3 Things to Know Before Getting an Abortion in Another State

If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering traveling outside of Florida to get an abortion, there are essential steps to take to protect your health.

Read on to learn the top three things to know before getting an abortion in another state. Or, if you want to talk with a nurse about your options, schedule your free, confidential appointment. 

1. Abortion Risks

Before traveling out of state to get an abortion, it’s essential to understand how an abortion might impact your physical health.

For medical abortion (also known as the “abortion pill”), the risks include:

• Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
• An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive system discomfort

For surgical abortion, the risks include:

• Uterine perforation (which is when a surgical instrument pokes a hole in your uterus)
• Uterine scarring (which can cause painful periods and future infertility)
• Cervical damage
• Infection

When traveling out of state to get an abortion, any physical risk you experience will occur away from home, so you will want to ensure you know how to access emergency services in that state.

2. Your Pregnancy Details

Before seeking an abortion, it’s critical to know the following details about your pregnancy:

• Gestational age. Your pregnancy’s gestational age will determine your eligibility for certain abortion options. For example, the abortion drugs involved in a medical abortion are only FDA-approved if your pregnancy is ten weeks gestation or younger.
• Location. Sometimes, a pregnancy will grow outside the uterus. This is a life-threatening condition known as ectopic pregnancy, and you will need emergency treatment.
• Viability. Roughly 26% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and it’s possible to experience a miscarriage without immediate signs. If you’ve had a miscarriage, you will need follow-up care to prevent complications.

Ultrasound is the only reliable way to determine these details. At First Coast Women’s Services, we offer free, limited ultrasounds to give you the information you need to make an informed choice moving forward.

3. All Your Options

Before seeking an abortion, it’s essential to learn all you can about each of your pregnancy options. Besides abortion, your other options include parenting and adoption. 

Have you had all your questions about each of these options answered? Some questions to consider include:

• Do I understand the physical and mental health risks of abortion?
• How might I feel emotionally if I choose abortion?
• What might my life look like if I choose parenting or adoption? 
• Do I have resources available to help me if I choose parenting or adoption? If not, where can I find them?

You’re Not Alone

Thinking through your pregnancy options can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone in this. At First Coast Women’s Services, we offer free pregnancy services, resources, and referrals to help you make an informed, empowered decision about how to move forward. 

Before you seek an abortion out of state, request a free consultation with one of our nurses—telehealth appointments are available.