Skip to main content

The UnRestrict Minnesota Guide to Getting an Abortion

We all deserve the opportunity to live a safe, healthy, and fulfilling life—and sometimes that can include having an abortion.

Having an abortion is not something that most people plan for, and once the decision* has been made, it can often mean time-sensitive scrambling to schedule the appointment, navigate the laws, and gather resources.

With the UnRestrict Minnesota Guide to Getting an Abortion, we hope to make this process a little easier and to reduce the stress so that you can focus on you and your safety, care, and comfort.

What are my options?

The first step in determining which method(s) of abortion are available for you is to figure out how far into the pregnancy you are. A quick way to do this is to identify the first date of your last menstrual period (LMP). Knowing this will help you understand where you are within your pregnancy.

There are online calculators (like this one) that can help. Reproductive health care providers are also happy and able to assist in calculating your LMP either over the phone or in person during a consultation.

Medication abortion (aka the “abortion pill”) is available for pregnancies that are under 10-11 weeks from the last menstrual period, and in-clinic abortions are available to patients within the first and second trimesters.

Those who need abortion care later in pregnancy (the later half of the second trimester and on) tend to find out new information during a prenatal visit. These patients require care at a hospital or clinic that specializes in abortions later in pregnancy. Your OB/GYN or local abortion provider will be able to assist you in connecting with these specialty providers.

Read More:

The UnRestrict Minnesota Guide to Medication Abortion

Medication abortion is an FDA-approved form of abortion care that has been used across the country safely for more than 20 years. Today, more than half of abortions in the United States are medication abortions.

Read our guide to getting a medication abortion in minnesota

Read More:

The UnRestrict Minnesota Guide to Procedural Abortion

Procedural abortion is the general phrase for an in-clinic abortion in which the physician is directly removing the pregnancy. This procedure takes 5-15 minutes and can be completed in a doctor’s office.

read our guide to getting a PROCEDURAL abortion in minnesota

Frequently Asked Questions

Is abortion safe?

Yes. Abortion is one of the safest–and most common–medical procedures performed in the United States today. Approximately one quarter (25%) of American women and people with uteri will have an abortion in their lifetime. This number is even higher when you account for LGBTQ individuals who do not exclusively have same sex partners, as they have a higher likelihood of becoming pregnant and having an abortion than heterosexual peers. 

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, abortion is 14x safer than childbirth and is safer than most common medical procedures like wisdom tooth removal, cancer-screening colonoscopy, and plastic surgery.

Is abortion legal in Minnesota?

Yes. Even though Roe v. Wade was overturned on the national level in 2022, abortion remains legal and constitutionally protected in the state of Minnesota. Historic progress was made in the 2023 legislative session to remove the many barriers and restrictions to abortion care, as well as to secure in law everyone’s right to make and act on their own reproductive health care decisions without interference from the government. 

If I'm under 18, can I access abortion care?

Yes. While more than 90% of minors talk to a trusted adult about their decision to have an abortion, minors in Minnesota can access abortion care, and other reproductive healthcare, without the consent or notification of a parent.

Am I protected if I travel to Minnesota for care from a state where abortion is banned?

Yes. If you are a patient who lives in a state that has banned abortion care, you can still legally travel to Minnesota to access care. In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law protecting everyone who seeks, provides, or helps someone get abortion care in Minnesota from legal action and criminal prosecution by anti-abortion activists and politicians from out of state”

Does MinnesotaCare and Medical Assistance cover abortion?

Yes. Both MinnesotaCare and Medical Assistance will cover the cost of abortion.

What if money is tight right now?

If money–and/or your time and general resources–are limited right now, you can still get an abortion. There are organizations (Our Justice, SPIRAL Collective) in Minnesota dedicated to helping people in need of care by assisting with financial support, as well as aid in coordinating travel and childcare. They are tapped into a broader network of groups and individuals working to ensure that everyone who needs an abortion is able to get one, regardless of income or zip code.

Many abortion providers also have “funds” that work to alleviate the financial and logistical burdens that come with seeking an abortion, including H.O.T.D.I.S.H. Militia in Duluth and the ND Women in Need (ND WIN) Fund. The staff assisting you with scheduling your appointment will be able to provide you more information about how to access support through their fund.

You are not alone in this. Meet your Minnesota abortion friends:

WE Health Clinic

 Whole Woman's Health Our Justice
Red River Women’s Clinic Just The Pill

Spiral Collective

 H.O.T.D.I.S.H. Militia

 

Additional Web Resources:

Plan C • Apiary for Practical Support • I Need an A • If/When/How Legal Support Line • National Network of Abortion Funds • Jen (SD) • Nebraska Abortion Resources • Iowa Abortion Access Fund • Midwest Access Coalition

Not your friends—Watch out for “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” 

During your search for an abortion provider, you may come across organizations or facilities offering free pregnancy tests or family planning services. It is important to review these places carefully as anti-abortion groups like to set up shop, often pretending to appear as abortion providers, for the purpose of misleading pregnant folks away from having an abortion. 

These “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” tend to have similar names and branding as real reproductive clinics—even going as far as operating across the street from actual abortion providers. CPCs (which outnumber abortion clinics in Minnesota by 11:1)  have a well-documented pattern of actively misleading visitors about their pregnancy, by providing inaccurate ultrasounds, promoting false or medically-biased claims, and providing unethical medical advice without a medical license.

 

*Unsure if abortion is the right option for you? That’s ok. The most important thing is that you feel confident in your decision, whether that is to continue the pregnancy or go ahead with an abortion. Here is a Pregnancy Options Workbook to help navigate the different feelings or experiences that can come to the surface during a pregnancy decision.

Stay Informed!

Join the millions of Minnesotans who agree everyone should have the power and ability to make healthy decisions about their own bodies, decide whether and when to become a parent, and raise healthy children in our communities if we decide to become parents.