What is an abortion?

Abortion is the early ending of a pregnancy.

• A spontaneous abortion, or miscarriage, occurs when a natural cause ends a pregnancy. If you have had or may be having a miscarriage, see the topic Miscarriage.
• A therapeutic or induced abortion is one resulting from measures taken to intentionally end a pregnancy, using medicines (medical abortion) or surgery.

Surgical abortion is most commonly used to end a pregnancy, but medical abortion is becoming more widely used since RU-486 (mifepristone) was approved for use in the United States in 2000.¹ Both medical and surgical methods of abortion require follow-up visits that include a physical and pelvic examination to make sure recovery is going well, as well as birth control planning.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have had unprotected sex in the last 5 days and don't want to become pregnant, see a health professional about emergency contraception. This is most commonly in the form of hormone pills (Plan B, also referred to as the morning-after pill) to help prevent pregnancy. If you are 18 or older, you can get Plan B at a pharmacy, with proof of age. If you are younger than 18, you can get Plan B with a prescription. If you have had unprotected sex in the past 5 to 7 days, you may be able to use a copper intrauterine device (IUD) for emergency contraception. This will also work for long-term birth control.

If you think you may be pregnant, see a health professional for a pregnancy test and examination as soon as possible. If you are pregnant, this is an important time for learning as much as you can about your options. If you are considering abortion, the earlier you are in your pregnancy, the more options you are likely to have and the lower your risk of complications.

How do I know what decision is right for me?

For your own future well-being, it's important that you make a well-informed decision when you are considering an abortion. Early pregnancy counseling helps you reach a positive outcome, regardless of whether you continue with the pregnancy or choose an abortion. Family planning clinics offer pregnancy counseling. You may also want to discuss your decision with a trusted person close to you who has a realistic view of how a pregnancy and parenthood would impact your life. Take time to think through your choices, which are to:

• Have an abortion.
• Have a baby and dedicate yourself to supporting and raising your child to adulthood.
• Have a baby and place the baby for adoption.

When can an abortion be done?

Depending on how many weeks pregnant you are, you may have a choice between two or more types of abortion procedures. Medical and surgical methods available differ at each stage of pregnancy. As a pregnancy progresses into the second trimester, only surgical abortion can be used. Risks of second-trimester surgical abortion are higher than risks for first-trimester abortion.