Options Information
If you're considering an abortion, knowing how far along you are determines which methods are available to you. Below is a clear walk-through of the two main types and the medical considerations the Mayo Clinic and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) describe for each.
Medical abortion goes by several names: the abortion pill, medication abortion, RU486. It is a two-drug regimen used to end early pregnancies. In Massachusetts, medical abortion is available through 10 weeks of pregnancy. Mifepristone blocks progesterone (the hormone the pregnancy needs to grow). Misoprostol, taken 24 to 48 hours later, causes cramping and bleeding to expel the pregnancy.
Surgical abortion uses dilation and a suction technique to empty the uterus. In Massachusetts, surgical abortion is permitted through 24 weeks gestational age (later, in narrow medical circumstances). After roughly 10 weeks, surgical abortion is the available option.
According to the Mayo Clinic, possible considerations for medical abortion include: incomplete abortion that may require a follow-up procedure, an ongoing pregnancy if the medication does not work, heavy or prolonged bleeding, and digestive symptoms. Talk with your medical provider about your specific health history.
After any abortion, seek immediate medical care if you experience: blood clots larger than a lemon for more than two hours, bleeding heavy enough to soak through two pads per hour for two hours straight, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, pain or cramping that worsens after 48 hours, or pregnancy symptoms that persist after one week.
Before scheduling any abortion, knowing how far along you are is essential. It determines which methods are available and rules out an ectopic pregnancy. We offer free ultrasound referrals.
What to expect
Common questions
Yes. Massachusetts permits abortion through 24 weeks gestational age, and later in narrow medical circumstances. Specific clinic protocols vary.
Yes. New Hampshire permits abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. After 24 weeks, state law restricts abortion except when there is a serious risk to the life or health of the mother or a diagnosis of a fatal fetal anomaly.
A medical provider can confirm gestational age with an ultrasound. We offer free ultrasound referrals. Knowing how far along you are determines which abortion methods are available to you.
The abortion pill is a two-drug regimen used through 10 weeks of pregnancy. Surgical abortion uses dilation and suction and, in Massachusetts, is permitted through 24 weeks. After about 10 weeks, surgical is the available option.
No. We do not provide or refer for abortion services. We provide accurate information about all options, including abortion, so you can think it through.
A free conversation with a trained peer advocate lets you slow down, ask questions, and think through what fits your life and your values. There is no pressure and no judgment.
Yes. You can change your mind at any point. Most women we meet revisit their thinking more than once before they decide. Our role is to support you, not to push you in any direction.
Visit Us
Each of our centers offers the full set of free services. Choose whichever is closest or easiest to reach. Many of the people we serve travel to us from Southern New Hampshire as well.
107 Merrimack St., Haverhill, MA 01830
124 Ames Street, Lawrence, MA 01844
151 Warren Street, Suite 200, Lowell, MA 01852
Appointments are free and confidential. Use the form below to request a time at the location closest to you, and a team member will confirm. Or call directly for same-day availability.
