Skip to main navigation

Skip to footer

For Individuals & Families:

For Individuals & Families For Individuals & Families

Shop for Plans

Member Guide Member Guide

Find a Doctor Find a Doctor

Abortion

Overview

What is an abortion?

Abortion is the early ending of a pregnancy. This can be done with a procedure (in-clinic abortion) or medicines (pill abortion). It can also be done using medicines to start labor and delivery (induction abortion). When a pregnancy ends on its own, it's called a miscarriage.

How will you know what decision is right for you?

For some, the choice to have an abortion is clear. For others, it's more complicated. Your other options are to continue the pregnancy and either become a parent or arrange an adoption. You may need some time to think about your choices.

Talking to people you trust may help you to decide what's best for you. If you're comfortable, you might talk with your doctor. You may also want to talk with someone close to you who understands how the different choices would affect your life.

Abortion may or may not be legal where you live. No matter where you live, if you are considering an abortion, you can reach out to Planned Parenthood. They can help you understand your options and how to access that care. There may be funds available if you need to travel.

When can an abortion be done?

The earlier you are in your pregnancy, the more options you are likely to have.

Before 11 weeks, you may have a choice of taking medicine to end the pregnancy (pill abortion) or having a procedure such as vacuum aspiration (in-clinic abortion).

After 11 weeks, in-clinic abortion is usually the only option. Abortions are rarely done after 24 weeks of pregnancy (during the late second trimester and entire third trimester).

How safe is abortion?

Pill abortions and in-clinic abortions are generally very safe. Both are low-risk options. The risk may be less if the abortion is done before 14 weeks of pregnancy.

Will you be able to have children in the future?

Having an abortion usually won't keep you from getting pregnant later.

It will probably take you a day to a few weeks to feel better after an abortion. Ask your doctor when it's okay to have vaginal sex.

Keep in mind that you can get pregnant in the weeks right after an abortion. If you don't want to get pregnant, talk with your doctor about birth control options.

Choices: Pill or In-Clinic Abortion

Comparing pill and in-clinic abortion

There are two types of abortions. One type is done with medicines (pill abortion). The other is a procedure (in-clinic abortion). The best type for you may depend on things such as your past health, where you live, and how many weeks pregnant you are.

In a pill abortion, you take medicines to end the pregnancy. This may be done at home. Your doctor will explain how to take the pills. They can be taken as soon as you know that you are pregnant. These medicines usually cause bleeding and strong cramps for 3 to 5 hours. You may need to take pain medicine. After 3 to 5 hours, the cramps and bleeding usually lessen. Then for about 1 to 2 weeks, you will probably bleed like you do when you have your period.

You will have an ultrasound or a lab test to make sure the abortion worked. You will be told when to do this. In a few cases, the medicine doesn't work. If that happens, you may need to take a second dose of medicine or have an in-clinic abortion.

In an in-clinic abortion, a doctor gently widens the opening of your cervix and puts a tube in your uterus. The tube uses suction to remove the contents of the uterus. This procedure takes less than an hour. Before the procedure, you may get medicine to relieve pain and help you relax. After, you may have strong cramps and light bleeding. They don't usually last more than a few days. But cramping may last for up to a few weeks.

Abortion may or may not be legal where you live. No matter where you live, if you need an abortion, you can reach out to Planned Parenthood. They can help you understand your options and how to access that care. There may be funds available if you need to travel.

Learn more

Vacuum AspirationVacuum Aspiration
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)
Induction AbortionInduction Abortion

When to Call a Doctor

Your doctor will give you information about what to expect after an abortion. Normal symptoms that most often occur include:

Irregular bleeding or spotting for as long as the first few weeks.
Cramping for up to a few weeks.
Nausea and vomiting for 4 to 6 hours after using abortion pills.
Fever for up to 4 hours after using abortion pills.

Follow your doctor's instructions on what to do at home.

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

You passed out (lost consciousness).
You have severe vaginal bleeding along with lightheadedness or nausea.
You have chest pain, are short of breath, or cough up blood.
You feel you cannot stop from hurting yourself or someone else.

Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:

Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
Text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line.

Consider saving these numbers in your phone.

Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.

Call your doctor now if you have any of these symptoms after an abortion:

Severe bleeding. Any abortion usually causes bleeding that is different from a normal menstrual period. Severe bleeding can mean:
- Passing clots that are bigger than a golf ball, lasting 2 or more hours.
- Soaking more than 2 large pads in an hour, for 2 hours in a row.
- Bleeding heavily for 12 hours in a row.
Signs of infection in your whole body, such as headache, muscle aches, dizziness, or a general feeling of illness. Severe infection is possible without fever.
Severe pain in the belly that isn't relieved by pain medicine, rest, or heat
Hot flushes or a fever that lasts longer than 4 hours
Vomiting lasting more than 4 to 6 hours
Sudden belly swelling or fast heart rate
Vaginal discharge that has increased in amount or smells bad

Call your doctor for an appointment if you have any of these symptoms after a recent abortion:

Bleeding (not spotting) for longer than 2 weeks
No menstrual period within 6 weeks after the procedure
Still feeling pregnant or having pregnancy symptoms
Signs of depressiondepression. Hormonal changes after a pregnancy can cause depression that requires treatment.
You are not getting better as expected.

Information about Abortion

Self-Care

Carefully follow all of your doctor's instructions after you've had an abortion.

If you didn't get instructions, follow this general advice.

Do not rinse your vagina with fluids (douche).
This could increase your risk of infections that can lead to pelvic inflammatory diseasepelvic inflammatory disease.
Take any medicines your doctor has prescribed.
Take them exactly as instructed.
Ask your doctor when you can return to normal activities or strenuous exercise.
Most people can return to normal activities 1 to 2 days after an abortion.
Ask your doctor when it's okay to have vaginal sex.
You can get pregnant in the weeks after an abortion. If you don't want to get pregnant, talk to your doctor about birth control options.

Learn more

Abortion: Emotional RecoveryAbortion: Emotional Recovery
Birth ControlBirth Control
Pill Abortion CarePill Abortion Care
In-Clinic Abortion CareIn-Clinic Abortion Care

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffIgnite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review BoardClinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of UseTerms of Use. Learn how we develop our contenthow we develop our content.

To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.comwebmdignite.com.

Page Footer

I want to...

Audiences

Secure Member Sites

The Cigna Group Information

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details Details