How to Find and Choose a Safe Abortion Clinic or Provider
Step 1 is finding a clinic or provider that is pre-screened, safe, legit, and right for you. Rest assured the vast majority of clinics are safe and clean, and will provide high-quality medical care. WRRAP works with over 700 health clinics and providers as part of our network for patient funding.
Where to Find Trusted Abortion Providers
You can find a clinic or abortion provider by going to any of these websites:
- ineedana.com
- National Abortion Federation
- Planned Parenthood (look for clinics that list “Abortion Services”)
- GynPages
- Abortion Clinic Pages
- Abortion Care Network
You can also call 1-877-257-0012 or 1-800-230-PLAN (7526) for information about some of these clinics.
Understanding Clinic Services and Variations
Every clinic is different. Things like cost, anesthesia, and available services will be different at different clinics. It’s a good idea to call different clinics and get an idea of what your options are. Be advised that you may need to travel out of state to an abortion clinic, especially if you are looking for an abortion after 13 weeks of pregnancy.
The following table summarizes factors that vary by provider:
| Service Factor | Description and Limits |
|---|---|
| Pregnancy Duration | Some may only provide abortions up to 11 or 12 weeks; others can provide abortions up to 18, 24, or 26 weeks. |
| Fees and Costs | Fees include different charges such as medications, lab work, and follow-up visits. |
| Anesthesia | Types of anesthesia offered and who administers it will vary. |
Tips on How to Choose a Good Provider
Don’t trust ads in the phone book or on the internet. Big or expensive ads don’t necessarily mean that the clinic is a good one – or even that it’s a real clinic at all. Before clicking on advertisements, use the links above to see if there are clinics in your community.
When researching providers, consider these essential steps:
- Get a referral: Get a referral from someone you trust, if possible. You can also call a local hospital or doctor’s office and ask them to give a referral to a clinic they trust.
- Call the clinic: Ask if they provide abortions. If they say no or avoid the question, it might not really be an abortion clinic. Ask whether they have doctors or nurses on staff.
- Ask about their services: What do they offer? Can your friend or parent come with you? How many visits are required? What do they do in case of an emergency?
- Inquire about fees: Ask what charges are included in the fee. Do they take insurance or Medicaid? If they can’t take Medicaid, will they give you a discount?
Trust your instincts. Your safety and health are the most important things to consider. If there’s anything about a clinic that makes you feel uncomfortable, ask them about it.
Protect Yourself from Crisis Pregnancy Centers
There are some places out there that call themselves “clinics” but don’t actually perform abortions. These “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” are often listed in phone books under Abortion or Abortion Alternatives. They also show up when you do Internet searches for “abortion.”
To protect yourself, you should know that these places are anti-abortion and they will try to convince you not to have an abortion, often by giving you false, medically inaccurate information about the risks or costs of abortion. They often will offer you free pregnancy tests or free ultrasounds, but the people who perform these services are not doctors. Avoid centers that refuse to give a straightforward answer about their services.