Does planned parenthood tell you how far along you are

Abortion is extremely effective. In-clinic abortions work more than 99 out of 100 times. Needing to get another procedure because the abortion didn’t work is really rare.  

Abortion pills are also very effective at ending early pregnancies — you can use abortion pills for up to 77 days (11 weeks) after the first day of your last period. They work 87-99 out of 100 times, depending on how far along your pregnancy is and how much medicine you take. Abortion pills usually work, but if they don’t you may need to take more medicine or have an in-clinic abortion to complete the abortion.

If you get your abortion pills from a health care provider like Planned Parenthood, they may give you a special, extra-sensitive pregnancy test to use later to make sure the abortion worked. You may also be able to get an ultrasound or blood test to confirm that the abortion worked. If you had an in-clinic abortion, they will check to make sure the abortion was complete. If they see something that makes them think it wasn’t, they may have you do follow-up tests to make sure. Your nurse or doctor will talk you through everything you need to know. 

Remember that if you have any concerns about your health, including any symptoms you’re experiencing during or after an abortion, your local Planned Parenthood is available to help you, even if we didn’t provide your abortion. 

Regular pregnancy tests that you get at the store and some health centers may give you a false positive result for up to 5 weeks after your abortion — that’s because you may still have some pregnancy hormones left in your body that the test can pick up. But it doesn’t mean you’re pregnant. However, it IS possible to get pregnant very soon after an abortion, even if pregnancy tests are coming up positive or your period hasn’t started yet. So if you’ve had sex without using birth control since having an abortion, a positive pregnancy test could mean that you’re pregnant again.

The signs of pregnancy after an abortion are pretty much the same as they are any other time:

• Swollen or tender breasts
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Feeling tired
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Peeing more often than usual

Abortion starts a new menstrual cycle, so your period should go back to normal 4-8 weeks after your abortion. When your next period will come depends on the birth control method you use.

If you’re not on birth control, you should have a period by 8 weeks after your abortion. If you’re not using birth control and you don’t get your period 8 weeks after your abortion, call your doctor or a Planned Parenthood health center.

Tags: Abortion, pregnancy, pregnancy symptoms

Update June 24, 2022

The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which means that states can now ban abortion. Some states have banned abortion or created lots of restrictions. But abortion is still legal in many states, and it's legal to go to a different state to get an abortion. Abortion is NOT banned nationwide.

Laws about abortion are changing very quickly — this page is updated often, but it may not have the newest information. If you’re pregnant and seeking an abortion, Planned Parenthood can help you understand your options. You can also find out what the laws and restrictions are in your state here.

What’s going on with abortion laws in the U.S.? 

Abortion is legal in the U.S. because of a 1973 Supreme Court decision called Roe v. Wade. This decision meant states couldn’t ban abortion. But since then, states have passed more than 1,300 laws and restrictions that make it harder and more expensive to get an abortion. So, abortion is already out of reach for many people.

This spring/summer, the Supreme Court is deciding a case that could end the constitutional right to abortion. This would potentially allow states to have even harsher laws or make abortion illegal — and, in fact, some states are already severely restricting abortion now. This can make it confusing to figure out if, when, and how you can get an abortion.

If you already have an appointment and need help paying for your abortion, transportation, or other financial needs to get to your appointment, please contact your nearest Planned Parenthood health center to find out about financial help they may be able to provide. If they can’t get you all the help you need, you can also visit AbortionFunds.org.

Abortion types: in-clinic abortion and abortion pills

There are two ways of ending a pregnancy: in-clinic abortion and abortion pills. Both are safe and effective. You can get either option from Planned Parenthood health centers and other health centers. Depending on what state you live in, you may be able to have a video or phone visit with a doctor or nurse for the abortion pill and then have the pills mailed to you. 

Finding and taking abortion pills to end a pregnancy outside of the health care system is called “self-managed abortion.” Legal abortion provided by a doctor or nurse is the most effective and best-studied way to have an abortion in the U.S., and decades of research show that it’s extremely safe and effective. While self-managed abortion hasn’t been studied as much, there are safe and effective ways to self-manage abortion with pills.

However, in the U.S. it’s illegal to give or get the abortion pills without a prescription. There are potential legal risks to buying abortion pills outside of the health care system. Plan C* has more information about the difference between getting an abortion from a doctor or nurse, like the staff at your local Planned Parenthood, and a self-managed abortion, including legal considerations.

What else do I need to know?

It’s important to be aware of fake health centers — also known as crisis pregnancy centers — which may advertise pregnancy counseling but don’t provide abortion and won’t give you factual information about your options. All the providers on AbortionFinder.org are real.

Remember: if you need an abortion, Planned Parenthood staff can answer your questions, determine how far along your pregnancy is, and help you get the care you need. 

We’ll keep providing updates as the situation unfolds. And know this: Planned Parenthood is here for you. We’ll continue to provide quality, essential health care and education, and we’ll never stop fighting for your right to access the care you need.

Learn more about abortion laws in your state.

*NOTE: Planned Parenthood is not responsible for nor does it endorse any legal, medical, or other advice or information provided by any of the entities identified or referenced herein or by any other third parties, whether referenced herein or not. 

Tags: Abortion, Reproductive Rights, Abortion restrictions, abortion pill, sex education, abortion access, in-clinic abortion, medication abortion, state laws