What are my abortion options?
Abortion pills by mail options
These options are medically very safe and effective and are legal in your state.Current Ohio Abortion Laws
Abortion is legal in Ohio through 22 weeks.
Minors require parental consent to receive an abortion.
As of 8/23/2024, there is a temporary junction in place against the 24 hour waiting period and state-mandated counseling.
If you have more legal questions about getting or self managing an abortion, call the Repro Legal Defense Helpline at 844-868-2812
Frequently asked questions
How much do abortions cost?
In the US, the average cost of a first-trimester abortion (up to 12 weeks) averages between $500-600 in most of the country. The average cost of second-trimester abortion often goes up by week of pregnancy. It can vary from $500 to $12,000.
When calling a clinic, it may be helpful to ask what the price of an abortion is based on how long ago your last period was. If you need help paying for an abortion, let the clinic know. They may be able to offer help or connect you with a local abortion fund.
Currently, people who live in Ohio can earn up to $80 for completing three brief confidential, online surveys from research partners at Indiana University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Ibis Reproductive Health. Click here to see if you are eligible. If you have questions, email maps_obgyn@wisc.edu.
What’s an in-clinic abortion like?
An in-clinic abortion takes place in a clinic or hospital. They’re medically very safe and 99% effective. There’s a variety of names used for in-clinic abortions, as well as different types. Some names you might come across are surgical abortion, procedural abortion, dilation and evacuation (D&E), dilation and curettage (D&C), or vacuum aspiration. It can be a bit overwhelming keeping track of all of these! What’s important is they’re all very safe and effective.
With a first trimester in-clinic abortion (up to 12 weeks), your doctor will numb and dilate your cervix in order to insert a narrow flexible tube into your uterus. The tube will then remove the pregnancy tissue with suction. The suction portion takes about a minute and the entire procedure takes around 10 to 20 minutes.
If you need an abortion later in pregnancy (over 13 weeks), you’ll likely have what’s called a dilation and evacuation (D&E). It may take place over two consecutive days and require multiple visits to a provider. This procedure also involves suction to empty your uterus.
One thing to keep in mind is that in-clinic abortions later in pregnancy cost more with fewer providers to choose from. That’s why it’s helpful to contact a verified clinic as soon as you’re able to.
Some clinics offer pain and sedation medications to help you feel more comfortable before, during, and/or after the procedure. Be sure to ask the clinic before you arrive about your options.
If you can't afford an abortion, or the costs associated with travel, there are organizations ready to help..
To compare the differences between in-clinic abortions, abortions with pills via a clinic, and ordering pills online, check out our Types of Abortion Guide.
What happens with abortion pills?
Medication abortion is a way to terminate a pregnancy by using medications. It’s often called the ‘abortion pill' though it's technically two drugs: Mifepristone and Misoprostol.
Abortion pills are accessible both in an in-clinic setting and online. In the United States, medical professionals most often prescribe them to people less than 12 weeks pregnant, though abortion pills are safe and effective throughout pregnancy.
In a clinic setting, you will typically swallow a tablet of Mifepristone in the clinic. This pill is designed to stop the growth of the pregnancy and prepare your body to pass pregnancy tissue. Your provider will send you home with tablets of Misoprostol and instructions for the next step.
At home, you should expect to have cramping and bleeding. You may also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever and chills. For most people, the abortion will be complete within 24 hours. Most clinics will schedule a followup appointment to confirm the pregnancy has been terminated.
For more information on the abortion pill and ordering online, check out Plan C's website. For one person's account with ordering online, check out this Reddit post.
If you'd like peer support and info throughout the process of planning or having an abortion with pills at home, call or text Reprocare - open 7 days a week at 833-226-7821"
What are the restrictions in my state?
Abortion in Ohio is legal until 22 weeks since last menstrual period. Abortions after 22 weeks are banned unless the health of the pregnant person is at risk.
Ohio does have a pre-Roe ban on abortions after 6 weeks. However, this law is being challenged in court, and as of October 2022, it is on hold indefinitely while legal challenges proceed. We are monitoring this case and will update this site with any changes to abortion access in Ohio.
As of 8/23/2024, both the 24 hour waiting period and state-mandated counseling are not in effect. There is no waiting period in Ohio at this time.
There is an ultrasound requirement in this state. Minors under the age of 18 are required to obtain parental consent or a judicial bypass in order to access abortion.
One thing that isn't regulated: crisis pregnancy centers or fake clinics. In many states, there are more of these than actual abortion providers, and they will come up when you search Google or the phone book. All providers on ineedana.com have been verified as real providers.
If you have legal questions about getting an abortion, the Abortion Fund of Ohio has a legal hotline at 614.799.2843. You can call if you're confused about your reproductive rights, are a minor seeking judicial bypass, or are facing criminalization for reproductive health outcomes.
We work diligently to keep this site as updated as possible. If you find something that is out of date on this site, please fill out this form.
I need help. Who can I talk to?
We’ve tried to provide answers and clear information on what to expect in seeking abortion access on this site because, we get it, we know sometimes it can be hard to know what exactly to ask. However, speaking to a knowledgeable counselor can actually feel great.
These are two great options if you want to talk to someone:
On the Phone: ALL-OPTIONS talkline is a great resource to speak to someone about… all of your options. You can talk to them if you’re trying to decide what to do about a pregnancy, or if you’re feeling complicated emotions about a decision you’ve already made. They’re happy to talk about anything related to pregnancy, abortion, adoption, and parenting related. Their hotline is toll free and available Mon-Fri 10-1am, Sat-Sun 10-6pm EST
CALL 1-888-493-0092
On the internet: If you're still not ready to pick up the phone and struggling to make a decision, there's an incredible community on reddit at /r/abortion/, ready to help. You can sign up and create a "throwaway" account to message the group.
If you'd still like to do some personal research before talking to anyone, check out this Pregnancy Options Workbook from Cedar River Clinics.
Have a suggestion for another question we should include on the site? Let us know!
The most important thing to know: You're not alone.
People from all walks of life have abortions. These are some of their stories.