What Is an Abortion?
An abortion is a medical treatment that ends a pregnancy. It is sometimes called a termination. Abortions are common and safe health care.
A pregnancy can also end on its own which is called a miscarriage, or a spontaneous abortion. When this happens a health care provider may use the same medical treatments to help clear the contents of the uterus.
An abortion can happen by taking pills or having a procedure at a health care facility. The type of abortion you have can depend on what you want, how long it’s been since you got pregnant (how far along you are), and any medical conditions you have.
Abortion is legal in Washington. People of any age and from anywhere can get an abortion here.
Abortion Is Safe
Clinical evidence shows that all types of abortion are safe and effective. Serious complications are rare, although the risk goes up the longer you are pregnant.
Abortion does not make you more likely to have breast cancer, depression, or infertility (not being able to have children).
Types of Abortion
Timing is important when deciding to have an abortion. The earlier you are in your pregnancy, the more types of abortion may be available to you.
You can choose to have an abortion in Washington for any reason before the fetus can live outside your body (fetal viability), or an abortion may be offered to you if it is necessary to protect your life or health. A health care provider will be able to tell if a fetus is viable.
Some providers only do certain types of abortion depending on their training and the equipment available. Make sure to ask the clinic which types they offer and what kind of pain management may be available to you.
Medication Abortion
Sometimes called the “abortion pill” or “medical abortion,” medication abortion is an option for most people up to about 11 weeks of pregnancy.
There are two methods for medication abortion available:
- A two-drug combination (mifepristone and misoprostol).
- One drug only (misoprostol).
After you take the drugs, a medication abortion can take a few days to complete. The length of time is different for everyone and depends on the method used.
You can take the pills in a health care facility, at home, or wherever you’re staying. Just note that while abortion is legal in Washington, there may be legal risks if you take the pills or finish your abortion in another state. Your provider will give you instructions on how to take the medication and what to expect.
You will need to take a pregnancy test no sooner than four to five weeks after taking the medication to make sure it worked. If you take a pregnancy test sooner, you may receive a false positive (the test will show you are pregnant when you may not be).
Learn more about medication abortion and how to access it in Washington.
Aspiration
This option is available for most people up to 14-16 weeks of pregnancy.
The provider uses gentle suction and sometimes a small medical tool to remove the contents from your uterus (part of your reproductive system).
This procedure is done in a clinic, surgery center, or an operating room and takes about a half an hour. You may need to spend time in a recovery area resting, especially if you were given medicine to help with pain or anxiety. The provider may also require that someone give you a ride home.
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)
This option is available for most people after 16 weeks of pregnancy. This procedure may require that you see a provider a few times, and over several days.
The provider will give you medication to dilate your cervix (expand the opening of your uterus) and use small medical tools to remove the contents from your uterus.
This procedure is done in a clinic, surgery center, or an operating room and takes about a half an hour. You may need to spend time in a recovery area resting, especially if you were given medicine to help with pain or anxiety. The provider may also require that someone give you a ride home.
After Abortion Birth Control
All contraceptive methods (birth control) are safe and effective immediately after abortion.
Talk with your abortion provider if you want to start or continue birth control after your abortion since you can often get it at the same time as your abortion and avoid multiple appointments.
Abortion Aftercare
Your abortion aftercare will depend on the type of abortion you have.
Your provider will give you detailed information about what to expect and how to care for yourself after your abortion, including when to take a follow-up pregnancy test to confirm your abortion was effective.
Learn more about what to expect and how to take care of yourself after an abortion.
If you can’t reach your abortion provider, the Miscarriage & Abortion Hotline offers talk and text lines with trained abortion providers if you have questions or concerns after your abortion.
If you need emotional support after your abortion:
- The Abortion Resolution Workbook can help you process your experience.
- Exhale has an after-abortion emotional support chat service including talk and text.
- ReproCare is an anonymous health line that offers accurate information and emotional support
- The Doula Project offers a medication abortion hotline with compassionate non-medical emotional and informational support from trained doulas
- Connect & Breathe is a talk line staffed by people trained to listen and provide unbiased support after an abortion.
Resources To Learn More About Abortion
All About Abortion (AbortionFinder.org)
Abortion – Beyond the Basics (Up-to-date)
Abortion Care FAQ (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)
Abortion: What to Expect (National Abortion Federation)
What facts about abortion do I need to know? (Planned Parenthood)