It was January 2020, and Roe v. Wade was still the law.
I was astounded at everything I realized I didnt know about pregnancy and maternal healthcare.
I was 43 years old, and had spent immense resources avoiding becoming pregnant my entire life.
The next 11 days of my life became an absurdly frustrating and bewildering race to meet an arbitrary deadline.
Heres everything I wish Id known about how to get an abortion.
Emergency contraception exists, but is not 100% effective, and may be less effectivedepending on your weight.
So even if youve taken Plan B or Ella, you could still be pregnant.
I was, and my friends morning-after-pill baby just graduated college.
If youre trying to get pregnant, youre likely looking for signs of pregnancy and tracking signals.
For the rest of us, you might have absolutely zero signs.
Pregnancy tests, when used correctly, are 99% accurate.
The problem is, using your test at home drops the accuracy to 75%.
First, ensure youre receiving your test in an actual health center.
You may need to travel to obtain healthcare in a neighboring state.
Thats an extra three weeks and change.
BUT ALSO, you should probably check what the parental consent laws are if youre under 18.
There arepeople who can help you with thisoption.
You may also just not want anyone else to have access to information related to your healthcare.
Lastly, you should probably consider who has access to your phone bill or internet history.
Are you sharing locations with anyone via your phone?
To also encrypt the traffic leaving your system, use a VPN likeProtonVPNorMullvad.
All of the apps mentioned above are free, and easy to install.
Find a provider and get an appointment
From here, everything starts with an appointment.
If you have health insurance, you’ve got the option to call your insurance and ask.
In some states,Medicaid will also pay for abortion.
The procedure, on its own, is your first cost.
A medical abortion can runbetween $40and as much as $800.
A reminder: There are services to help defray the costs, which are detailed below.
Abortion costs are more than simply the procedure.
TheNational web connection of Abortion Fundsis the place to start.
Consider the resources around younamely, the other uterus-bearing people in your life.
A few months after my abortion, I decided to post about it on social media.
Some clinics have people outside when you approach: clinic escorts and protesters.
Before you arrive, its likely your clinic will advise you about escorts and/or protesters.
If someone else is driving you, consider wearing headphones and sunglasses as you approach the clinic.
Wear a hoodie pulled up, a hat pulled down low, whatever will help you avoid eye contact.
You do not need to accept anything from them.
Do not be summoned away from the clinic by anyone.
Escorts will take you into the clinic, not to another location.
When in doubt, call your clinic and explain the situation.
Ask for help getting into the building.
Its a medical term, and there are multiple ways to receive this healthcare.
Generally, medication abortions can only be received through the 10th week of pregnancy.
Taking anti-nausea medication can help as well.
A second medication, called misoprostol, can be taken right away, or up to 48 hours later.
Your provider will help you decide whats best for you and how to time them.
In that case, youll take three or four doses of misoprostol over twelve hours.
Sometimes people purposefullychoosean in-clinic procedure over medical abortion.
There are two methods for doing so.
Which you receive depends on how late you are in the pregnancy.
You might receive some additional tests, like an ultrasound.
You might receive antibiotics.
Most clinics will require you to have someone who will drive you home after your procedure.
The provider will examine your vagina and uterus, using a speculum.
They might give you a numbing shot, internally, near your cervix.
Both procedures take less than 20 minutes.
you might take medication abortion pills at home or in a providers office.
Bleeding can last anywhere from two to six weeks.
Severe pain that isnt helped by medication is deserving of a call to your provider.
Also call if you have fever or chills, or nausea or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours.
Almost all medical procedures carry an emotional toll.
Your partners, if informed, may also experience a range of emotions.
Its important to take all the medications you were prescribed, and to avoid sex for a week.
you might also get pregnant right away, so as soon as youre sexually active again, protect yourself.
If you live in Oregon, pills can arrive the next day.
If you live in Texas, they have to come from overseas, so it takes time.
