Abortion Support

Travel and Other Related Support

If you need help arranging or paying for travel and related costs (like a place to stay, childcare, meals, etc.), the following organizations may be able to help:

• In Oregon, OHP (Medicaid) pays for the cost of transportation to and from your appointment. This may be true in other states as well. Get more information about transportation services in Oregon and to find the ride service in your area.

• Northwest Abortion Access Fund helps people pay for abortion care and travel needs in Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Idaho.

• Cascades Abortion Support Collective provides travel, lodging, and other support for people accessing abortion in Oregon. 
  

• If you are coming from out of state:

• The Brigid Alliance serves people nationwide.
  

• You can also check Apiary to find your local support organization.
  

Emotional Support Before, During, and After an Abortion

It is normal to feel a range of emotions before, during, and after an abortion. According to the Turnaway Study*, the largest study about people's experiences with abortion and unwanted pregnancy in the United Sates, the most common emotion people report after an abortion is relief. If you would like to talk with someone about your experiences, there are several free, anonymous, nonjudgmental talk lines that can help:

• All Options Talkline - offers a national talkline for pregnant people who are unsure of how to feel or what to do next, or if someone wants to discuss a past or current experience with abortion, adoption, parenting, infertility or pregnancy loss.

  • If you have spiritual concerns or questions about abortion or pregnancy decision-making, All Options' program, Faith Aloud, provides compassionate and nonjudgmental support from trained clergy and religious counselors.

• Exhale - offers emotional support to people who have had an abortion and partners or family members. 
  

• Abortions Welcome - offers pro-choice, affirming and compassionate spiritual resources for people before, during and after an abortion.
  

Abortion Stories

Although everybody’s experience with abortion is different, it may be helpful to read or hear someone else’s story about their abortion (or even share your own story) at the following links:

• We Testify – an organization elevates the voices and expertise of abortion storytellers, particularly those of color, those from rural and conservative communities, those who are queer-identified, those with varying abilities and citizenship statuses, and those who needed support when navigating barriers while accessing abortion care

• Shout Your Abortion - an organization that aims to normalize abortion through storytelling

• Abortion out Loud - storytelling from young people

• Sam’s Medication Abortion – a zine about one person’s experience of medication abortion

References

*The Turnaway Study – from UCSF