Hello! I had a question about accessing the abortion pill during this time with COVID-19. Is it possible to access the pill during this time? If I or someone I know needed an abortion during this time, what should we do?
Abortion is still legal in all 50 states in the U.S., and it’s still possible to get a medication abortion (aka the abortion pill). You can usually get a medication abortion up to 11 weeks after the first day of your last period. But there may be fewer places to get an abortion during the COVID-19 pandemic because some doctors’ offices and health centers may be closed.
Depending on where you live, there may also be age restrictions or waiting periods to get an abortion. So if you’re considering abortion, talk to a nurse or doctor — like the ones at your closest Planned Parenthood health center — as soon as you can, in case it takes a while to get an appointment or you need to plan around other restrictions. This tool can help you find your closest abortion provider.
You may be able to get the abortion pill through telehealth — a phone or video visit with your nurse or doctor. Your nurse or doctor will give you all of the information you need to use the abortion pill at home during your telehealth appointment. Then you’ll go to your closest health center to pick up the medicines you’ll need for your abortion.
Abortion care is time-sensitive and essential, so nurses and doctors are doing the best they can to keep providing abortions. But this situation is changing every day as the COVID-19 pandemic develops. So the best thing to do is call your closest Planned Parenthood health center or other abortion provider for the most up-to-date information.
