Abortion

Abortion is Part of Healthcare

First, you're Not Alone!

This is a common issue in America. As many as 50% of all pregnancies in America are unintended, which means that 1/20 women of child-bearing age will become pregnant without planning to every year. For more information, you can learn directly from the CDC (The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the largest public health organization in the country).

Second, There are A Few Types

Medical, and Surgical are the broad categories. You can read the details well described here, or ask your physician to discuss them with you. While "pill-based" abortions can be prescribed by willing doctors who have a special dispensing license, procedural or surgical abortions can usually only be performed by OB/GYNs or specially trained doctors. It can be hard in some areas finding an abortion provider; the website ineedanA.com can make the search much easier.​

More interested in learning? This video at ReproAction has all of the information you will need in order to make a decision about what's right for you.

If you're a minor, know that options are limited without your parents.

The easiest thing to do is to tell your parents, but sometimes that isn't safe. You should know that these doctors' visits are protected more tightly under "patient-doctor confidentiality." For info on options and resources, try texting "Chat Now" to 774-636 to speak to a confidential Planned Parenthood health educator. You can also take a look at this.

On the fence? That's perfectly alright; this is a complicated and personal decision! Keeping an open mind is a difficult thing to do, and being willing to learn and read about something like this is admirable. You can open up conversations with your loved ones (or just think about it yourself) through some prompts and Frequently Asked Questions on this website. You can also read people's abortion stories to put a human face behind these issues.

Third, This is Unfortunately a Political Issue​

Feel strongly about supporting reproductive rights for women, and bodily autonomy? Great, so do a lot of doctors! Unfortunately while we're busy with the medical aspect of these things, we don't always have the time to go to pro-choice rallies. Make a point of finding your representatives and calling them to let your wishes be known and try to sway them. If this sort of thing confuses you or you're not interested, don't worry! Most people aren't interested enough to learn about these things, which is why a tool like ResistBot is useful. You can get regular text messages (for free) that guide you on how to lobby your representatives to make decisions which will respect women's rights. Just text "resist" to 50409 to get started and see if it's for you. You will NOT be asked for money or commitments, but it can help you to send messages and contact people in charge of making these decisions​

You can also support local abortion funds. ​

All of this can seem overwhelming. Keep in mind that you have allies in healthcare providers and among your friends, even if it doesn't always feel that way.

Importantly, What Should You Watch Out For?

Crisis Pregnancy Centers - When you have an unplanned pregnancy, you may be a bit desperate to find a doctor or clinic to discuss all of your options at. Unfortunately, some of the best publicized "clinics" actually have no medical staff and are designed to deceive and distract you until you no longer have any choice but to carry the pregnancy to term. Texas has a particularly aggressive set of these, and more information about them can be found here.

Other Resources:

  • IneedanA.com can help you to find local abortion resources

  • NeedAbortion.org can help with resources even in Texas, with the changing legal landscape there

  • AidAccess.org is a site that can get an online consult for abortion services if there ARE no local resources in your area

  • PlanC can help to identify local providers who can assist with at-home abortion pills, and provide free, confidential phone & text support from experts.

  • ReproLegalHelpline is what it sounds like: a place you can get legal assistance and information on self-managed abortions and legal

  • Miscarriage & Abortion Hotline can help to connect you remotely with professionals, or you can call or text 1-833-246-2632 from 10 AM to 10 PM (in any continental US time zone)

  • ACCESS is a podcast for general information, perspective, and removing stigma.

  • This Video can walk you through what it's like to have a medication abortion at home, and what to expect. Especially right now when abortion is limited in clinical settings, "self-managed" abortion is an important thing to be aware of.