Considering an Abortion

Abortion is a very safe way to end a pregnancy. Here are the facts about the different kinds of abortion and what to expect.

It depends on where you live. Some states have banned abortion or created lots of restrictions. While abortion is still legal in many states, and it's still legal to go to a different state to get an abortion, some states are trying to put in place laws that limit travel to obtain an abortion.

At this time there are no states that have criminal penalties in place for the person using medication to induce an abortion during the first trimester. However, with an increasing number of states attempting to find ways to criminalize abortion we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the laws in your state and discuss your concerns with your counselor at Her Safe Harbor.

Is abortion legal?

Medication abortion — also called the “abortion pill” — is when you take medicines to end an early pregnancy, up to 11 weeks after the first day of your last period.

In-clinic abortion is generally a fast and simple procedure that a trained doctor or nurse does in a health center.

Both kinds of abortion are safe and effective.

How does abortion work?

In-clinic Abortion

A doctor or nurse uses medical instruments and gentle suction to take the pregnancy out of your uterus through your vagina.

Medication Abortion

You take pills that alter your hormones to end your pregnancy. The pills cause cramping and bleeding so the pregnancy tissue comes out of your uterus through your vagina. It’s like an early miscarriage.

There are two ways to have a medication abortion using pills. You can use two medicines: mifepristone and misoprostol. Or you can use misoprostol alone. At Her Safe Harbor we only offer the combination mifepristone/misoprostol method as this has been proven to be the safest and most effective medication protocol. The abortion will usually be finished within 24 hours after you take the last dose of pills.

What are the different kinds of abortion?

Both in-clinic and medication abortions are very safe. In fact, abortion is one of the safest medical procedures out there — it has a lower complication rate than other common medical procedures, like getting your wisdom teeth pulled. And abortion pills are safer than medicines like penicillin, Tylenol, and Viagra.

Abortion is also very common: About 1 in 4 women in the U.S. will have an abortion by the time they’re 45 years old.

You can count on Her Safe Harbor for expert, quality sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion. We regularly review new medical research and get updates from groups like the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Serious problems after an abortion are very rare. But like any medicine or medical procedure, there are some risks. Learn more about the risks of in-clinic abortion and the risks of the medication.