Dear Curious Student,
Medically speaking, there are many different ways an abortion might be done. This depends on the medical conditions (for example, how many weeks someone is pregnant or if they have a complicating condition), legal environment, insurance/financial concerns, clinic or medical provider, and what the person desiring an abortion wants, among other things.
The two most common ways an abortion is done in the U.S. are called “medication abortion,” and “aspiration abortion.” In a medication abortion, pills are given that end the pregnancy and cause cramping and bleeding similar to a miscarriage. This process can take from a few hours to a few days, is comparable for most people to a typical or even heavy period, and is most suitable for pregnancies less than 10 weeks. In an aspiration abortion, a medical provider temporarily opens the cervix (the entrance to the uterus, located at the top of the vagina) using tools or medication, inserts a small straw-like tube into the uterus, and then uses suction to remove the pregnancy. This process takes about five minutes, can cause strong but brief cramps, and can be done for pregnancies up to around 13 weeks.
Managing physical pain and the wide variety of emotions that may accompany this process are things that can be tailored to individual circumstances. There are many resources available to people seeking abortions.
More information (two comics at the end for visual learners!):
Find an abortion clinic or provider:
Talklines to process feelings around abortion:
Personal stories of abortion:
Self-care and map of abortion doula groups in the US:
With love,
ReproRants
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