Read this before you make an appointment at an abortion clinic.
This webpage talks about:
- what to do before you make an appointment
- costs & other expectations
- questions you should ask or find out
- common medical questions you may be asked
- what to do if you are a minor in Louisiana (17 & under)
MAKING THE APPOINTMENT:
- Confirm you are pregnant with a positive pregnancy test before you call.
- Take a few at-home pregnancy tests. For at-home tests, the dollar store ones are fine!
- Some people choose to go to a regular doctor (such as a primary care clinic) to get a pregnancy test, ultrasound, or counseling, but just know that this will not count toward your abortion clinic visit (see expectations below). You will still have to get an ultrasound at the clinic regardless if you had one before you made the appointment, because of state law.
- Take a few at-home pregnancy tests. For at-home tests, the dollar store ones are fine!
- Call to make the appointment
- Abortion clinics are medical clinics, so you can just call to make an appointment. If the clinic is not in Louisiana, check with the clinic's website.
- You may not get an appointment the next day or the same week, as they have schedules and other patients.
- For privacy reasons, YOU should be the person calling for YOUR own appointment (do not have someone else call for you.)
- If you are a minor in Louisiana (ages 17 and under), please scroll to the bottom of this page.
- If a doctor or real abortion clinic* confirms that you are more than 20 weeks pregnant, you may have to go to another state
WHILE MAKING THE APPOINTMENT
- Confirm with the abortion provider over the phone or via their website:
- What should I bring to the clinic? (ID, insurance, etc)
- Do you take cash, credit cards, checks, or money orders?
- Are there payment plans available?
- Is parking available?
- How long do you think it may be between my first and second appointment?
- Who can come with me to the appointment? Some clinics do not allow children in the waiting room.
- IF YOU SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE: Confirm that there are translator options or as for resources on where to find a community volunteer
- IF YOU ARE A MINOR (17 & UNDER):
- What do I need to do as a minor?
- Do I need to come with a specific person?
AT THE APPOINTMENT
- Be prepared to answer the following questions:
- When did you last take a pregnancy test?
- How many did you take?
- Did any say "negative" the last time you took one?
- When was date of the first day of your last menstrual period?
- When was date of the last time you had unprotected intercourse (sex without a condom, condom broke, or birth control method)?
- What birth control method do you use, if any (IUD, implant, pill, depo shot, condoms, pulling out, etc.)?
- Do you currently have an IUD or implant?
- Do you have any bleeding disorders?
- Are you on any medications?
- Do you have allergies to any medications?
- Have you ever been pregnant before?
- How many times have you been pregnant?
- Did your pregnancies end in abortion, miscarriage, c-section, vaginal delivery?
- Any complications with your pregnancies?
- When was the last time you were tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
- Do not let this stop you from calling or going to your appointment, but if you have time to get tested for any sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) while you wait for your appointment, that can be a good thing. You can do this at any primary care clinic/doctor, urgent care, or centers like Planned Parenthood, and usually STD tests are covered by insurances! Visit our resources page for clinics you can go to for this in New Orleans.
- Have you ever had a sexually transmitted disease (STD)?
- When did you last take a pregnancy test?
IMPORTANT THINGS TO EXPECT & COSTS
- Expect to have two appointments, plus a follow-up appointment, & make arrangements to be able to go to them.
- Typically, your first appointment will be a counseling appointment, where they will tell you how far along you are, and your second will be the actual termination.
- When making your appointment, consider childcare, transportation, hotels/somewhere to stay, etc. before calling.
- Look up directions, bus routes and other transportation and know how you will get to and from the clinic for both appointments.
- YOU MUST get an ultrasound and pregnancy test done at the abortion clinic, regardless if you took a pregnancy test at home. You cannot skip this step.
- Expect this to be an out-of-pocket expense.
- Does Insurance Cover Abortions?
- Most of the time, insurance, including Medicaid, does NOT cover the cost of the visits because of state law. If you need help with paying for your abortion, please see our list of clinics in Louisiana or our resources page.
- How Much will an Abortion Cost?
- Community members aiding in the creation of this website have said they have paid anywhere between $500 - $4,000 total.
- The costs of abortion vary for a number of reasons, but importantly they increase depending on how far along the pregnancy is. Since this website is not associated with any abortion clinic, you should ask when you call how much to expect in pricing. Ask them how you can pay (by credit, check, cash, money order, etc.).
- Does Insurance Cover Abortions?
IF YOU ARE A MINOR (17 & UNDER)
- If you are a minor in Louisiana, please still follow the same steps as above in making and preparing for your abortion clinic appointment.
- Confirm with the clinic if you need any additional form of ID as a minor. Some clinics require birth certificates.
- STATE LAW REQUIRES that you get "Parental or Legal Guardian Consent" via signature OR that you go before a judge to get "Judicial Bypass" if you cannot get parental or legal guardian consent.
- If you cannot tell your parents/legal guardian for any reason, your parents/legal guardians are in jail or prison, your parents/legal guardians are deceased, or you have a guardian other than your parent whom is not “legal,” or for other reasons cannot obtain parental consent, you may receive a “Judicial Bypass.”
- The LA Judicial Bypass Project can help you.
- Please learn more about the minor requirements by visiting their website by clicking here or using this link: https://lajudicialbypass.wordpress.com/
- IF YOU KNOW YOU CANNOT GET PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN SIGNATURE, IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AND FILL OUT THIS FORM or use this link to see the form: https://lajudicialbypass.wordpress.com/contact-an-attorney/
- Please communicate with the clinic and LA Judicial Bypass Project about your care if you are confused
- If you cannot tell your parents/legal guardian for any reason, your parents/legal guardians are in jail or prison, your parents/legal guardians are deceased, or you have a guardian other than your parent whom is not “legal,” or for other reasons cannot obtain parental consent, you may receive a “Judicial Bypass.”