There are different types of abortion available in New Mexico. Your stage of pregnancy will determine what type of abortion you may be able to access.
Medication Abortion
(Abortion with Pills)
Pregnant people who are within 11 weeks of their last menstrual period (LMP) have the option to use medications to end a pregnancy.
Medication abortion is a 1-2 day process using two different medications. You can be at home or in a space of your own choosing to have the abortion. There are now many ways to access this type of abortion, including telemedicine and in person, both with the help of a provider. Additionally, these medications can be taken independently, which will be discussed in the section below titled Self- Managed Abortion.
Medication Abortion Through a Healthcare Provider
Medication abortion with a healthcare provider means that pills to end your pregnancy are prescribed by a certified provider after an in-person or virtual visit.
With an in-person visit, the first medication is taken at your appointment, and the second set of pills is taken in your own space.
If you access abortion through telemedicine, medications will be mailed to you and instructions given to you so that you can take the pills wherever you decide works for you.
Pills can be mailed to you at home, a post office box or other address within the state.
The first medication you take starts the abortion process and is called Mifepristone, also known as Mife (Mifeprex, or RU-486). You swallow a single tablet of Mifepristone, which blocks the function of progesterone. Progesterone is a hormone needed to maintain pregnancy. Mifepristone signals to your body to stop growing the pregnancy and alters the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), causing the pregnancy to detach from the uterine wall. Because of this detachment, the pregnancy does not continue. Additionally, Mifepristone helps to soften and dilate the cervix.
The second medication you take is misoprostol, also known as miso. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract/cramp, which helps the body release the pregnancy, similar to a miscarriage. Misoprostol will be dispensed or sent to you at the same time as the first medication. For the misoprostol to work best, your provider will instruct you to wait 24-48 hours after taking the mifepristone tablet. Depending on the stage of pregnancy, a second dose of misoprostol may be needed. Bleeding and passing the pregnancy typically takes place within a few hours after taking the misoprostol. Patients are given instructions that explain how and when to take the misoprostol, as well as the number of doses they may need.
These medications are very effective, but don’t work for every person. Abortion providers/clinics usually either schedule a follow-up call or visit, or provide a follow-up pregnancy test to make sure the abortion is complete. In the event that a patient is still pregnant, they may be given another dose of medication, or an abortion through an in-clinic procedure may be necessary.
You do not need to bring a support person with you to receive a medication abortion. If you prefer, someone may be able to attend the in-person or telemedicine appointment with you. Please ask about policies related to your visit when you call to make your appointment.
Providers have varying policies related to medication abortion. Some providers may require an ultrasound; some will automatically provide an additional dose of misoprostol, in case of need; and others may provide medication for pain relief and nausea. Feel free to ask your provider about any questions or concerns you may have about the medication abortion, as well as what support is available during and after taking the medication.
Abortion later in pregnancy (third trimester) is accessible in New Mexico.
ABORTION THROUGH AN IN-CLINIC PROCEDURE
Abortion providers use two types of in-clinic procedures to end a pregnancy: uterine aspiration (also known as dilation and curettage or D&C), and dilation and evacuation (D&E). Both of these procedures involve cervical dilation and suction.
Based on your pregnancy timeline and unique circumstances, you and your provider will determine which options are available.
A uterine aspiration (D&C) removes the pregnancy by suction. This procedure can be used through 14 to 16 weeks after a last menstrual period (LMP). The uterine aspiration can be done with a manual vacuum aspirator (MVA) or a suction machine.
A dilation and evacuation (D&E) utilizes instruments and suction to remove the pregnancy tissue. This procedure is used for those who are 14-16 weeks or more past their LMP.
Depending on the procedure and clinic/facility policies, you may or may not be able to bring your support person with you beyond the waiting area.
Most likely, if you want to have a support person with you as the provider is explaining options and the procedure, the clinic policy will allow this. Most clinics do not allow the support person to attend the actual procedure. You may want to ask about policies related to your visit when you call to make your appointment.
For procedural abortion, many clinics offer various forms of pain control and medications for pain during the procedure. Some of these methods of pain control can make it so you are unable to drive yourself after the procedure. If you are thinking that you may desire procedural abortion with pain medication, it is important to check with the clinic what options are available and the policies around self-transportation after the procedure.
Self-Managed Abortion
For generations, New Mexicans including Indigenous people, Black people, Latine people, people of color, and people of faith have cared for and respected each other through a spectrum of pregnancy decisions. Our relatives and ancestors have ended pregnancies in their own ways since the beginning of time.
Self-managed abortion is when you end a pregnancy on your own. People choose this option for many reasons, including deciding to practice bodily self-determination or because they face circumstances where accessing an abortion with a provider is not possible.
There are many ways to have a self-managed abortion, including the use of medications, herbs, and other methods. In general, self-managed abortions are medically safe. Additionally, self-managed does not mean that a person has to go through the abortion alone or without guidance, but instead refers to abortion outside the provider-patient abortion spaces described above.
Unfortunately, due to the current political environment, what is medically safe may not be legally safe, and people may face legal risks around self-managed abortion. Even in states where abortion rights are protected, these protections do not always extend to self-managed abortion. If you are worried or scared about your pregnancy and outcomes, you can get legal information and advice at ReproLegalHelpline.org.
For informational purposes, you can find more on abortion using self-sourced pills at the National Network for Abortion Funds (NNAF) website.
Preventing Pregnancy: Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy; emergency contraception is NOT abortion.
You can use emergency contraception if you had sex* without birth control/contraception, or if, for any reason, you are worried you might become pregnant after sex*.
There are two broad categories of emergency contraception.
Hormonal emergency contraception
Hormonal emergency contraception comes in two formulations:
1. The most effective is a prescription-only pill (ulipristal acetate) with the brand name Ella. It is a single pill that prevents pregnancy up to 5 days after having sex.* It works best the earlier it is taken and requires a prescription.
2. The other is often known as Plan B and is an over-the-counter medication that can also be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after having sex*. It is more effective the sooner it is taken, but it is less effective than Ella. The advantage of Plan B is that you do not need a prescription for it. Plan B may be less effective for people weighing more than 165 pounds.
Non-hormonal contraception
Non-hormonal emergency contraception is a copper IUD (intrauterine device) that can be inserted by a provider within 5 days after having sex*. Copper IUDs are highly effective for people of all sizes.
Both types of emergency contraception are used to prevent pregnancy and are NOT abortion.
If emergency contraception is used, it is important to test for pregnancy 4-6 weeks after use.
WELLNESS DURING AND AFTER AN ABORTION
Full-spectrum or abortion doulas can be very valuable in providing emotional and physical support over the course of your abortion.
After an abortion, it is important to care for your wellness.
The general, non-medical recovery information we are sharing here is intended to give a sense of what you may be navigating after an abortion.
If you accessed abortion with a healthcare provider, they will give you detailed instructions to follow. A follow-up visit can confirm your abortion is complete.
Ideally, you will have access to a phone, transportation, and other logistical supports following your abortion.
Generally, the recovery process depends on the pregnancy timeline and type of abortion.
For about a week after an abortion, providers usually recommend avoiding strenuous activities and slowly returning to your normal activity level. If your bleeding increases during the recovery process, it may be a sign that your body is telling you to take it easier. It is important to contact your doctor if you experience excessive bleeding.
A PREGNANCY TEST MAY STILL SHOW A POSITIVE RESULT FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER YOUR ABORTION. PREGNANCY TESTS MEASURE LEVELS OF HORMONES IN YOUR BODY THAT WILL BE DECREASING FOR A WINDOW OF TIME AFTER YOUR ABORTION. PREGNANCY TESTS WORK BY DETECTING HCG (A HORMONE RELEASED WHEN PREGNANT) IN URINE. IT TYPICALLY TAKES AT LEAST 4 WEEKS FOR YOUR BODY TO FLUSH OUT THE HCG HORMONE, SO PROVIDERS SUGGEST WAITING THAT LONG TO TAKE A FOLLOW-UP PREGNANCY TEST.
Wellness After Medication Abortion (Abortion with Pills)
With medication abortion, heavy bleeding is normal and expected. This bleeding may feel like a heavy period, or more. It is really important that you keep track of how much you are bleeding.
Healthcare providers will give you detailed instructions on what to watch for after your abortion, and when a call or visit back to the provider is necessary. Generally, providers recommend contacting them immediately if bleeding fills more than one regular-sized menstrual pad every hour, for two hours in a row.
After your abortion, you can anticipate bleeding for about two weeks. The bleeding can range from light spotting to something similar to a heavier period. If bleeding continues after two weeks, providers usually recommend reaching out to the place where you got care.
If that’s not possible and you need follow-up care, contacting another abortion provider or asking for a referral to a trusted provider near you may be the best option. Aftercare and follow-up appointments with a provider are important for your overall health to ensure that your healing progress is on track, and you don’t need further attention. Receiving follow-up care from a trusted provider for continued bleeding is essential to your well-being.
Unfortunately, there are some providers in New Mexico’s healthcare systems (including urgent care and emergency rooms) that hold anti-abortion positions and will refuse services to people who require or have received abortion care. Often, religiously-affiliated hospitals won’t provide abortion care and will refuse to provide care for abortion follow-up. This can also be true of religiously-unaffiliated hospitals and individual providers. (For more on religiously-motivated refusals, check out this this short video and podcast.)
Please remember that many states surrounding New Mexico have severely restricted abortion care options, which may mean you are unable to safely access follow-up care near you. It is important for you to understand abortion laws in the state where you are seeking care.
Should you feel that staff, providers, or others are not open to discussing your pregnancy decisions and outcomes, you can ask to switch providers or seek care somewhere else if you are in an area where that is available.
For legal information and advice regarding abortion care, you can contact Repro Legal Helpline at ReproLegalHelpline.org or 844.868.2812.
Wellness After Abortion Through an In-Clinic Procedure
In-clinic abortions may be necessary for individuals beyond a certain gestational point in their pregnancies who can no longer have a medication abortion. After an abortion through an in-clinic procedure, you can anticipate bleeding for about two weeks. Bleeding can range from light spotting to something similar to a heavier period. Providers usually recommend contacting them if you are saturating one regular-sized menstrual pad in less than 1 hour. Cramping is also to be expected; pain medication such as ibuprofen can help alleviate pain and cramping.
For the 7 days following an abortion through an in-clinic procedure, providers often recommend avoiding strenuous activity and returning to your normal activity level slowly. If your bleeding increases during your recovery process, it can be a sign from your body trying to tell you to take it easier. It is important to contact your provider if excessive bleeding occurs.
If signs of infection, such as fever or foul smelling vaginal discharge, are present post procedure, contact your provider as soon as possible.
For an abortion after 20 weeks and above, milk production/lactation might occur during the recovery process. Medication to help reduce milk production/lactation may be administered at the clinic after the procedure has been completed. Other ways to reduce the production include: avoiding stimulation to the breast, application of cold compresses, and wearing supportive clothing.
After abortion later in pregnancy, there is an increased risk of producing blood clots in the legs (which can be life-threatening) if you don’t move for prolonged periods of time. Providers typically recommend moving your legs at least once every hour.
After an abortion, your usual period may return in 6 to 8 weeks. It is possible to get pregnant again during this time. If you’d like to avoid another pregnancy, talk to a healthcare provider about finding the best birth control method for you.
Emotional Wellness After An Abortion
People who have had an abortion describe experiencing a wide range of emotions after an abortion. There is no one right way to feel about having an abortion.
All your feelings are valid, and may change over days, months and even years. If you do find you are having extreme emotions or feel isolated or depressed, you can seek support at these locations.
POLICIES AT PROVIDERS’ OFFICES AND CLINICS CAN VARY. IT’S ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO CALL AHEAD TO ASK ABOUT THEIR PROTOCOLS, INCLUDING WHETHER THEY ARE ALLOWING IN-PERSON SUPPORT PEOPLE.