NYS DOH Abortion Services

Abortion care is available to all New Yorkers and for those coming from outside of New York State (NYS), up to and including 24 weeks of pregnancy. It is a safe, legal, and common way to end a pregnancy and everyone has access to services regardless of age, gender identify, immigration and insurance status. You can speak to a provider about your care options for a medication abortion or in-clinic abortion, and your privacy will be protected every step of the way. After 24 weeks, you can still get an abortion if your health or pregnancy is at risk.

In New York, there are policies in place to safeguard people seeking, receiving, and administering abortion care. To read more on the legislation, you can visit the resources below.

Knowing when you are pregnant

  • Missed period
  • Tender, swollen breasts or chest
  • Nausea with or without vomiting
  • Increased urination
  • Fatigue

For more information visit: American Pregnancy Association: Early signs of Pregnancy

When you can get an abortion

Under New York State Public Health Law (§ 2599-BB), abortion is legal in the State of New York when the patient, "is within twenty-four weeks from the commencement of pregnancy, or there is an absence of fetal viability, or the abortion is necessary to protect the patient's life or health."

According to the New York State Department of Health, commencement of pregnancy is the beginning of implantation of blastocysts (when the embryo enters the uterus), usually 4 weeks after fertilization (when sperm meets egg). A provider can help you figure out how far along you are and what your options are.

Types of Abortion

You can choose where and how you have your abortion. The two types of abortions are medication abortion and in-clinic abortion.

Medication abortion

A medication abortion is offered up to 11 weeks after the first day of your last menstrual period. It is a safe and effective way of ending an early pregnancy.

Medication abortion works through two medications—mifepristone and misoprostol—that you can get from a doctor's office, clinic, or in the mail. You take mifepristone first, and then four misoprostol pills 1 to 2 days later. Together, these pills stop the pregnancy and empty the uterus. More information is available at medication abortion fact sheet.

In-clinic abortion

In-clinic abortion works by using suction to take pregnancy tissue out of your uterus. There are two options. Your doctor or nurse will know which one can work for you, depending on where you are in your pregnancy. Read more at Planned Parenthood.

  • Suction abortion (also called vacuum aspiration): Most common type of in-clinic abortion and uses a soft suction to empty your uterus. Used usually 14-16 weeks after your last period.
  • Dilation and Evacuation (D&E): Can be done later than a suction abortion using medical tools and suction to empty your uterus. This is usually used when it has been 16 weeks or longer since your last period.

Compare your options (PDF) (reproductiveaccess.org/). Also available in additional languages

Abortions are safe and common, and thousands of people receive care every year. You are not alone. To see some of the numbers on how many people get this care, visit The Kaiser Family Foundation.

Find an abortion provider

Resources

Family Planning

  • Family Planning Program Sites - Sites all over NYS provide full private family planning and reproductive health care services to all adults and adolescents regardless of whether you can pay or your immigration status. If someone does not have insurance, the cost is determined based on income.
  • NYS Family Planning Resources

Mental Health

It is important to get health care when you need it and that includes mental health. Having options to connect with someone and talk about any overwhelming feelings can be helpful. Here are some options that could be helpful when getting abortion care.

  • Shout Your Abortion offers peer support and shares short abortion stories and experiences.
  • Exhale offers an anonymous talk and text line for emotional support.
  • The Trevor Project can also help by providing mental health crisis support to LGBTQ+ people and their allies.
  • For any individuals experiencing or in fear of experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline can help. View their website or call (800) 799-7233