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Types of Abortion


Abortions can be done either as an in-clinic procedure or with pills (medication), depending on your preference and how far along you are in your pregnancy. All types of abortion are safe and effective but they have some key differences.

chart showing the differences in effectiveness, cost, time it takes, amount of blood, and pain management for in-clinic procedures vs. pills with medical care vs. self managing with pills


In-clinic Procedure

How does it work?

With an abortion procedure, the process begins very similarly to when you have a pap smear. The doctor will do a brief pelvic exam and then insert a speculum into the vagina in order to view the cervix. The doctor will numb the cervix with an injection of lidocaine. Then, they will gradually dilate the cervix in order to insert a narrow flexible tube into the uterus, called a cannula. The cannula is connected to a vacuum that will then remove the pregnancy tissue with gentle suction. The suction portion takes about one minute and the entire procedure takes around 5 to 10 minutes.

Everyone has a different experience and pain tolerance; some people have described the cramping and pain as mild while others have explained it as more severe. The cramping occurs as the cervix is stretched open and as the uterus is being emptied because it contracts to get smaller. Some clinics offer pain or sedation medications to help, however they will require you to have a ride home if given sedation. Be sure to ask them before you arrive about your options for sedation. Due to required exams, filling out paperwork, time in the recovery room, and waiting in between, patients tend to spend several hours at the clinic.






Medication Abortion Under Physician Care

How does it work?

Typically, medication abortion or abortion pills are a combination of two medications: mifepristone and misoprostol. This is what clinics all over the country currently offer. .

These medications can be distributed by a doctor at a clinic or via telemedicine in states where abortion is legal. The first medication, mifepristone, is usually swallowed at the doctor's office. This pill is designed to block progesterone, a hormone that supports early pregnancy. The second medication, misoprostol, will be given by the doctor or a pharmacy to take at home or a safe place of your choosing 24-48 hours after the first pill. Misoprostol is typically placed in between the lip and the gums, in the vagina, or under the tongue and will induce bleeding, cramping and the passing of the pregnancy.

image showing how to take misoprostol bucally


Usually, the heaviest bleeding and cramping will occur within the first 4-6 hours hours after taking misoprostol, but you may continue to experience some bleeding for several days or even weeks. Doctors may prescribe pain medications for the cramping but taking ibuprofen or Tylenol is helpful!


Abortion Pills by Mail / Self Managing Abortion

How does it work?

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. While taking abortion pills outside of a formal medical context is safe and effective, it can come with legal risk for the pregnant person and their support system. The process of taking mifepristone and misoprostol is exactly the same as if you went to the doctor, except the medications will be sent in the mail or given to you in person by community networks. 

Alternatively, an abortion by medication can be effective with only misoprostol but the process is slightly different. This requires taking 12 misoprostol total -- 4 pills are placed in between your lip and your gum or under your tongue and you repeat this process every 3 hours.

Taking ibuprofen and using a heating pad can help with the pain and cramping. Clinics usually do not allow the medication abortion if you’re over 11 weeks but many people all across the world have abortions with pills at home later in pregnancy. Studies show taking abortion pills after 12 weeks can be safe and effective. At this gestational age an abortion with pills can take longer, requires multiple doses of misoprostol, and ends with pregnancy tissue that is more developed (usually a fetus + placenta).

Legal Risk

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.

Price Comparison

Use our trip estimate calculator <https://www.ineedana.com/estimate-abortion-costs>


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More comparisons and stories

Everyone has different experiences, preferences and circumstances so the method you choose is the right one for you! If you’re still unsure about the best method check out r/abortion - how to decide between the surgical and medical abortion or call or text the Reprocare Healthline at (833) 226-7821 and talk to someone.