Abortion is a controversial and important issue, but whether you are pro-life, pro-choice, or anywhere in between, we believe that every person who can get pregnant deserves to know their options. Deciding what to do in the case of an unplanned pregnancy is not always an easy choice. If you or your partner are considering abortion, the resources listed below may be helpful. When considering abortion, it is important to evaluate your personal beliefs and talk through your options, whether it be with family, a friend, a partner, or a counselor. In this article, you will find a comprehensive list for those seeking advice, counseling, financial help, or medical assistance in regards to abortion. While SexInfo collected this information, we do not endorse any of these individual resources; it is up to the discretion of the reader to figure out what works best for them and which organizations to trust. If you would like to learn more about the different types of abortions, click these links to go to our articles on late-term abortions, medical abortions, and surgical abortions.

We would like to note that this list does not include any “crisis pregnancy centers,” which are legal in the United States, but considered unethical by many. Although these locations say that they are clinical and give the impression that they provide medical services, they do not have the same governmental oversight as healthcare facilities and they propagate misinformation by asserting religious ideology over the health and well-being of the people seeking care at these centers.¹ We mention these “centers” because we want our readers to be careful when researching their options, and there are better resources available that are comprehensive, medically accurate, and even sensitive to religious beliefs.

Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood is one of the most famous resources in the United States when it comes to providing access to sexual health resources. Many of these centers provide abortion services, but this is only a small fraction of what they do. They also provide general healthcare, such as mammograms, STI testing and treatment, birth control, emergency contraception, cancer screenings, and much more. Abortion laws and regulations differ drastically from state to state, and while not every Planned Parenthood is an abortion provider, every Planned Parenthood will discuss your options with you and help you connect with other providers in your area. Planned Parenthood has a hotline; you can call 1-800-230-PLAN to talk to Planned Parenthood about abortion services in specific communities and to make appointments and referrals. To find a health center near you in the United States, click here.

From the link provided, here is a current list of states (as of November 2019) with three or less Planned Parenthood clinics: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, *North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, West Virginia, *Wyoming.

* = no Planned Parenthoods currently in the state

If your state is listed, please be aware that while your local Planned Parenthood may not provide abortion services, abortion is still legal in all 50 states,² and has been since the passage of Roe v. Wade in 1973. While it may be difficult to access in some regions, it is still legal, and Planned Parenthood can help you find the information you need regardless of where you live in the United States. For more information about Planned Parenthood, we encourage you to visit their website.

Other Pro-Choice Resources

While Planned Parenthood is the most well-known, there are a large number of resources and organizations available to help those who are pro-choice:

• Abortion Laws in the United States: Information about laws concerning parental involvement in minor’s abortions by state.
• American Pregnancy Association: a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting pregnancy wellness through education, advocacy, and community awareness.
  • Pregnancy Educator Hotline for women and families in need: 1-800-672-2296, open Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm Central Standard Time (CST)
• National Abortion Federation: offers factual information about pregnancy and abortion on their website. For unbiased information about abortion and about other resources, including financial assistance, call toll-free at 1-800-772-9100 (Hours are 7:00 A.M.-11:00 P.M Eastern time on weekdays, 9:00 A.M.- 5:00 P.M on weekends). For referrals to quality abortion providers, call 1-877-257-0012 (Hours are 9:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M. on weekdays and 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. on Saturdays).
  • NAF Hotline Fund: The National Abortion Federation Hotline Fund offers free financial consultation for those considering abortion in the U.S. and Canada.
• Abortion Clinics Online: National and International listings of abortion clinics, links, and an entire section on birth control.
• National Network of Abortion Funds: Provides information on many abortion funds across the United States and instructions on how to apply to them.
• After Abortion Organization: Discusses all of the aftereffects of abortion. Subcategories include healing, research, testimonies, articles, and other valuable resources.
• Women’s Health Clinic: has a very detailed article about the timeline of what to expect after an abortion, either medical or surgical and includes symptoms that can be causes for concern.
• Exhale: an American organization addressing the emotional health and well-being of women and men after abortion. Founded by and for women who have had abortions, they provide and promote community-led emotional support online and offline.  Call them at 866-4-EXHALE or text them at 617-749-2948. Please refer to their website for current hotline hours.
• Project Voice: brings together personal stories of women of all ages, races, religions, backgrounds, and circumstances who have had abortions in order to create a resource of sharing and support. You can read their stories here.

Adoption Resources 

Adoption can be a great option for those who want to continue their pregnancy but are not ready for parenthood. There are countless families who struggle to conceive in the United States, and giving your child to a loving adoptive family can be a difficult but rewarding journey. We would like to briefly mention Safe Haven laws, currently in place in all 50 states in the U.S.A, which allow a parent to leave their infant at a hospital, fire station, police station, or even church depending on the state. These laws provide parents with an anonymous and safe way to leave their infant in a place where they are protected and provided with medical care until a permanent home is found. Exact statutes vary by state, and if you or someone you know is interested in a Safe Haven, you can find comprehensive information from the Child Welfare Information Gateway at this link.                     

There are several different routes a pregnant person can take when considering adoption. For more information, please refer to this list of adoption resources:

• Adoption Help: offers ongoing support for birth mothers and adoptive families, resources for single parent and LGBT adoption, and overall professional adoption services and matchmaking. They have a confidential 24/7 hotline at 800-637-7999.
• Adoption.com: Gives information on joining a birth mother community and advice on decisions, prenatal care, labor prep, and the emotions after birth.
• Considering Adoption: Offers help to decide if adoption is the right option and information on how the process of adoption works.
• Child Welfare Information Gateway: a large database of information, resources, and tools designed to educate the public about child welfare and adoption. They provide an online tool that reveals adoption assistance by state, which can be found here.
• National Council for Adoption: their mission is to meet the diverse needs of children, birth parents, adopted individuals, adoptive families, and all those touched by adoption through global advocacy, education, research, legislative action, and collaboration. Their website includes information for pregnant women, step by step analysis of the adoption process timeline, and personal stories from birth mothers and people who were adopted. Visit their website or call them at (703) 299-6633.

Pro-Life Resources and Religious Support

An unexpected pregnancy can be a stressful and conflicting time for anyone, but for those who are pro-life, there are often special internal dilemmas and spiritual hardships to consider. For religious support, your local church may be a safe place, but if not, there are organizations who will be sensitive to your spirituality while trying to help you through this difficult time. Furthermore, there are sites that aim to help those who are seeking help with their pregnancy without wanting abortion services. Here is a list:

• Option Line: Although this site has a pro-life leaning, their website has comprehensive information about pregnancy options, including adoption, parenting, and support after an abortion. They have a confidential hotline at 1-800-712-HELP or text HELPLINE to 313131.
  • Note from Option Line: These centers do not offer or refer for abortion services. The information presented on this website and given through contacting Option Line is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice. (Note found at this link)
• Ending a Wanted Pregnancy: Provides abortion grief support to those who have terminated a pregnancy due to a severe or fatal prenatal or maternal medical diagnosis.
• All-Options: offers toll-free peer counseling and support to people anywhere in the United States and Canada. They welcome calls at any point during or after pregnancy, whether callers are looking for options counseling, support before or after an abortion, or a chance to talk about parenting, pregnancy loss, adoption, or infertility. They provide support for and listen to people of all ages, gender identities, beliefs, and backgrounds at their hotline at 1-888-493-0092. They also have a Faith Aloud clergy counseling line that provides compassionate and nonjudgmental support from trained clergy and religious leaders of diverse faith backgrounds. If you would like to talk about the spiritual or religious aspects of your abortion or pregnancy experience, call 1-888-717-5010.

International Resources

Finally, we would like to provide some general crisis pregnancy resources for our international readers. Depending on what country you live in, help with an unexpected or unwanted pregnancy can be difficult, and we hope that if you cannot find help locally that these resources can assist you:

• Birthright International: an organization that provides confidential, non-judgmental, and free services to all women regardless of their circumstances. They provide relevant information, referrals, and emotional support. Check out their 24/7 free helpline at 1-800-550-4900, or you can fill out a contact form online here.
• International Planned Parenthood Federation: International sexual and reproductive health clinics funded by Planned Parenthood.
• International Helpline: provides a confidential 24/7 hotline for anyone who is experiencing emotional pain after a reproductive loss or sexual trauma, as well as help with connecting to local resources. Call their number at 1-866-482-5433 or visit their website for crisis counseling resources and more.

Concluding Remarks

As a final note, if the person who is pregnant changes their mind and decides that they no longer want to follow through with getting an abortion at any time during this process, they should not hesitate to back out. No one should feel pressured into thinking abortion is the only option, or the right option, for them. No matter what decision is made, the person who is pregnant should trust their instincts and always keep in mind that they are not alone in this process; there are many resources available that can help, such as their loved ones, abortion providers, and adoption facilities. Exploring all available resources is a crucial first step when deciding which choice is right for those dealing with an unplanned pregnancy and will help lead to the best possible outcome. We hope that we have provided enough resources to start your journey towards getting the help you need. No matter what you choose, there are many organizations that are willing to assist you with your pregnancy, including SexInfo! If you have questions regarding your pregnancy or abortion, visit our Ask the Sexperts feature for a customized and researched response.

1. Bryant, Amy G., and Jonas J. Swartz. “Why Crisis Pregnancy Centers Are Legal but Unethical.” AMA Journal of Ethics, Vol. 20, No. 3. 1 Mar. 2018, pp. 269–277.
2. Parenthood, Planned. “Is It Still Legal for Me to Get an Abortion?” Planned Parenthood, 24 May 2019.

Last Updated: December 2019.