What are my abortion options?

There are two main types of abortions — medical and surgical — and your eligibility for abortion depends on the stage of your pregnancy. A medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, is a two-pill process that chemically ends and expels the pregnancy from the uterus. This option is available to women who are less than 11 weeks along and is started at a doctor’s office and completed at home. Surgical abortions use surgical means to end the pregnancy and extract it from the uterus. All legal surgical abortions are performed in a medical setting and the method of surgical abortion used depends on the stage of the pregnancy. Regardless of the level of development your pregnancy is in, the abortion procedure will involve some form of dilation, followed by an extraction using forceps or a suction device.

There are two types of abortion: surgical and medication abortion. Both work towards ending an existing pregnancy. If you are over 10 weeks pregnant, you are not eligible for medication abortion, and surgical abortion is your only other abortion option. Some major risks of medication abortion include incomplete abortion, heavy and prolonged bleeding, infection, fever, and more. Risks of surgical abortion include perforation of the uterus, damage to the cervix, infection, and more. Consider the risks before choosing abortion. You deserve to know about all of them.

Can I have a baby without passing my STD?

The short answer is: it depends on the type of STD you have and whether or not you’re seeking the appropriate treatment. The following STDs can be passed to your child before, during, or after birth: Chlamydia Genital herpes Gonorrhea Hepatitis B HIV/AIDS HPV/genital warts Syphilis Trichomonas Vaginalis While some STDs, including Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and Trichomoniasis, can be treated and cured during pregnancy, others cannot. Incurable viral STDs include genital Herpes, Hepatitis B, and HIV. While these infections are not curable, you may be able to access antiviral medication that can limit the risk of spreading the infection to your baby.

What Is The Abortion Pill?

Abortion procedures are divided into two types: medical and surgical. The abortion pill is a medical abortion method because it uses drugs. Naming this method the abortion pill sounds like you take one pill, and you are done. The truth is this method uses two powerful drugs over a 24 to 48 hour period.

How Does The Abortion Pill Work?

When a woman becomes pregnant, the fetus needs a hormone known as progesterone to thrive and grow. The first drug you take is called mifepristone. This drug blocks the uterus from absorbing progesterone and terminates her pregnancy. The second drug, misoprostol, causes the uterus to contract to remove the pregnancy from her body. This causes vaginal bleeding and clotting, along with intense cramping.

Is It Safe To Order Online?

The first drug, mifepristone, is highly regulated in the U.S. Only physicians who have been pre-approved can distribute it. When you search for the abortion pill, it’s possible to go to a foreign site distributing the drugs. The FDA warns against ordering them online because foreign distributors don’t have the same safety standards as America. While you can now order the abortion pill online, it is dangerous to do so without first confirming how far along you are and if you are eligible for the abortion pill.

What Are The Risks of the Abortion Pill?

The Mayo Clinic lists over a dozen drugs that don’t mix with mifepristone. They warn about heavy bleeding. You might need to have “a surgical procedure to stop excessive vaginal bleeding or to terminate a pregnancy that was not terminated with the Mifeprex® (mifepristone) treatment procedure.” According to the Mayo Clinic, an incomplete abortion is the number one risk of medical abortion. Other risks include infection, fever, and digestive system discomfort. There is also the possibility your pregnancy is too far along. The abortion pill is prescribed only when your pregnancy is 70 days or less from the first day of your last menstrual cycle.

What Are the Side Effects of the Abortion Pill?

Before taking any medication, knowing the side effects and potential risks is essential. Vomiting, fever, and diarrhea are a few of the side effects of the abortion pill. If you’re considering the abortion pill method for terminating your unintended pregnancy, learn about the other side effects and potential risks you might expect from taking the drugs.

How Does The Abortion Pill Work?

The abortion pill method is a form of medical or medication abortion. The procedure uses two drugs to terminate a pregnancy within 24 to 48 hours. The first drug is taken at the abortion clinic. It blocks progesterone, an important hormone needed for pregnancy growth, from being absorbed in the uterus. The second drug, taken at home, causes vaginal bleeding and cramping, expelling the pregnancy from the uterus. The FDA has approved the use of the abortion pill method only when your pregnancy is 70 days or less from the first day of your last menstrual period. Do you remember the date your last period began?

Will Insurance Pay for My Abortion Pill? - Women's Clinics Maryland in Maryland

July 28, 2021

Are you considering your options after finding out you’re unexpectedly pregnant? If so, finances could be a significant deciding factor for you. Abortion costs can vary, and so do all the other appointment fees you may not have thought about yet. You may be wondering if your insurance covers the abortion pill and how much? Abortion insurance coverage is often confusing for women. We want to give you more information so you know what to expect.

Know that you are not alone in your journey. Our team is here to provide you with the resources and insight you need to make an informed decision. You have three options: parenting, abortion, or adoption. Make sure you are educated about all three before making your final decision.

Is Abortion Expensive?

There is a range of abortion costs. It could cost you anything from $350 to $2,000 based on the gestational age of your pregnancy. While it’s difficult to give you an exact price, the costs depend on a few different things like:

What state you live in
What type of abortion procedure you receive
What kind of health insurance you have

A medication abortion (using the abortion pill) normally costs between $350-$650 with insurance. A surgical abortion typically costs between $600-$2,000 with insurance. It all depends on your specific health insurance in your state.

What’s Covered By My Insurance?

Your insurance coverage depends on your state laws. Many health insurance plans don’t cover any abortions, while many do. If you live in Maryland, this is one of the few states where abortion is covered for certain women receiving Medicaid. Talk with your health insurance provider to learn more.

What to Know Before An Abortion

It’s vital to confirm your pregnancy before making your pregnancy decision. Receive a lab-quality pregnancy test and ultrasound to know how far along you are and if you have a viable pregnancy. Knowing the details of your pregnancy can affect what type of abortion procedure you are eligible for.

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The Women's Clinics Maryland gave us the knowledge, strength, and encouragement which helped us in making our decision. They guided us through each tough obstacle that a woman faces. - Victoria

My counselor and nurse were so kind and caring, they answered every question with respect and absolutely no judgement. It was so convenient to get counseling and medical services all in one place. - McKenzie

The office was so clean and welcoming. I felt very comfortable discussing the pregnancy and the next steps. I thought I knew what I wanted, but they helped me see all the options and possibilities from a fresh perspective. - Janna

The ladies at the Clinic are so kind and nice. The Clinic itself was very clean. I felt very comfortable and welcome. I strongly recommend this place. - Tiffany

Very informative, patient and accommodating. Would recommend – Kathleen

Friendly and knowledgeable staff from front desk to sonographers! – Krista

I highly recommend this place. Having an appointment here is more like sitting down with family and friends. The people there are very understanding of different people and cultures. - Pamilla

The clinic provides counseling, assistance, and a relationship which leaves you with a feeling that you are NOT alone. – Z

The staff at the pregnancy clinic were kind and professional. I never once felt uncomfortable or invaluable. They have a clean facility and really go the extra mile to help you feel at home. - Katelyn

The medical staff is great, very understanding and warm and inviting. - Harper