Medication abortion vs. abortion procedure: What’s the Difference?

Deciding what type of abortion to get depends on your personal preferences and health background. Both types of abortion are very safe and effective.

MEDICATION ABORTION
During a medication abortion (a.k.a. ‘abortion with pills’), a person takes two different medicines to end a pregnancy. In general, it can be used up to 11 weeks of pregnancy and takes around 24-48 hours to complete.

WHY CHOOSE THIS METHOD?
· You are more comfortable having an abortion at home or a place of your choosing
· You want to get pills by mail. (You can get them at a clinic too)!
· You can pick the day and time to start the process

ABORTION PROCEDURE
In an abortion procedure, a healthcare provider like a doctor or nurse does a procedure that gently removes the pregnancy from the uterus. The procedure itself takes about 5-10 minutes, but you’ll likely spend a few hours in the office from start to finish.

WHY CHOOSE THIS METHOD?
·You are more comfortable being in a medical facility during the whole process
·The procedure is quick. (Your total time in clinic will vary)
·It can be done after the first trimester of pregnancy (how late in your pregnancy you can get an abortion depends on your state and your healthcare provider)

If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, you may already know what you want to do. If you are not sure, talking with trusted people in your life can be helpful. Talking with a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider can also help All-Options has a talkline that offers judgment-free space to talk, support, resources, and referrals. If you’d like to find an abortion provider, you can check out Abortion Finder to find verified telehealth and in-person abortion providers near you.