The Typical Abortion Timeline - Pro-Choice Washington

As a patient, you decide how and when you need abortion care on your own terms.

Here are the typical steps in an abortion journey, though they may vary by patient.

Step 1: Confirm your pregnancy

If you think you are pregnant, take an at-home pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy. You can also schedule an appointment with a provider to confirm your pregnancy and the gestational age (how far along you are).

Step 2: Understand your options

Once you have confirmed your pregnancy, several options are available: parenting, adoption or abortion (termination). Take your time to consider them all.

Step 3: Make your decision

Making your pregnancy decision is up to you, and everyone is different.

Learn more about abortion beyond just the basics

Step 4: Make Your Abortion Appointment

Your provider will help you schedule additional appointments depending on the type of abortion you need – medication or a procedural (in-clinic) abortion.

Step 5: Your Appointment Day

For a medication abortion, plan for the appointment to last around one hour. Afterwards, you can decide when to take the two-drug combination (mifepristone first; then misoprostol).

For a procedural abortion, plan to be in the clinic all day. The actual procedure takes less than 20 minutes. Your provider will discuss pain management options with you.

Step 6: Your Aftercare

Cramping and some bleeding are common symptoms after your abortion. Your clinic may be able to provide you with over-the-counter pain medication. See the Resources page if you need additional support, such as doula care.