Understanding abortion laws can feel disorienting, especially if you already feel overwhelmed by an unplanned pregnancy.
Some states have abortion restrictions, so women travel to other states for an abortion. If you’re considering an abortion, there are six things you should know before traveling!
1. Know About the Types of Abortion.
There are two types of abortion—surgical and medical abortion. Before you travel, you’ll want to understand the processes and risks of these procedures.
At Pregnancy Care Center, we provide confidential and compassionate abortion information. Click here to learn more.
2. Know How Far Along You Are in Your Pregnancy.
Most abortion laws depend on your gestational age, or how far along you are in your pregnancy. Plus, a medical abortion, or abortion pill, has only been approved by the FDA for up to 10 weeks.1 If a woman has a regular menstrual period, then she can estimate her gestational age. But an ultrasound is the most exact way to figure out how far along you are.
Call Pregnancy Care Center today for a free ultrasound.
3. Know the Laws in Your State.
Currently, abortion is legal prior to fetal viability in California.2 However, exceptions can be made if a licensed physician determines that abortion is needed to protect the life or health of the mother.
Viability refers to the point in pregnancy when a fetus is developed enough to survive outside the womb with medical help. Viability occurs at approximately 24 weeks of pregnancy.3
4. Know the Laws in Other States.
Although the Constitution protects a woman’s right to travel to another state for an abortion, abortion must be legal in that state.4 So, you’ll want to know the abortion laws in the state you plan to travel to. Other states could also have further restrictions such as required counseling, ultrasounds, or a waiting period before an abortion.
5. Know the Cost.
As of March 2024, abortion providers charge up to $800 for medical abortion or abortion pills.5 Surgical abortions can cost up to $1,150 in the first trimester, to $2,300 in the second trimester.6 These costs often include fees for ultrasounds, blood tests, medications, and follow-up appointments. Traveling for an abortion also includes the cost of travel, lodging, and even missing work.
At Pregnancy Care Center, we can confirm your pregnancy and perform an ultrasound for free. We do not provide or refer for abortion services, but we want to empower you with the information you need about all of your pregnancy options.
Call us today at 559-237-0683 for a confidential appointment. We will never share your pregnancy decision with anyone.
6. Know About Follow-Up.
As with any medical procedure, follow-up care is recommended to evaluate for complications. Complications from the abortion pills could include retained pregnancy tissue, heavy bleeding, allergic reaction, or infection.7 Whereas complications from a surgical abortion could include uterine perforation, infection, or bleeding.8
So, if you travel out of state, you’ll need to know how long you might need to remain in the state for follow-up with the abortion provider.
Abortion Information in Fresno, CA
We understand that abortion may feel like the best option for you right now. Before you spend time, money, and energy on traveling out of state, consider scheduling a confidential appointment at Pregnancy Care Center.
We provide free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and abortion information. We’re here to help you make an informed and empowered decision!
Please be aware that Pregnancy Care Center does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
FDA. (2023, January). Questions and Answers on Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation?sm_guid=NTU1NzgyfDYzMDE1OTM2fC0xfGppbUBha2ZhbWlseS5vcmd8NTY4OTI4MXx8MHwwfDE5OTYwMDk4OHwxMDg2fDB8MHx8NTQ3NzI2fDA1
Proclamation on Reproductive Freedom. (2019, May 31). https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Proclamation-on-Reproductive-Freedom.pdf
Breborowicz, G. (2001, January). Limits of fetal viability and its enhancement. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11753511/
Justice Department Files Statement of Interest in Case on Right to Travel to Access Legal Abortions. (2023, November 9). https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-files-statement-interest-case-right-travel-access-legal-abortions
As advertised by abortion providers as of March 2024.
As advertised by abortion providers as of March 2024.
Cleveland Clinic. (2024, January 16). Medical Abortion. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21899-medical-abortion
Cleveland Clinic. (2024, February 9). What Is a D&C? https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/dilation-and-curettage