Abortion in Madison, WI
We offer the following abortion services:
Medication Abortion / Abortion Pill
Availability and How to Prepare
The abortion pill (also known as a medication abortion) is offered up to 11 weeks and 0 days after the first day of your last menstrual period. It is a safe and effective way of ending an early pregnancy.
If your last period was more than 11 weeks and 0 days ago, read about our in-clinic abortion services below.
Abortion pill (medication abortion) services are available by appointment only.
What To Expect During Your Appointment
Plan to be at the health center for 2 hour(s) for your entire visit.
Post-Appointment Information
In the unlikely event that you are still pregnant, you may need another dose of medicine or to have an in-clinic abortion to end the pregnancy.
We’ll also give you after-care instructions and a phone number you can call with any questions or concerns.
Abortion Procedure / In-Clinic Abortion
Availability
In-clinic abortion (also known as surgical abortion) is offered up to 21 weeks and 6 days after the first day of your last menstrual period.
If your last period started more than 21 weeks and 6 days ago, we can help connect you to other abortion options in your area.
In-clinic abortions are available by appointment only.
Please contact this health center for Abortion Services pricing information.
Preparing For Your Appointment
If you desire medication to help make your in-clinic abortion more comfortable, you must have a responsible companion with you to help you get home safely.
There may be additional charges for lab and blood work.
Payment is expected at time of service unless other arrangements have been made.
What To Expect During Your Appointment
Plan to be at the health center for 3 hour(s) for your entire visit for an in-clinic abortion.
When you choose an abortion service at our health center, you may also receive the following: pregnancy dating (ultrasound)
At times there may be protesters outside of the health center. We suggest you avoid interaction with them.
Please do not bring children to the health center.
WI Requirements
There are three laws in Wisconsin that affect an individual’s access to abortion care
and the information they get during the process. These laws also limit the way in which Planned
Parenthood of WI, Inc. (PPWI) can provide abortion care. While we do not agree that politicians
should be involved in personal health care decisions, we must obey these laws.
1. 24 Hour Waiting Period (1996): A patient must make two visits to the abortion center. At the first visit, the doctor
must give the patient specific details about the process, discuss other pregnancy options and offer other resources.
The patient then must wait at least 24 hours before having an abortion. You should know that PPWI is not always
able to schedule patients for their abortion exactly 24 hours after their first clinic visit.
2. Restrictions to Medication (Pill) Abortion (2012): A patient must meet with the same doctor for the first two visits
to the abortion center. This limits our ability to offer Pill abortions because the same doctors don't work every day of
the week. The law also says that the follow up visit after a Pill abortion must take place at a PPWI abortion center
and not at one of our other health centers.
3. Mandatory Ultrasound Requirement (2013): A patient must have an ultrasound before having an abortion and the
ultrasound must be shown to them. This law also states that we must describe the way the pregnancy looks.
However, the law says that a patient cannot be forced to look at the ultrasound.
The law states a patient is allowed to choose the type of ultrasound that they have. There are two choices:
- Abdominal – a probe is placed on your belly
- Vaginal – a thin probe is placed a few inches into your vagina
about your options before you have your ultrasound.
There are other places that provide free ultrasounds to pregnant patients and the State requires that we make that
list available to you. If you would like a copy of that list please ask a staff person. If you have an ultrasound
elsewhere, PPWI will still require you to have an ultrasound at one of our abortion centers.
If you have questions about how any of these laws affect your care, please ask a staff person.
If you are under the age of 18 and need help talking with your parents/caregivers or seeking judicial bypass we can help.
Additional Abortion Support
Before your abortion, our expert and caring staff will discuss all of your pregnancy options with you to help you make sure abortion is the best decision for you. We’ll also talk with you about your health history to make sure we’re providing the best care for you.
If you don’t have insurance and need help paying for your abortion, call us. We may be able to help you with financial assistance. You can also go to AbortionFunds.org for financial help.
In Wisconsin you are required to have two visits. At the first visit you will have an ultrasound, lab work, education and a meeting with the physician. This visit is mandatory if you want to have an abortion in Wisconsin. Your abortion will take place at a separate visit, no less than 24 hours after the initial visit. You are welcome to bring one guest with you. Guests must be over the age of 18 and must bring a photo ID. Guests will only be allowed to join you during some parts of your appointment. If you are late for your appointment we reserve the right to reschedule you.
