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 1st Steps Clinic, 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 1st Steps Clinic for a free ultrasound today.
3. Know the Laws in Your State.
Currently, abortion is illegal in Mississippi. However, exceptions can be made to save the life of the mother or in cases of rape.[2]
The majority of states with abortion restrictions do not prosecute women who choose an abortion. It’s important to understand the laws of the state you plan on traveling to.
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.[3] 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.
The cost of an abortion can vary based on:
- how far along you are
- the type of abortion performed (abortion pill or surgical abortion)
- the state the abortion is performed in
- whether a local anesthetic is used
As of April 2024, abortion providers charge between $500 to $950 for medical abortion or abortion pills.4 Surgical abortion can cost between $500 to $1,150 in the first trimester.[4] The cost jumps from $570 up to $2,300 in the second trimester and beyond.[4]
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. Medicaid will not cover an abortion if you travel out of state. Some private insurance companies may cover the cost, but you’ll need to check with them.
At 1st Steps Clinic, 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 662-324-7011 for a confidential appointment. We will never share your pregnancy decision with anyone.
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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.[5] Whereas complications from a surgical abortion could include uterine perforation, infection, or bleeding.[6]
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 Starkville, Mississippi
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 1st Steps Clinic.
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 1st Steps Clinic 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
- Mississippi Abortion Notice Published in Administrative Bulletin. Michael Watson Secretary of State. (2022, June 27). Retrieved from https://www.sos.ms.gov/press/mississippi-abortion-notice-published-administrative-bulletin
- 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 April 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