Q&A: Abortion / RU486

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ABORTION / RU486

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION:

How much does an abortion cost?

The fee for an abortion varies from one clinic to another, and depends on any insurance coverage the patient has and whether the clinic accepts insurance. Many clinics also participate in private funds which can provide assistance on a case-by-case basis to women who have a financial hardship.

In Maine, the full fee for an abortion with no insurance or assistance is $415-$425. It needs to be understood that no federal or state funds go toward abortion services - by law - and all of these services are able to be provided because of the fees that are charged and any donations or other private assistance that the clinic receives.

ABORTION QUESTIONS:

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RU486 affect pregnancy?

I am 32 years old and in July 2005 I took RU486. I was 7 weeks along in my pregnancy. Now it's November and I am 4-5 weeks pregnant. I am very concerned with getting pregnant so soon after RU486. I worry about having a healthy pregnancy as well as a baby. Do I have anything to worry about? I have full intentions now to keep this child.

There is no research or studies that suggest that your pregnancy now is at risk because of the use of RU486 Mifeprex. Good luck.

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How much is a abortion?

The fee for an abortion varies from one clinic to another, and depends on any insurance coverage the patient has and whether the clinic accepts insurance. Many clinics also participate in private funds which can provide assistance on a case-by-case basis to women who have a financial hardship.

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RU-486 pill

My last period was about 8 weeks ago. Can I still have the abortion procedure done using the RU486 pill?

RU-486 can be used up to 9 weeks from the last period. Please call your local family planning center for more information and visit some of our links on our Abortion Services page.

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Pregnant again?

I had an abortion on April 27. I visited with my doctor after 3 weeks and he said everything was fine. I had intercourse on May 11 without protection. It is now May 23 and I have some light cramping plus spotting. I took a home pregnancy test and it came back positive. I'm now worried because I don't know if the test was positive because the HCG hormone was still present or because I'm pregnant again. How long should I wait to take another test?

First, always know emergency contraception (Plan B) is available for situations like you describe on May 11th. Second, your positive pregnancy test is still from the hormones of the pregnancy terminated on April 27th. These hormones are declining but it may take up to 6 or 8 weeks before a pregnancy test would be negative. If you do not get your period in four to six weeks after the abortion then see your provider. It is going to be difficult to use a pregnancy test alone to figure out if you are pregnant again. Read the answer right below this one for more information.

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Unprotected sex after abortion

I had an abortion on Nov 5th, a week later on the 12th I had unprotected sex and my boyfriend finished inside of me. I took the morning after pill the next day. Could I be pregnant? What are my chances of ovulating or being fertile right after an abortion? On the 10th I thought I got my period because I bled that day, but very very little on the next 2 days. I'm concerned, please help, I cannot go through this again.

We instruct patients not to have intercourse for at least 2-3 weeks after an abortion, and to have a reliable birth control method in place when they do resume intercourse, as it is possible to get pregnant immediately after an abortion, even before the next period. Unless you are on a hormone method of birth control (pill, patch, shot) you will ovulate before you have a period.

The bleeding you had on the 10th was not a period, it was the normal bleeding that happens anywhere from two days to two weeks after the abortion. Taking Plan B certainly reduces the chance of pregnancy from unprotected sex, but does not work 100% of the time. We tell our patients to contact us if they have not had a normal period by 6 weeks after their abortion.

I would NOT recommend doing a home pregnancy test (or any urine pregnancy test) as it can read positive for 4-8 weeks after an abortion. Be sure to make the necessary arrangements for the post-abortion check-up recommended by the abortion provider who cared for you. They are also a good resource for any questions or concerns you have during this time after your abortion.

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MaineCare?

Does MaineCare pay for any or all of a abortion for someone who is 28 and has children but has severe depression and was told to absolutely not have any more children?

MaineCare will pay for abortions in cases of rape/incest or if the health of the mother is significantly harmed by the pregnancy. The women's health care provider needs to write a letter to MaineCare stating the women's health condition. MaineCare then reviews the reasons and then decides whether or not to pay for an abortion procedure. MaineCare is generally very good about responding quickly to these requests. Have her health care provider call MaineCare to get them involved.

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Medicaid and abortion

How come Medicaid doesn't pay for an abortion if you want one? Would Medicaid pay for an abortion if it's medically needed?

As you may know, Medicaid is a state/federal program. The decision to pay for abortions is determined by the each state and must be paid with state money only. Since we are based in Maine, I can only tell you about this state's laws: Maine Medicaid pays for an abortion if the pregnancy is the result of sexual assault or incest, or the women has a life threatening condition. The Maine Legislature would determine if Maine would cover abortion care beyond the conditions I mentioned above.

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Second trimester

Are abortions performed after 12 weeks? If they are, what procedure is used? Where can one find a provider who does late term (2nd trimester) abortions in or near Bangor, Maine?

Yes, abortion are performed after 12 weeks. There is no one in the Bangor, Maine area providing services after 12 weeks; second trimester abortions are available in the Boston area. Please check your yellow pages or call your local family planning clinic for the contact information.

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Would my doc know?

I had an abortion over a year ago. I want to get tested for STD's and such even though I have not been sexually active for over a year. I'm not sure if my doc will know if I have had an abortion. My doctor is my mom's boss so my mom will know that I have had an abortion and I choose to keep that private until a future date. So my question is will my doc know that I had an abortion if I go there to get a check up?

No, your physician will not be able to tell. No part of the physical exam or pelvic exam will tell the doctor you have had an abortion. H/She will only know if you tell them. Also, you can get your general and gynecological checkup at your doctor, but get tested for STD's at your local family planning clinic, which is confidential and charges based on how much money you make (or don't make).

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Parental consent

Do you need your parents consent for an abortion?

It depends on where you live - the laws vary from state to state. Maine does not require parental consent or notification. You would need to contact your local family planning center in your state to find out if this is the case for you.

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Depo shot after abortion

My 18 year old daughter just had an abortion (she was 8 wks gestation) and she had this procedure with my full support. At the same time she was given a Depo-Provera shot. She was using the Ortho-Evera patch but had been on antibiotics for 8 weeks, and we feel that contributed to the pregnancy. She had the procedure and shot on 4/10/04. Is she now protected from pregnancy? I feel she is engaging in risky sexual behavior, however she denies this. She also denies alcohol and drug abuse and I believe her on this. I guess my question is, is she protected from pregnancy this soon after the abortion and getting the Depo-Provera shot?

Yes, your daughter is protected from the time she received the injection. The best thing you can do is keep the lines of communication open with her and let her know you are there if she needs her mother. Additionally, the counselors and outreach staff at family planning are a good source of information on healthy sexuality. Good luck.

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RU 486 pill

Hey I'm 15 and I was wondering about the RU486 pill. I don't want my parents to know that I had sex and I'm late for my period. I heard that your parents don't have to be involved if you choose to have an abortion. I'm a military child and my insurance is covered. Would my medical insurance cover the pill cost?

First, find out if you are pregnant. Medical abortions are covered by most insurance plans. But if the plan is under one of your parents s/he will be notified that the insurance was used.

Don't panic; first things first...call your local family planning office for an appointment. If you have had sex, you also need to take care of your body and have an exam. If you continue to have sex, you should go on birth control. If this experience has caused you a lot of anxiety, you may want to rethink whether you are ready for the responsibility of a sexual relationship. The counselors and nurse practitioners at family planning can talk with you about all of this in a kind, open, non-judgmental way. Please call today.

If at all possible, you should also consider talking to one or both of your parents. They may surprise you at how understanding they may be. Take care of yourself!

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Whose choice?

If I am 15 years old, and pregnant, is it my choice if I wanted, or didn't want, to get an abortion or would it be up to my parent? Or if I didn't want to give my baby up for adoption, could my parent make the choice for me? Is it my choice or theirs?

The choice is yours. Parents cannot force their daughters to continue or abort a pregnancy. Please call your local family planning clinic for more information. Also, if you are in Maine, go to our Abortion Services page for more information about Maine-based services. Good luck.

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Abortion

I am 17 years old and I am pregnant. I haven't been with my boyfriend very long, neither of us can support a child and my family doesn't have the money either. I am planning to have an abortion, but I was wondering if Medicaid would pay for the procedure.

Medicaid does not pay for the abortion procedure. However, some clinics offer a reduction in cost for patients who have Medicaid. These policies vary from one facility to another, so it's a good idea to ask about it when you are setting up your appointment. You should also talk to your boyfriend about how much he is able to help financially. Take care.

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Getting pregnant after an abortion

I was just wondering is there a greater risk of getting pregnant right after having an abortion? Or is it just the same?

There is no greater risk than normal. Women will ovulate within the first month after an abortion. If you are having sex and do not wish to become pregnant, please make sure you are using a reliable form of birth control.

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Surgical Abortion

I know that I am pregnant and have decided to terminate the pregnancy and would like to opt for the surgical abortion. How many visits do I need to make to the clinic and how soon will I be able to make an appointment? Including and pre and post abortion visits?

Surgical abortion is one visit. Follow-up can be done with a local provider in approximately 2-3 weeks post-abortion. Many clinics can fit you win with one weeks' notice. Although a pre-abortion visit is rarely needed, there are some things you need to do before you can have an abortion. Call your local clinic, or in Augusta, Maine, call 207-626-3243 for more information.

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2nd Abortion?

I had a baby 3 years ago. Three months after he was born I got pregnant again and had an abortion. I am going to be 20 in a week and I am pregnant again. I know I cannot handle another child right now. Is it a bad idea to have a second abortion? What are the side effects of a second one? Also what are the different forms of abortion and how far along can you be for each of them. Will family planning do a second one?

There are no data that suggest that more than one abortion is harmful to the women's health or future child bearing. Family Planning can and will see patients for a second abortion. Your situation is not uncommon and we see many women who face similar situations.

For information and links about medical abortion, please go here.

Please visit your local family planning office as soon as possible. Once this situation is resolved, PLEASE put yourself on a reliable form of birth control if you do not wish to have more children. Take care and good luck.

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Rights as a father?

My girlfriend just found out she's pregnant. She wants to have an abortion and I don't want her to. What can I do? Do I have any rights as the child's father to stop her?

You can't legally stop your girlfriend from selecting any option whether it is abortion or continuing the pregnancy. Perhaps you should consider seeking some counseling together to help you both discuss this difficult situation.

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Are abortions free?

Are abortions free in the state of Maine? Do I have to have a parent with me to get one?

Abortions are not free in Maine or any other state. Many health care insurances pay for abortions. Although we encourage you to talk to your parents if possible, parental involvement is not required in Maine, but minors in Maine are required to have an adult involved in their decision about an abortion.(Policies on this may vary from one facility to another, however. The State defines many people who qualify: doctors, nurses, school counselors, and others.

Please call your local family planning office for more information.

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How late can I have an abortion?

When can abortion happen in the pregnancy? What months? Do I need parental consent if I'm 15? Is it really expensive? Can I get any financial help??

Abortion is most safe when it occurs earlier in the pregnancy. Most terminations of pregnancy happen in the first trimester or first three months of pregnancy. It is important to know that a pregnancy is dated from the first day of your last menstrual period, and most providers will will do abortions up to twelve weeks. There are some providers who do abortions a bit further into the pregnancy.

The cost of abortion services varies, but is about $400 for an early (up to 12 weeks) abortion. Some providers have may be able to "slide" the fee to a slightly lower rate. You will need to contact the provider to confirm fees. The National Abortion Federation Consumer Hotline (which is in the front of the phone book under Community Service Numbers -- 1-800-772-9100) can link you with providers in your area. If you are in central Maine, the Institute for Reproductive Health in Augusta provides termination of pregnancy up to twelve weeks and can be reached at 207-626-3243.

Each state has different laws governing parental consent. Here in Maine, when a woman under 18 wants an abortion she needs to consult with an adult by state requirement (Adult Involvement law). This does not have to be her parent, and can be a friend, relative, social worker, nurse, or doctor. Most abortion providers are very careful to help a young woman find good support for herself and maintain her confidentiality or privacy.

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Abortion clinics in Maine?

Where are abortion clinics in the central and Bangor Maine area? And about how much should I be charged? I'm afraid I won't be able to afford one, but I have no other choice. Is there any way I can do the abortion myself? I'm desperate. And scared.

There is absolutely no safe way to terminate a pregnancy on your own! Trying to do so could result in serious complications, including death. Please call one of the below numbers as soon as possible. Concerned people will talk with you and explain your options.

In Bangor, for abortion services, you can call the Mabel Wadsworth Women's Health Center at (207) 947-5337. In Augusta, for abortion services, you can call (207) 626-3243. Additionally, the Augusta Family Planning center is open each week day, plus in the evenings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If you call them and ask to speak to someone, specifying that you need counseling information in regard to abortions, they will talk to you. Their number is (207) 626-3426.

Many clinics are flexible on the cost, depending upon your situation. You need to talk with someone to find this out.

Please take action immediately! The sooner you call, the better you will feel because you have taken steps to help yourself deal with a very difficult situation.

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