During an abortion consultation, your provider will ask questions about your pregnancy timing, medical history, current medications, and your support system to confirm that a medication or in-clinic abortion is safe for you and that you are making an informed, voluntary choice. These questions are standard, non-judgmental, and designed solely to protect your health. There is no right or wrong answer, and you can ask questions at any time.
Questions About Your Pregnancy Timeline
Your provider must calculate your exact gestational age because abortion options and protocols change as pregnancy advances. You will be asked:
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“What was the first day of your last normal menstrual period (LMP)?” This date is the primary tool used to track how many weeks pregnant you are.
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“Are your periods usually regular, or do they skip months?” If your cycles are highly irregular, the provider may recommend an ultrasound to confirm the timeline.
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“When did you get your first positive home pregnancy test?” This helps verify the window of conception.
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“Have you had any ultrasounds during this pregnancy?” If yes, the provider will ask for those results.
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“Are you currently experiencing any sharp pain on one side of your abdomen, or any light spotting?” These specific symptoms help rule out an ectopic pregnancy, which cannot be treated with abortion pills.
Questions About Your Medical History
Certain pre-existing conditions make medication abortion unsafe or require additional precautions. Your clinician will explicitly ask:
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“Do you have a confirmed intrauterine pregnancy?” This confirms the pregnancy is inside the uterus and not ectopic.
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“Do you currently have an IUD in place?” If yes, the IUD must be safely removed by an in-person doctor before you can take abortion pills.
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“Do you take any daily blood thinners, or do you have a known bleeding disorder?” Because abortion pills cause uterine bleeding, bleeding disorders are a major concern. Learn more about how anemia affects abortion pill safety.
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“Do you have chronic adrenal failure or take long-term oral steroid medications?” Mifepristone blocks progesterone and can interfere with these treatments.
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“Do you have a known allergy to mifepristone, misoprostol, or NSAID pain relievers like ibuprofen?”
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“Do you have porphyria?” This rare genetic disorder is a contraindication for mifepristone.
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“Have you ever had a previous abortion or miscarriage?” This helps understand your reproductive history but does not affect eligibility.
Questions About Your Current Medications
Your provider needs a complete list of everything you take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements:
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“What daily medications do you take?” Include mental health prescriptions like SSRIs, blood pressure medications, seizure medications, and anything else. If you have anxiety, review can I take abortion pills if I have anxiety or panic attacks.
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“Do you take any herbal supplements or vitamins?” Some supplements like St. John’s Wort can affect how medications are metabolized.
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“Do you have rescue medications for anxiety, seizures, or other conditions?” These are typically safe to use during the abortion process, but your provider needs to know.
Questions About Safety and Consent
Telehealth abortion and in-person providers follow strict protocols to protect your personal safety and ensure you are in a secure environment:
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“Where are you physically located right now?” Clinicians are legally required to confirm you are physically within a state where they are licensed to practice. Read about what states allow telehealth abortion.
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“Are you making this decision freely and voluntarily?” Providers must ensure no partner, family member, or outside entity is forcing you into care.
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“Do you feel safe in your current living situation?” This screens for domestic violence or coercion.
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“Do you have access to a phone and reliable transportation to a medical facility within a two-hour radius in case of an emergency?” While severe complications are rare, having a backup safety plan is a standard requirement. Know the signs to go to the emergency room after taking the abortion pill.
Questions About Your Support and Aftercare
Your provider will map out your recovery plan and make sure you know what to expect from medication abortion:
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“Do you have a support person who can stay with you or check on you during the process?” While not required, having someone available is recommended.
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“What medications or comfort items do you have on hand for pain management?” Providers ensure you have access to ibuprofen and explain how to take ibuprofen before abortion pill cramps start.
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“Do you need a prescription for anti-nausea medicine?” Providers often bundle anti-nausea medicine with abortion pills.
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“What are your future plans for contraception?” Your fertility returns almost immediately. Discuss birth control options if interested.
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“Do you understand when and how to take the medications, and what to do in an emergency?” You will be asked to repeat back key instructions to confirm understanding.
What You Should NOT Be Asked
Legitimate medical providers will never ask about your immigration status, religion, political beliefs, or reasons for seeking an abortion beyond what is medically necessary. You also should not be asked to show identification if you prefer to remain anonymous, though some states have mandatory reporting laws. If you feel judged or uncomfortable, you can end the consultation and seek care elsewhere. Read our guide on is telemedicine abortion legit to understand what legitimate care looks like.
Support at Serenity Choice Health
We believe in compassionate, thorough consultations that respect your privacy and autonomy. Our telehealth abortion care includes a full consultation where you can ask your own questions and receive clear, honest answers. We also offer STI STD testing and women’s primary care services for your ongoing health needs. Do you have specific concerns you want to discuss during your consultation, or would you like to schedule a time to speak with a clinician? Contact our medical team or book a confidential appointment today.
Dr. James Carter is a board-certified physician and lead clinician at Serenity Choice Health, specializing in reproductive health access and medication abortion protocols. With over 20+ years of experience, he combines clinical expertise with patient-centered care to ensure safe, compassionate, and confidential reproductive healthcare.
