Abortion laws in the United States vary by state and have changed significantly in recent years. Some states have banned abortion entirely, while others allow abortion but impose restrictions on who can obtain care and under what circumstances. Many states, including some where Whole Woman’s Health offers care, continue to protect access to abortion. Whole Woman’s Health is proud to provide abortion care in ten states where it remains legal, and we are committed to helping patients understand their options regardless of where they live. For up-to-date, reliable information about abortion legality in each state, visit the Center for Reproductive Right’s Maps and Tools website.
Yes. If you live in a state where abortion is banned or heavily restricted, it is legal to travel to another state where abortion care is available.
Parental involvement requirements vary. Below is a breakdown of parental consent and notification requirements in each state in which Whole Woman’s Health provides care:
If you have questions about parental involvement laws or judicial bypass, you can contact the Whole Woman’s Health EmpowerLine at (877) 835-1090 for confidential guidance.
No. No one can force you to have an abortion against your will, regardless of your age or the state in which you live. In every state, a patient’s consent to an abortion is mandatory; if the patient does not consent, the abortion cannot be performed regardless of the wishes of a parent, a partner, or anyone else.
No. Whether or not to share this information is entirely your decision. Whole Woman’s Health always operates with your patient privacy in mind. No information regarding your care will be released without your authorization.
Yes, we are happy to provide support as you are making your decision. All of our clinics offer counseling options where you can talk with a counselor about how you’re feeling, ask questions, and talk about additional resources that may be available to you. Our counselors are trained professionals who will guide you without pressure or judgement. Please contact our EmpowerLine for more information about counseling.
The best option depends on your preferences and individual circumstances. In rare situations, one method may be medically recommended over the other. For pregnancies of 12 weeks or less, patients are encouraged to choose the option that feels right for them.
Both methods are safe and effective. Whole Woman’s Health staff will support you in whichever option you choose.
Pain and discomfort vary from person to person. Some patients describe cramping similar to a strong menstrual cramps, while others experience more or less discomfort. Our clinicians, counselors, and support staff work together to manage pain and anxiety and to make your experience as comfortable as possible.
Whole Woman’s Health offers sedation options, but patients are not placed fully under general anesthesia. Available options for sedation include oral (“mild”) sedation, which is taken as a pill and helps with relaxation; or IV (“moderate” or “conscious” sedation, which is given through an IV and reduces discomfort as well as helping you relax. With both options, patients remain awake and breathing normally. Your care team will explain available options and help you choose what is best for you.
Yes. Whole Woman’s Health clinics offer a wide variety of birth control options. Our staff can help you select the best method for you. Some birth control methods will be available to you on-site to take home after your appointment; others require a prescription, which we will provide for you to fill at a pharmacy of your choosing.
Yes. Contrary to what you might read in the media from anti-abortion sources, abortion is one of the safest medical procedures performed in the United States. Having an abortion is significantly safer than childbirth, and complications from routine abortion care are rare. As a comparison, there are higher rates of complications from routine colonoscopies, tooth extractions, or taking Tylenol than there are from routine abortion care.
Extensive medical research has found no long‑term health risks associated with abortion. Claims linking abortion to infertility, depression, miscarriage, preterm birth, or cancer have been repeatedly disproven.
No. Having an abortion does not interfere with your ability to become pregnant or carry a pregnancy in the future.
No. There are no known physical or psychological risks associated with having more than one abortion.
Yes. People of all genders and sexual orientations have abortions. Research shows that a significant portion of people who have abortions do not identify as heterosexual women. Whole Woman’s Health provides inclusive, affirming care to everyone.
Yes, we do offer financial assistance, and our EmpowerLine staff will help you determine what funding options are available to you. Although we do not offer payment plans, we work with multiple abortion funds and other organizations that may help cover the cost of your care.
Yes. Our clinics accept in‑network insurance plans where permitted by law and in some states, you can use your Medicaid coverage for abortion care. If you have insurance that cannot be used to cover abortion care, we can help you find financial assistance and/or explore alternative payment options.
We accept cash, all major credit cards (the card does not need to be in the patient’s name), money orders, Apple Pay, and PayPal.
Yes. Many abortion funds provide financial assistance for practical support such as transportation, lodging, meals, childcare, and prescriptions. If you need help with any of these expenses or logistics, please contact us so we can connect you with available resources.
If you have a procedural abortion with sedation, you will need someone to take you home since you won’t be able to drive for 24 hours after your procedure. You may go home with a friend, family member, partner, or use a taxi, rideshare, or pubic transportation. If you have a medication abortion or a procedural abortion without sedation, you’ll be able to drive yourself home.
You will need ID for your appointment, but any identification with your name and photograph will suffice, including passports, school IDs, learner’s permits, state or tribal IDs, military IDs, or concealed carry permits. Your ID does not need to be unexpired, does not need to be issued by a state or federal agency, and does not need to be in English.
Unfortunately, some of our clinics do experience protest activity, but please be assured that our staff will help you enter the building safely (several of our locations welcome volunteer patient escorts who will offer to walk you form your car to the clinic entrance). Protesters are not allowed to block access to the clinic or interfere with your care; once you are in the clinic’s parking lot, they are prohibited from coming any closer to you. Again, our staff will ensure your safety and that you can access the clinic without incident.
After your abortion, contact us if you experience heavy bleeding (soaking two or more maxi pads in an hour), a fever of 100.4° or higher, or have severe pain that does not improve with pain relief medication. Whole Woman’s Health staff is available 24/7 to answer urgent medical questions.
Most people can return to normal activities the day after their abortion, depending on how they feel.
If you are feeling well, you may resume these activities as soon as you feel comfortable.
Emotional responses after an abortion vary widely from person to person. A 2020 study found that the most common emotional response after an abortion was relief; other emotions may include sadness, happiness, confusion, or a mix of feelings. All of these responses are normal, and there is no “should” in terms of how you’re feeling. If difficult emotions persist or interfere with daily life, please reach out to our EmpowerLine for support. We are here to help.
A urine pregnancy test—the kind you can take at home—usually comes back negative beginning about one month after your abortion. A blood pregnancy test may take six weeks to show a negative result. If it has been longer than six weeks and you are still testing positive for pregnancy, please call our EmpowerLine.
Your menstrual cycle usually resumes within four to eight weeks after an abortion. Your first period may be heavier than usual, and you may notice more clots than is typical for you—this is typical and is only temporary. If it has been more than eight weeks since your abortion and your period has not returned, please contact us.
