Considering Abortion

When someone gets pregnant, they have three options: 1) continuing the pregnancy and keeping the baby, 2) continuing the pregnancy and creating a plan for adoption, or 3) abortion. While all options can carry some degree of stigma, here at YUP!, we acknowledge that people come to pregnancy and parenthood from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds, and are here to offer supportive and non-judgemental information to help community members make the best decisions for themselves and their families. The decision to have or not have an abortion, or a baby, is very personal, and that decision can only be made by the person who is pregnant, often in consultation with family, healthcare providers, and spiritual leaders.  With that in mind, below is some information and resources for those considering or wondering about abortion.

Abortion is extremely safe. Serious complications are rare.  Abortion is safest when it is done earlier in pregnancy.

Abortion laws vary widely from state to state. In some places it is heavily restricted or banned, meaning there are many laws in place that prevent or challenge some people from accessing abortion. Some states also have very few abortion providers, or they may be very far away, meaning that even if abortion is legal, it may not necessarily be accessible for everyone who wants one.  If you’re under 18, some states may require that you tell or get permission from a parent  or guardian before getting an abortion. 

 

Laws on abortion care also change–almost daily–so one good resource to check out is the Guttmacher Institute, an organization that tracks laws by state.

All types of people get abortions.  In the US, 3 out of 10 women will have an abortion before the age of 45.  The majority of people who get abortions are already parents, and many of them are in a committed relationship.  

People have a variety of reasons for getting abortions.  Some aren’t ready to be parents, socially, emotionally, physically, or financially.  Others are survivors of rape or incest. Sometimes there is a medical complication in the pregnant person, or in the fetus, putting their life or health in danger.  Other people just don’t want to or can’t be pregnant, for many different personal reasons. 

After a few days of recovery, which could involve rest and pain medication to ease cramping, most people return to their normal lives after an abortion. If someone is hoping to avoid another pregnancy, they could consider starting a birth control method . 

 

The most common feeling reported after an abortion is relief, though some people may feel sadness or anger as well.  If someone wants to talk through their experience after abortion, support is available.

The cost of an abortion varies widely depending on location and how far along in pregnancy you are.  Some insurances cover abortion, and others do not.  Some states cover abortion, and others do not. 

 

For those who are unable to pay for their abortion, there are private funds available to cover the cost of the medication or procedure, as well as transportation, childcare, lodging, and other expenses.  

There is lots of information online about abortion, some of it motivated by politics or religion.  You should seek out medical information from respected healthcare providers and organizations, and look to your spiritual or emotional support systems, if applicable, for social support and guidance.