3 Things to Know Before Going Out of State for an Abortion

Minnesota’s state constitution protects abortion. If you are in a state with restrictive abortion laws, you might be considering traveling to this state for a procedure.

No matter your situation, having an unplanned pregnancy can take an emotional and physical toll even before considering options like traveling out of state. Make sure to confirm the following details to make an informed decision.

Confirm Your Pregnancy Status

Don’t rely on common pregnancy symptoms. Confirm your pregnancy with a reliable pregnancy test before making plans. These are available at any local drugstore or pregnancy center (often at no cost to you).

If you get a positive test, this does not guarantee that your pregnancy is still viable. Pregnancy tests have reactive strips to detect hCG levels. If you’ve recently had a miscarriage, there may still be detectable levels.

Up to 26% of pregnancies end in natural miscarriage, so you’ll want to confirm its viability even if you have a positive test. An ultrasound can confirm whether or not the pregnancy is viable.

Clarify Your Pregnancy’s Location

An ultrasound can tell you not only if the pregnancy is still viable but it can alert you to certain health complications, such as an ectopic pregnancy.

An ectopic pregnancy means that it is located outside of the uterus, often in the fallopian tube, and can cause a tubal rupture. This issue is a severe medical concern that requires immediate medical attention. An abortion cannot treat this. 

Know Your Pregnancy’s Age

In addition to alerting you to the pregnancy’s viability and location, knowing the gestational age will affect which abortion procedures you might be eligible for.

For example, a medication abortion is only FDA-approved before ten weeks (70 days) gestational age, which may factor into any plans you make for traveling out of state.

Schedule Pregnancy Services 

No matter where you are, we are here to help. If you’re already in the state for an abortion or considering it, we offer free, confidential options consultations as well as local services like lab-quality pregnancy tests and ultrasounds. 

Traveling out of state for an abortion can have steep emotional and physical costs, so we are here to help you feel equipped to make a confident decision in a compassionate, judgment-free environment.

You are not alone. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!