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Amanda Foster — Reviewed writer, former magazine editor

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How to Handle Decide Whether or Not to Get an Abortion Step by Step

When decide whether or not to get an abortion leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.

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Part 1

Doing Your Research

See your doctor.

If you suspect you are pregnant or have confirmed it with a test, schedule an appointment with your doctor or OB/GYN. They can advise you about your options: abortion, adoption, or keeping the baby.

If you suspect you are pregnant or have confirmed it with a test, schedule an appointment with your doctor or OB/GYN.
They can advise you about your options: abortion, adoption, or keeping the baby.
If you suspect you are pregnant or have confirmed it with a test, schedule an appointment with your doctor or OB/GYN.
They can advise you about your options: abortion, adoption, or keeping the baby.
If you suspect you are pregnant or have confirmed it with a test, schedule an appointment with your doctor or OB/GYN.

Understand your privacy rights.

If you are an adult, you do not need to tell anyone about your decision to have an abortion. You may, however, wish to tell a trustworthy friend or family member so that they can help support you during the procedure.

If you are an adult, you do not need to tell anyone about your decision to have an abortion.
You may, however, wish to tell a trustworthy friend or family member so that they can help support you during the procedure.
If you are an adult, you do not need to tell anyone about your decision to have an abortion.
You may, however, wish to tell a trustworthy friend or family member so that they can help support you during the procedure.
If you are an adult, you do not need to tell anyone about your decision to have an abortion.

Clarify information about abortion complications.

Because abortion is a controversial procedure, there is a lot of misinformation floating around about abortion and its effects. Do your research. Talk to your doctor. Look for information from government publications or reputable news sources.

Because abortion is a controversial procedure, there is a lot of misinformation floating around about abortion and its effects.
Do your research.
Talk to your doctor.
Look for information from government publications or reputable news sources.
Because abortion is a controversial procedure, there is a lot of misinformation floating around about abortion and its effects.

Determine if you are eligible for a medical abortion.

Medical, or non-surgical abortions, can be done up to ten weeks (70 days) from the first day of the woman’s last period. Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam, usually including an ultrasound, and then prescribe mifepristone (or sometimes methotrexate) and misoprostol.

Medical, or non-surgical abortions, can be done up to ten weeks (70 days) from the first day of the woman’s last period.
Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam, usually including an ultrasound, and then prescribe mifepristone (or sometimes methotrexate) and misoprostol.
Medical, or non-surgical abortions, can be done up to ten weeks (70 days) from the first day of the woman’s last period.
Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam, usually including an ultrasound, and then prescribe mifepristone (or sometimes methotrexate) and misoprostol.
Medical, or non-surgical abortions, can be done up to ten weeks (70 days) from the first day of the woman’s last period.

Research a surgical abortion.

A surgical abortion, also known as suction aspiration abortion, can be performed if you are under 14-16 weeks pregnant (this may vary by provider). The procedure involves dilating the cervix and inserting a small suction tube into the uterus to remove the pregnancy tissue.

A surgical abortion, also known as suction aspiration abortion, can be performed if you are under 14-16 weeks pregnant (this may vary by provider).
The procedure involves dilating the cervix and inserting a small suction tube into the uterus to remove the pregnancy tissue.
A surgical abortion, also known as suction aspiration abortion, can be performed if you are under 14-16 weeks pregnant (this may vary by provider).
The procedure involves dilating the cervix and inserting a small suction tube into the uterus to remove the pregnancy tissue.
A surgical abortion, also known as suction aspiration abortion, can be performed if you are under 14-16 weeks pregnant (this may vary by provider).

Part 2

Considering Your Values and Emotions

Examine your current situation.

As you consider what to do about your pregnancy, think about what is currently going on in your life and consider how a pregnancy or baby would impact it. You may want to spend some time thinking through some issues on your own.

As you consider what to do about your pregnancy, think about what is currently going on in your life and consider how a pregnancy or baby would impact it.
You may want to spend some time thinking through some issues on your own.
As you consider what to do about your pregnancy, think about what is currently going on in your life and consider how a pregnancy or baby would impact it.
You may want to spend some time thinking through some issues on your own.
As you consider what to do about your pregnancy, think about what is currently going on in your life and consider how a pregnancy or baby would impact it.

Discuss your feelings with others.

Talk to your partner, loved ones, or friends who you know won’t judge or influence your decision. Many women feel alone when dealing with an unwanted pregnancy. Talking to trustworthy members of your support network may help you feel less isolated.

Talk to your partner, loved ones, or friends who you know won’t judge or influence your decision.
Many women feel alone when dealing with an unwanted pregnancy.
Talking to trustworthy members of your support network may help you feel less isolated.
Talk to your partner, loved ones, or friends who you know won’t judge or influence your decision.
Many women feel alone when dealing with an unwanted pregnancy.

Talk to a counselor.

Your doctor, family planning clinic, or community health agency may know of counseling services that can help you decide what to do. Make sure the resources they give you are unbiased, nonjudgmental counseling services that do not attempt to push the woman toward one option or another.

Your doctor, family planning clinic, or community health agency may know of counseling services that can help you decide what to do.
Make sure the resources they give you are unbiased, nonjudgmental counseling services that do not attempt to push the woman toward one option or another.
Your doctor, family planning clinic, or community health agency may know of counseling services that can help you decide what to do.
Make sure the resources they give you are unbiased, nonjudgmental counseling services that do not attempt to push the woman toward one option or another.
Your doctor, family planning clinic, or community health agency may know of counseling services that can help you decide what to do.

Part 3

Reaching a Decision

Make a timely decision.

If you are considering abortion, you do need to make a decision as quickly as possible. While you want to be certain of your decision, also understand that the earlier in the pregnancy you decide to terminate it, the easier your procedure will likely be. You will also have more options available.

If you are considering abortion, you do need to make a decision as quickly as possible.
While you want to be certain of your decision, also understand that the earlier in the pregnancy you decide to terminate it, the easier your procedure will likely be.
You will also have more options available.
If you are considering abortion, you do need to make a decision as quickly as possible.
While you want to be certain of your decision, also understand that the earlier in the pregnancy you decide to terminate it, the easier your procedure will likely be.

Make a list.

If you are still unsure of what to do, you may wish to write a list of the pros and cons of terminating your pregnancy. Seeing your thoughts and feelings on paper may help you reach a decision more easily.

If you are still unsure of what to do, you may wish to write a list of the pros and cons of terminating your pregnancy.
Seeing your thoughts and feelings on paper may help you reach a decision more easily.
If you are still unsure of what to do, you may wish to write a list of the pros and cons of terminating your pregnancy.
Seeing your thoughts and feelings on paper may help you reach a decision more easily.
If you are still unsure of what to do, you may wish to write a list of the pros and cons of terminating your pregnancy.

Take the next steps.

Once you have made your decision, take your next steps quickly. If you are choosing to continue with the pregnancy, you will still want to follow up for prenatal care as soon as possible. If you decide to have an abortion, schedule it as soon as you can.

Once you have made your decision, take your next steps quickly.
If you are choosing to continue with the pregnancy, you will still want to follow up for prenatal care as soon as possible.
If you decide to have an abortion, schedule it as soon as you can.
Once you have made your decision, take your next steps quickly.
If you are choosing to continue with the pregnancy, you will still want to follow up for prenatal care as soon as possible.

Determine your future birth control needs.

Consider discussing your future birth control needs with your provider or at your family planning clinic at your next appointment. Research options online and speak to your doctor about options that may work best for you.

Consider discussing your future birth control needs with your provider or at your family planning clinic at your next appointment.
Research options online and speak to your doctor about options that may work best for you.
Consider discussing your future birth control needs with your provider or at your family planning clinic at your next appointment.
Research options online and speak to your doctor about options that may work best for you.
Consider discussing your future birth control needs with your provider or at your family planning clinic at your next appointment.

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