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Your abortion has been scheduled with Planned Parenthood of Maryland.  This document provides details that are very important.  Please read this information before your appointment.  If you have any questions, contact our call center at 410.576.1414.


Instructions and Payment Information

Two kinds of abortion are available in the U.S. — medication and in-clinic abortion.

The following information prepares you for a medication abortion.   

 

Please Watch These Videos Before Your Medication Abortion:

Overview of Medication Abortion

What to Expect When Taking Medication Abortion Pills

How To Take Medication Abortion Pills

 

Before Your Medication Abortion in a Health Center:

  • Food Instructions:

    • We recommend having a light meal or snack before your visit.

  • Medication Instructions

    • Do not take any aspirin during the 7 days prior to your visit. 

    • Do not use alcohol, other substances, or medication that was not prescribed to you 24 hours prior to your visit.

    • If you take any of these medications, please call us before your appointment:

      • Steroids

      • Regular aspirin (not baby aspirin)

      • Blood thinners

      • Anxiety medication

      • Prescription pain medication

    • If you have any of these medical conditions, please call us before your appointment:

      • Diabetes on insulin

      • Any heart problem

      • Severe asthma

      • Bleeding disorder

      • Seizures

      • Narcolepsy


Who Can You Bring to Your Visit:

  • You can come by yourself and drive yourself home after the appointment, but you are more than welcome to bring a support person. Your support person may accompany you for some parts of the visit.

  • For COVID: Your support person must be free from COVID symptoms or diagnosis and will be asked to follow the same in-clinic policies as patients.

  • It is preferred and helpful that children do not accompany you to this appointment due to the long visit length. However, if this will prevent you from being able to keep your appointment, please contact us to make a plan.

  • Please contact us at least 24 hours in advance to cancel or reschedule your appointment.

 

What to Expect During Your Medication Abortion:

  • Our health center is equipped with free WiFi as well as charging stations for patients to use during their visit.

  • You should plan to be here anywhere from 90 minutes to 3 hours.

  • Your visit will be customized to your unique needs. Not everyone needs the same things. The visit may include:

    • Ultrasound on stomach or vaginal

    • Lab work, which may include a blood draw

    • Health screenings, like blood pressure

    • Opportunity to ask questions & discuss birth control options

    • You will be given the first dose of the abortion pills to take here at the Health Center or to take home with you. You will also be provided additional medication to complete your abortion, as well as pain and anti-nausea medication to make your procedure more comfortable.


What to Expect After Your Medication Abortion:

  • You will not begin bleeding until you take the second set of abortion pills at home. If you spend significant portions of your days on your feet, you may want to consider reducing this over the next few days.

  • Consider having a person with you to support your recovery.

  • Have a supply of maxi pads available at home

  • Some people also benefit from a heating pad. If you do not have a heating pad, you can make one with a sock and uncooked rice and heat it in the microwave.

  • You will be instructed on how to follow-up after your visit to ensure that your medication abortion was complete.

  • If you need help - medical or emotional

    • Resources are available to you after your abortion.  If you are having medical issues, you will be provided with a phone number to call 24/7.

    • Having a wide range of feelings is normal.  You will be provided with resources during your visit to support you emotionally after your abortion.


Insurance and Payment Information:

We accept cash as well as all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) if the cardholder is present. We do not accept personal checks.


Self-pay:

  • If you do not have Medicaid or private insurance, the cost of your visit will be $500 and is due at your appointment.

  • Please bring your photo ID with you to the appointment. 

  • If you would like to be screened for financial assistance, please contact our Call Center at 410.576.1414.


Medicaid – Bring your Medicaid card and your ID to your appointment. The name on your Medicaid card and your ID must match to be used.


Private insurance – Bring your insurance card and your ID to your appointment. The name on your insurance card and your ID must match. We recommend that you contact your insurance company directly to confirm your eligibility and benefits. Co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles are due at the time of your appointment.


Additional Funding – There may be additional funding available to cover the cost of your visit and travel costs. Please call us to learn more.


It is important to follow these instructions. If you have questions about the instructions or what to expect during your visit, please contact us at 410.576.1414.

 

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