Since the 2022 Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade, interstate travel has increased for abortion care. According to the latest data, thousands of people since 2024 have crossed to another state to avail pregnancy termination services. The medical abortion option is perfect for travelers. In the USA, 29 states as well as D.C. protects abortion around 24 weeks, while 11 states have early gestational limits (6 to 15 weeks), and 14 states have near-total bans.

  • Certain exceptions apply, offering waiver in case of pregnancy resulting from incest, abuse, health contraindications, emergencies, etc.
  • When looking for interstate travel for abortion in the USA, you must consider travel logistics, adhere to regional laws, support networks, and manage symptoms safely – so that abortion tourism is a success.
  • The abortion pill schedule involves 200mg oral Mifepristone on day 1 followed by 800mcg buccal or sublingual Misoprostol 800mcg after 24 to 48 hours. It has a success rate of 95-98%, a viable alternative over surgical methods.
  • You can always obtain the abortion pill MTP Kit (Mifepristone and Misoprostol) through retail pharmacies on the internet or telehealth platform before travel.

In this blog, we will take you through the aspects to focus on medical abortion during travel, and how to safely navigate through every step.

How is the Post-Dobbs Legal Scenario?

After Dobbs, individual states have the authority to decide about norms regarding abortion:

  • To manage abortion costs, you may look for insurance coverage and Medicaid alternatives. Not every state has public and government funding options for pregnancy termination.
  •  At times, you may require extra Misoprostol dosage to completely empty the uterus. While 4 Misoprostol pills is the minimum requirement, you may need extra 4 to 8 pills in case the pregnancy is over 5 weeks and within 12 weeks.
  • Keep in mind over-the-counter medicine to manage side effects, such as Ondansetron 8mg for nausea or vomiting, Ibuprofen up to 600mg for pain and cramps, anti-diarrheal medicine, etc.

Safely Sourcing FDA-Approved Medications

Look for regulated sites that provide FDA-approved MTP Kit medications, Mifepristone 200mg and Misoprostol 200mcg x 4 pills. You may consider local clinics and providers or telehealth platforms to obtain the medicines. While local centers may charge anywhere between $300 and $800 for abortion, online MTP kits can cost lower, anywhere between $199 to $299 with doorstep delivery at your address.

  • To manage abortion costs, you may look for insurance coverage and Medicaid alternatives. Not every state has public and government funding options for pregnancy termination.
  •  At times, you may require extra Misoprostol dosage to completely empty the uterus. While 4 Misoprostol pills is the minimum requirement, you may need extra 4 to 8 pills in case the pregnancy is over 5 weeks and within 12 weeks.
  • Keep in mind over-the-counter medicine to manage side effects, such as Ondansetron 8mg for nausea or vomiting, Ibuprofen up to 600mg for pain and cramps, anti-diarrheal medicine, etc.

Essential Pre-Travel Hacks and Health Screening

Before traveling from your state to another, confirm the gestational age and pregnancy location. A whole blood and urine test can check pregnancy, an ultrasound scan can do more, letting you know about pregnancy location (intrauterine or extrauterine) and detect any complications. You may get additional tests – hemoglobin for anemia, Rh factor (RhoGAM shot if negative), etc.

  •  When booking a flight or hotel, you may consider refundable options. Keep contact with nearby 24/7 emergency care centers in case you need immediate care.
  • While you may carry funds for the abortion care, always keep some additional funds with you to cover for any miscellaneous costs.
  •  If you have a trustable person out-of-state, you can choose to keep them informed about the abortion, or have them accompany you during the procedure for assistance.

Timeline for Medical Abortion: An Example

Here is a draft timeline as to how you can plan a medical abortion out-of-state:

  • Starting Mifepristone: You can take Mifepristone mid-week, say start on a Tuesday, so that you can use Misoprostol 24 to 48 hours apart – on Thursday or Friday. You will then get a weekend in hand for rest and managing the effects.
  •  Misoprostol Intake: Make sure once you administer Misoprostol, there is no more traveling because cramping may begin in a couple of hours of taking the medicine. Heavy vaginal bleeding may start soon thereafter within 4 hours.
  • Buffer Time: Keep 3 to 5 days with you after completing the abortion pill course for pregnancy expulsion. Stay at a comfortable place at a friend or family member’s place where you will get privacy. Or you can book a room at a hotel, whichever suits you best.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some FAQs for medical abortion during travel out-of-state in the USA:

1. Which U.S. states ship abortion pills via telehealth

29 states as well as D.C. with California, New York, Illinois, and Michigan have protection laws for abortion, with bans on out-of-state interference and extradition for those obtaining medical abortion interstate in the USA.

2. Is it legal to bring abortion pills on domestic flights?

If the destination and originating state permits abortion, you can likely carry abortion pill MTP Kit on domestic flights with a doctor's prescription. We recommend checking with the state laws for provision regarding carrying these meds on flight.

If there is a ban on carrying the pills on flight, you can always take Mifepristone on the day of boarding the flight and use Misoprostol in another state. Misoprostol is also used for gastrointestinal issue management apart from abortion.

3. What do I say in a ban-state emergency care for complications?

There should not be prosecution for health emergencies. However, you can always say that you have experienced a miscarriage in case of any obstacles.

4. Do abortion funds cover U.S. travel costs?

Insurance coverage for abortion may differ from state to state and as per the plan. It is advisable to talk with the fund-provider as to the scope of coverage for abortions interstate in the USA

5. How soon can I fly after misoprostol in the USA?

We suggest you complete the abortion process in the state where you are after Misoprostol administration and keep a buffer of 3 to 5 days in hand to manage the termination outcomes before traveling back to your address. Make sure the travel involved is for a short duration, not more than a few hours.

Last updated 5 mins ago