How long does an abortion take?
Medically reviewed Aug 2020 by Robin Watkins, CNM, WHNP-BC
How long an abortion takes depends on what type of abortion it is. With the abortion pill, you take two different medications. The first medication stops the pregnancy from continuing to develop, and the second medication starts the abortion process. You take the second one someplace safe and comfortable with easy access to a bathroom up to three days after taking the first medication. Once you take the second medication, the abortion usually starts within an hour and can take up to several hours to be complete. With the abortion procedure, the actual abortion typically only takes five to ten minutes.
Abortion is safe, common healthcare, and you deserve access to both care and clear, reliable information. Bedsider offers abortion-positive guides to medication abortion and procedural abortion, which cover what to expect, how to prepare, costs and insurance, and how to find verified providers through AbortionFinder.org, another Power to Decide program.
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