Abortion FAQs

What Is An Abortion?

Abortion is a medical procedure that ends a pregnancy.

There are two primary types, based on how far along the pregnancy is:

• Medication abortion: Uses two medications to end an early pregnancy.

• Surgical abortion: Involves procedures such as suction or dilation and evacuation to remove the pregnancy from the uterus.

How Does Abortion Occur?

Abortion ends a pregnancy through either medication or a surgical procedure.

• Medication abortion: Involves two pills. The first blocks progesterone, a hormone needed to sustain pregnancy, and the second causes the uterus to contract and empty. This method is typically used in the first 10 weeks.

• Surgical abortion: Requires opening the cervix and removing the pregnancy with suction or medical instruments. It is performed under local or general anesthesia depending on the method and stage of pregnancy.

Medical Abortion v. Surgical Abortion?

A medical abortion ends a pregnancy with prescribed medications, while a surgical abortion is performed through an in-clinic procedure.

• Medical abortion: Uses two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol, and is approved for use up to 10 weeks of pregnancy.

• Surgical abortion: Involves opening the cervix and removing the pregnancy with suction (vacuum aspiration) or instruments (dilation and evacuation).

Is Abortion Legal in Louisiana?

As of 2025 in Louisiana, almost all abortions are illegal for physicians to prescribe or perform. The only exceptions are when a doctor determines the pregnancy threatens the woman’s life or could cause serious risk to her health.

Does Abortion Hurt?

Abortion does cause pain, but the intensity varies based on the type of procedure, how far along the pregnancy is, and your individual pain threshold.

With a medication abortion, many women report severe cramping and heavy bleeding as the uterus expels the pregnancy, sometimes with nausea, diarrhea, or fever. In a surgical abortion, anesthesia prevents pain during the procedure, but women often experience significant cramping, bleeding, and soreness in the hours or days that follow.

How Long Do You Bleed After An Abortion?

Bleeding after an abortion usually lasts one to two weeks, though light spotting may continue for several weeks.

With a medication abortion, heavy bleeding and clots are common in the first few days, then taper off. Spotting can last up to six weeks. With a surgical abortion, most bleeding ends within about a week, but mild spotting may continue for another week or two.

Any concerns of heavy or abnormal bleeding should be reported to your doctor.

How Much Does an Abortion Cost?

The cost of an abortion depends on the procedure, how far along the pregnancy is, and whether insurance applies.

Some pay a smaller out-of-pocket fee, while others face higher costs if insurance doesn’t cover it or if the pregnancy is further along. In many states, first-trimester abortions range from $500 to $750, while later procedures can cost thousands.

In Louisiana, almost all abortions are banned as of 2025, so women seeking abortion must also factor in the added expenses of traveling out of state.

What's In the Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill process involves two medications: mifepristone and misoprostol.

Mifepristone blocks progesterone, the hormone that maintains the uterine lining, causing the pregnancy to detach. Misoprostol is taken 24–48 hours later to trigger contractions that expel the pregnancy.

The FDA approves this method only through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. It should be used with medical supervision and followed by a check-up to confirm completion and address cramping or bleeding.

How Soon After an Abortion Can You Get Pregnant?

Fertility may return as soon as two weeks after an abortion, though for some women it can take a few months, and, in very rare cases, never return.

Many ovulate before their first period, which often happens within four to six weeks, while others may not ovulate again for two to three months or more. Because cycles differ, pregnancy can occur almost immediately or take longer.

What Are the Risks of Abortion?

Every medical procedure has risks, which vary by the type of abortion, how far along the pregnancy is, and your overall health.

Medical abortion (pill, up to about 10 weeks):

• Common side effects: Heavy bleeding, cramping, nausea

• Possible risks: Incomplete abortion, excessive bleeding, infection, or untreated ectopic pregnancy

Surgical abortion (suction aspiration, dilation and evacuation):

• Common side effects: Cramping, light bleeding

• Possible risks: Rare complications like uterine perforation, infection, cervical injury, or scarring that may affect fertility

General considerations:

• Emotional responses differ; some feel relief while others experience sadness or regret

• Serious complications such as severe bleeding or infection are rare

• Fertility is usually not affected unless a rare complication occurs

It’s important to speak with a healthcare provider about your personal risks and to follow up after any abortion procedure.