What Is Abortion?

Abortion Defined

abortion /abor·tion/ (ah-bor’ shun)

At its root, to abort simply means “to stop,” but the word abortion has come to be commonly associated with induced abortion.

Also known as ‘pregnancy termination’, it refers to the separation of a fetus from its mother, either naturally or through medical or surgical intervention. When it happens naturally, it’s called a spontaneous abortion, also known as miscarriage. When it happens artificially, it’s called induced abortion.

Medically, the term ‘abortion’ is used as a synonym referring to ‘induced abortion’ and occurs for one of two reasons:

  1. Therapeutic Abortion refers to the separation of the child from the mother for the purpose of saving one or both of their lives.
  2. Elective Abortion refers to the separation of the child from the mother for the purpose of ending the life of the child. 

 

Plan B abortion pill

First Trimester: Medical

Commonly referred to as
“the abortion pill”

First Trimester: Surgical

abortion by either suction aspiration
or vacuum aspiration

Second Trimester: Surgical

Abortion by either dilation & curettage (D&C)
or dilation and evacuation (D&E)

How Much Does an Abortion Cost?

According to the Guttmacher Institute, the average cost for a first-trimester abortion is in the US is $508 (anywhere between $75 and $25001). The median cost for a second-trimester abortion is $1,195. Later term abortion can cost $3,000 or more. The specific cost of an abortion depends on the type of procedure and the size of the baby, which are based on gestational age. The price rises as pregnancy progresses. Price also varies by provider; clinics and private practice abortionists typically offer lower costs than hospitals.

Typical Abortion Costs in Louisiana

  • Medication Abortion / Abortion Pill with insurance (within 10 weeks gestation) : $350-$650
  • Medical Abortion / Abortion Pill without insurance: up to $10002
  • Abortion Pill online: not available legally3 in the US
  • Abortion Pill at CVS: not available by prescription

Cost of Surgical Abortion

  • Suction Aspiration / Vacuum Abortion (6-12 weeks gestation): $600-$1000
  • Dilation and Curettage (13-16 weeks gestation): not legal in Louisiana
  • Dilation and Evacuation (17-21 weeks gestation): $1500-$2100

Find out what your costs could be.

To find out how far along you are and what the cost of an abortion could be for you, schedule a free pre-termination evaluation with Care Pregnancy Clinic today.

Medically Reviewed By:

Tessa, NP

Staff Nurse Practitioner, Baton Rouge

1 Jones, R., Ingerick, M., Jerman, J. (2018). Differences in Abortion Service Delivery in Hostile, Middle-ground, and Supportive States in 2014. Women’s Health Iss; 28(3): 212–218.

2 Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc. How do I get the abortion pill? Retrieved June 2019 from  PlannedParenthood.org.

3 CompassCare Pregnancy Services. “Can I Buy the Abortion Pill Online?” Retrieved from CompassCare.info on 06/04/19.