Facing an unplanned pregnancy can be scary. It is important to remember that you are not alone and that there are so many support resources for abortion out there to help you make the right decision for your future, help you execute your choices and needs, and help you financially and emotionally throughout the process.
It is perfectly normal to decide that abortion is the right decision for you and your future. If having an abortion is the decision you are making for your pregnancy, this article will help you find resources to support you throughout the process, as well as remind you that you are not the only person going through this.
Informational Support Resources for Abortion
AbortionFinder.org is an extremely comprehensive directory of trusted and verified abortion service providers and assistance resources in the United States. The website provides information and resources for everything from finding a provider to finding funding and support groups in your area.
On their site, learn about the differences between taking the abortion pill versus having the abortion procedure. Furthermore, the site includes support resources for financial, travel, and logistical support, medical support and guidance, emotional support, legal support, and informational resources. There are many call or text helplines to answer any questions, help you through the process, and make you feel less alone.
State-by-State Guide
AbortionFinder.org also provides an updated, detailed state-by-state guide that lists which states have a total ban on abortion, which states have enforced a law that restricts abortion, and which states still allow abortion. Each state has detailed information about its laws and processes for getting an abortion and resources.
Ever since Roe v Wade was overturned in the Supreme Court, there is no federal protection for abortion access, so it is up to each State individually to decide if abortion is legal. The current abortion law overview is that:
🚫12 states completely banned abortion
📅28 states have banned abortion after a specified point in pregnancy
💬12 states require that you wait a specified period of time before getting an abortion
👪24 states require parental consent for a minor to get an abortion
You are not alone
Stats on abortion
According to the Pew Research Center, over 600,000 women get abortions each year.
In addition, research done by the CDC was able to estimate that about 21% of pregnancies end in abortion each year.
Also, The Guttmacher Institute’s Abortion Patient Survey was able to estimate that 1 in every 4 women in the United States will get an abortion in their lifetime. A recent study done by Guttmacher has shown that despite the growing bans on abortion in the United States, there has been a 11% increase in adoptions from 2020 to 2024.
This statistic confirms that abortion is indeed a normal part of the reproductive lives of people with the capacity to become pregnant. It should be something that everyone has access to and should not be stigmatized in society. 1 in 4 women means that almost everyone, including people who are against abortion, know someone who has had an abortion.
Abortion Stories
Hearing from other women who have gone through unplanned pregnancies and abortions is important in helping people know what to expect. It also helps strengthen the fact that abortion is not uncommon and should not be stigmatized.
Resources like “Abortion Out Loud” and “We Testify” provide stories from hundreds of women who have had an abortion.
One woman who shared her story on “Abortion Out Loud” said,
“After my abortion, and after much time, there was a moment of relief and peace. I came to terms that I made the right decision. That moment of my shame being lifted off me was so liberating. Now I stand my ground. I’ll stand in the frontline and share my story in order to change the culture around abortion. I had an abortion.”
Sources
https://www.guttmacher.org/news-release/2024/one-four-us-women-expected-have-abortion-their-lifetime
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/03/25/what-the-data-says-about-abortion-in-the-us/
https://www.abortionfinder.org/
https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/abortion-out-loud/abortion-out-loud-abortion-storytelling/