By law, South Dakota banned abortion. Therefore, it’s necessary to travel to another state to have one.
Abortion costs depend on how far along a woman is in her pregnancy and where she travels. There are two types of abortion: medical and surgical.
Medical abortions, also known as the abortion pill, are often priced lower than surgical abortions. However, this method comes with risks you should be aware of beforehand.
Medical Abortion
A medical abortion consists of two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone blocks progesterone and prevents the embryo from staying implanted in the uterus, while misoprostol causes uterine contractions and expels both the embryo and pregnancy tissue through the vagina.
One abortion provider estimates the total cost of a medical abortion can be up to $800. The price differs based on whether you have insurance covering the cost of the drugs or are having to pay out of pocket. Travel expenses also raise the overall price, as well as factoring the cost of taking time off work or childcare. A surgical abortion is a surgical procedure performed by a licensed physician. A surgical abortion can cost anywhere between $500 – $2,000, depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy.
Before pursuing a medical abortion, you should confirm your pregnancy with a lab-quality pregnancy test and obstetrical ultrasound. An ultrasound will determine how far along you are, whether the pregnancy is viable and the location of the pregnancy. The medical abortion is only approved up to 10 weeks gestation (70 days since the first day of your last menstrual period) and a surgical abortion would be required if you are past 10 weeks.
Although rare, you could have an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that grows outside the uterus). If so, you will not be eligible for medical abortion and further medical treatment will be required.
Before using the abortion pills, it is essential to consider the risks because some of them could require you to pay for additional medical treatment.
Possible risks of a medication abortion include:
- Fever
- Infection
- Heavy, continuous bleeding
- Diarrhea
- Digestive pain
- Allergic reaction to the medications used
- Incomplete abortion (which may require a surgical abortion to treat)
You should seek medical treatment immediately if you experience the following after taking the abortion pills:
- Severe abdominal or back pain
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours
- Heavy bleeding (soaking two or more pads every hour for two hours)
I Have More Questions. Where Should I Go?
It is natural to feel overwhelmed at this time. Perhaps you are unsure whether to have an abortion and would like to learn more about your pregnancy options. Get the information necessary to make an informed and empowered decision.
At Alpha Center, we offer lab-quality pregnancy testing and limited ultrasounds at absolutely no-cost to you. Before you spend any money, if you have questions about your options, schedule an appointment for a consultation. You don’t have to go through this journey alone. We are here for you!