a trip estimate calculator.
You’ll find this same calculator, with the exact clinic costs where available, embedded on every provider’s listing at ineedana.com/search.
Things to keep in mind while estimating your costs:
- Staying with friends or family in your destination city can significantly reduce your overall trip expenses.
- Pills by mail are usually less than $200 (sliding scale is available!)
We know this is expensive and the burden shouldn't be on you. There are organizations that can offer financial help, travel assistance, emotional support, and more. Keep in mind, you might need to have an abortion appointment already booked before some of these groups can help.
If you decide to travel out of state for abortion care check our Abortion Travel Checklist!
Other questions
Abortion Travel Checklist
So, you’ve decided to travel out of state for abortion care - use this checklist to make sure you’re prepared!
Step 1: Make an appointment at the clinic.
Find your nearest abortion clinic here (https://www.ineedana.com/search).
Step 2: Prepare a budget for the trip.
Use our trip estimate calculator.
Step 3: Look into financial and travel assistance options.
There are organizations that can offer financial help, travel assistance, emotional support, and more. Keep in mind, you might need to have an abortion appointment already booked before some of these groups can help.
Use our Advanced Search to find support organizations. You can reach out to multiple organizations so be sure to check the "eligibility" for your state, the destination state and nationally.
Step 4: Make travel plans and review transportation checklists.
Decide if you want someone to go with you.
Who you invite into this experience is completely up to you and your comfort level. If you plan to have the in-clinic abortion and receive sedation or anesthesia, the clinic may require a companion to take you home. Ask the clinic about their escort policies. If no one is able to travel with you and you want to receive sedation or anesthesia you can contact the local abortion fund in your destination state to see if companion or doula support is available.
Step 5: Pack your bag.
Release Notes #4 - Option Cards
Helping users figure out their options
If you’ve used INeedAnA.com/search recently to find abortion providers, you may have noticed a significant new feature. We’re calling them Option Cards, and we’d like to explain a little bit about how they work and why we built them
Option Cards are a new way of interacting with provider search results. They describe, in broad terms, the major options users have for accessing abortions. And they are linked to our pre-existing filters to allow users to quickly compare between providers accessible via different methods.
How Option Cards work
Let’s take an example: a user in Houston, Texas trying to find the best abortion provider for them. Their search results will be a mixture of brick-and-mortar providers in Kansas and New Mexico; flight recommendations to Denver, St. Louis and Albuquerque; and telehealth providers that can ship pills to their home. All of these are great options for different users, but each comes with significant differences in cost and experience.
Our Option Cards provide an easy way to compare these different experiences before users delve into the specifics of different providers. We provide a snapshot of cost, how much time it will take, and the legal risk of self-managing an abortion. Then we connect these cards to our pre-existing filters so that if a user knows they want to drive out of state, they can quickly filter out providers that don’t meet their needs.
We show different Option Cards to different users depending on what abortion options are available to them. A user far away from a major airport won’t see our Flights Option Cards, and users in states where abortion is less restricted will get different content on their Option Cards.
Why Option Cards matter to users
Our new Option Cards are a great example of how we think about designing tools for abortion seekers. We want to balance two competing needs. We want to provide as little friction as possible to users so that they can more quickly get to the information they need. At the same time, we don’t want to overwhelm users by blasting them with information that isn’t relevant to them. We think Option Cards are a great step toward meeting both of those needs.
Users are free to browse the unfiltered search results, and they are still only required to enter a location (that we don’t store) in order to get valuable information. But by carefully designing our content and inserting the Option Cards above the search results, we allow users to more easily find the information most relevant to them without forcing them to fill out a questionnaire or read pages of research.
So far the feedback we’ve received from users and advocates has been almost uniformly positive. But we’d love to hear your opinion. If you’ve used ineedana.com/search recently and experienced the Option Cards, please let us know what you think.