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. We know it can be really tough to find a clinic or an abortion provider that you know you can trust, but rest assured the vast majority of clinics are safe and clean, and will provide high-quality medical care.
Where to Find a Clinic or Abortion Provider
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. WRRAP works with over 700 health clinics and providers as part of our network for patient funding.
Understanding Clinic Differences and Services
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 | Details and Variations |
|---|---|
| Gestational Limits | Some provide abortions up to 11 or 12 weeks; others up to 18, 24, or 26 weeks. |
| Anesthesia | Types of anesthesia offered and who administers it varies by location. |
| Fees and Coverage | Includes medications, lab work, follow-ups, and potential Medicaid discounts. |
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.
Get a referral from someone you trust, if possible. If no one in your life has shared their abortion with you, you can also call a local hospital or doctor’s office and ask them to give a referral to a clinic they trust.
The Right Questions to Ask
Call the clinic on the phone and ask if they provide abortions. If they say no or avoid the question, it might not really be an abortion clinic. Avoid centers that refuse to give a straightforward answer. Ask whether they have doctors or nurses on staff and what training the doctors have received. If their answers seem suspicious, trust your gut and feel free to end the conversation.
Additionally, you should ask about their services:
- What do they offer?
- Can your friend or parent come with you?
- How many visits are required?
- What is the procedure like?
- What do they do in case of an emergency?
Evaluating Fees and Costs
Ask about their fees. Do the fees sound “too good to be true”? If they do, they probably are. Ask what charges are included in the fee. Are all medications included? Is all lab work included? Is a follow-up included? Is a method of birth control included? Do they take insurance or Medicaid?
Warning: Beware of 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.”
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. To protect yourself, you should always verify the credentials of the staff.