Abortion Costs & Procedures
What Are The Types of Abortion?
As you are considering abortion for your unexpected pregnancy, you may have questions.
Here you can learn about some of the most common abortion options. This information is provided for general educational purposes only. This is not to diagnose, treat, or recommend any particular services. The following information is a generalized overview. Please speak with a medical professional about your unique situation.
Our clinic can offer you a full medical verification of pregnancy at no cost. No insurance needed. No verification of income needed. Our pregnancy verification services are completely free. You can talk with a nurse, determine how many weeks you are and discuss all of your questions. Please note, we do not provide abortion pills or abortion services.
Our services are for the sole purposes of providing you with a medical verification of a pregnancy. This will give you the personalized information you need about your situation so you can make your next decision.
The abortion pill is actually 2 pills taken to terminate an embryo up to 10 weeks gestation. Gestation is referring to how far along you are in your pregnancy. This is why it is so important to know your accurate gestational age. The abortion pill is considered a medical abortion although it is not surgical. The abortion pill must be properly prescribed and includes a three-step process.
- The first pill is called Mifepristone. This medication stops a woman’s womb from being able to absorb progesterone, which the pregnancy and embryo need to survive. This blocking of progesterone causes the uterine lining that’s been built up for the pregnancy to begin breaking down. Then, the life of the growing embryo is ended.1
- Secondly, take Misoprostol. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract causing the embryo, lining of the uterus, and the embryonic sac to exit the uterus. This process usually takes 24-48 hours and causes extreme bleeding and strong cramping.2
- You will need to return to make sure the pregnancy is terminated because its not 100% effective
Medication abortion, also called the abortion pill, can be taken up to 10 weeks pregnant. The typical cost for the pill in Texas is $500-$675 but could be higher depending on the provider.
Manual Vacuum Aspiration: up to 7 weeks after last menstrual period
This is surgical abortion is done early in the pregnancy until 7 weeks after the woman’s last menstrual period. A long, thin tube is inserted into the uterus. A large syringe is attached to the tube and the fetus is suctioned out.3
Suction Curettage: within 6 to 14 weeks after last menstrual period
This is the most common surgical abortion procedure. The day of the procedure, the cervix may need further stretching by metal dilating rods given the size of the baby. Local or general anesthesia is typically needed due to the pain involved with the dilation. The doctor then inserts a hard plastic tube into the uterus, and connects it to a suction machine. The suction pulls the fetus’ body apart and out of the uterus. The doctor may also use a curette (a loop-shaped knife) to scrape the fetus and fetal parts out of the uterus.
Suction termination, or vacuum aspiration abortion, is performed between 5 to 12 weeks of pregnancy. The typical cost in Texas ranges from $500-$675.4
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E): between 13 to 24 weeks after last menstrual period
This surgical abortion is done during the second trimester of pregnancy. At this point in pregnancy, the fetus is too large to be broken up by suction alone and will not pass through the suction tubing. As a result, the cervix must be opened wider than in a first trimester abortion. Once the cervix is stretched open the doctor pulls out the fetal parts with forceps. The fetus’ skull is crushed to ease removal. A curette is used to remove any remaining tissue.
Dilation and Extraction (D&X) (partial-birth abortion): from 20 weeks after last menstrual period to full-term
This procedure takes three days. During the first two days, the cervix is stretched open and medication is given for pain. On the third day, the abortion doctor uses ultrasound to locate the legs of the fetus. Grasping a leg with forceps, the doctor delivers the fetus up to the head. Next, scissors are inserted into the base of the skull to create an opening. A suction catheter is placed into the opening to remove the brain. The skull collapses and the fetus is removed. This procedure usually requires a general anesthesia (you would be completely asleep).
D&E abortion (dilation and evacuation procedure) is performed between 9-20 weeks of pregnancy. The typical cost for D&E abortion in Texas is between $825-$2,500 or more.5
Start with personalized information about your unique situation
You deserve a personalized assessment of your unique situation. We have been are a trusted source for women in Austin, Texas for years. Schedule your appointment to have a lab-quality pregnancy test first. If that test is positive, you will be provided with a free ultrasound. The ultrasound is for the purposes of confirming a viable pregnancy and an estimate on how many weeks you are. If you are considering abortion in Austin, schedule your appointment today!