Some clinics have appointment request forms online while others only schedule over the phone.

You might have to call a few places to ask about an appointment. Although it can feel frustrating, know that each clinic you call is trying their best to help you.

When you call to schedule an appointment, the person you talk to will have a list of questions. This is sometimes called an “intake.” Some of the questions might feel weird and personal, or unrelated to abortion. They ask these questions so that they can help figure out the best place for you to get your abortion. Their providers also need specific information ahead of time. 

Because of the intake questions, you might want to make your calls when you have at least ten to fifteen minutes available. Make these phone calls from somewhere you will feel comfortable talking about your medical history.

If you can’t call from a private place, that’s ok too. Clinics understand that you are balancing a lot. Call when you can, even if it’s not the perfect time.

Note: Consider asking about testing for sexually transmitted infections (STI) and urinary tract infections (UTI). Most clinics will test and treat you (if positive) for gonorrhea and chlamydia, as part of their standard of care.

Some questions to prepare for:

• Your height and weight (some clinics ask for this info for sedation reasons)

• Your blood type

• Your most recent Hemoglobin level (i.e., if you are anemic)

• Gonorrhea and chlamydia test results in the last few months

• Years of any prior pregnancies

• If you have ever had a c-section

• If you take any medications

• If you are currently nursing and want to continue doing so after this procedure, flag this for the abortion clinic in advance. Some medications given during your abortion procedure could impact your milk supply, so talk to your abortion provider ahead of time to ensure you can continue nursing if you choose.

Crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) are fake clinics that are run by people who are against abortion. In some places, CPCs outnumber abortion clinics 12 to 1!

CPCs are designed to trick people into changing their mind about getting an abortion. They purposefully look like abortion clinics and are often located near real clinics. This means that it can be easy to go to a CPC by mistake. It’s important to know that the people who work there often do not have any medical training.

Note that because Crisis Pregnancy Centers are not licensed medical providers, they are not regulated, and they do not have to keep any information you give them private.

How to spot crisis pregnancy centers:

• They use words like “pregnancy options”, “pregnancy care center” or “pregnancy resource center”. 

• They tell you it’s too late in your pregnancy to get an abortion, even when that’s not true. 

• They might make you watch videos that describe fake consequences or risks to abortion, or make you listen to the electro-pulse or the ‘heartbeat’. 

• They will not refer you to an abortion clinic.

• They offer free pregnancy tests and then refuse to give you the results of your pregnancy test. 

• Their websites might have phrases like “abortion pill reversal” or “RU-486”. 

• They talk to you about religion, even if you don't want to.

• They may advertise or offer free pregnancy tests, fertility awareness methods, pregnancy options counseling, ultrasounds, pre-abortion screenings, abortion education, post-abortion care — but they do not offer effective birth control options like pills, condoms, IUD’s, implants and they do not provide or help you get abortion care.

Still unsure about whether a clinic is real or fake? Remember: real clinics will come up on I Need an A and Abortion Finder.