Are you coping with an unexpected pregnancy and exploring your abortion options after the first semester has passed? It’s possible that you just recently discovered the pregnancy. Perhaps you’ve known about it for a while, but you haven’t chosen a path forward because you have limited access to care. Or, maybe the stress you’re experiencing has caused you to feel stuck in your decision-making process.
In any of these situations, a second or third trimester abortion is bound to come with unique implications for your emotional and physical health. It’s critical to process this decision and get the facts before you move forward. Avenue Women’s Center would love to partner with you as you assess your next best steps. In this blog, we’ll explore what this process may involve, focusing on the emotional aspect of your future pregnancy decision.
Avenue Women’s Center is a limited medical clinic that’s 100% committed to providing neutral and medically accurate information on any/all of a woman’s pregnancy options (abortion, adoption, and parenting). We believe that getting comprehensive, unbiased info is key to making a well-rounded choice. So is considering the possible emotional effects of any pregnancy decision. Our caring pregnancy consultants and medical professionals are here to be a neutral sounding board as you process all of this.
Learn more about our free and confidential services, and reach out to ask us your questions!
Understanding the Timetables
Let’s start by clarifying at what stages in pregnancy the second and third trimesters officially begin. According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the second trimester starts at the beginning of week 14 and continues until the gestational age has reached 27 weeks and 6 days. The third trimester starts at the beginning of week 28 and continues until the fetus is 40 weeks and 6 days along (ACOG).
2nd & 3rd Trimester Abortions: More Common than Most People Think
Abortions that take place in the second and third trimesters are considered by many to be rare in the U.S. While approximately 94% of abortions do happen within the first 13 weeks (based on data collected in 2021) (Guttmacher), abortion is so common in the U.S. that even small percentages represent a significant number of people affected. It’s believed that about 1,037,000 abortions were provided by clinicians in the U.S. in 2023. Existing data from 2021 estimates the percentages of abortions that occur at each stage of pregnancy. If we apply the 2021 percentages to the 2023 data, here are the numbers we get (Guttmacher):
- 7% of abortions occur in weeks 14-15 = Approx. 28,000 U.S. abortions
- 3% of abortions occur in weeks 16-20 = Approx. 31,100 U.S. abortions
- .9% of abortions occur at week 21 or later = Approx. 9,300 U.S. abortions
- Total combined 2nd and 3rd-trimester U.S. abortions by year = Approx. 68,400
All that to say, second and third-trimester abortions may be more common than you realize. If you’re thinking about terminating a pregnancy in these stages, you’re definitely not alone. Thousands of women across the U.S. are wrestling with the very same questions.
Questions to Ask Yourself
It can be hard to predict how you might feel emotionally after a second or third-trimester abortion. It can be hard to predict how you might feel after a first-trimester abortion too, or any pregnancy outcome. Still, ending a pregnancy beyond the initial stages of development can come with unique implications and added risks- both physical and emotional. Asking self-reflective questions can offer surprising insight into how you might feel once you’ve followed through with your decision. Consider starting with these:
- How do I feel now about the possibility of getting a second or third-trimester abortion? Feelings can change with time and experience. However, the instincts and emotions you’re noticing now may be clues indicating how you might respond to a pregnancy decision later on.
- What are my firmly held values and beliefs? Does the pregnancy decision I’m considering align with them? People tend to have the best quality of life when they’re able to make decisions that are in harmony with their deepest beliefs. Sometimes, there can be conflict between values when facing a significant, complex choice like a pregnancy decision. This makes it all the more important to carefully process your next steps before moving forward. It may take some time to reflect on your values and beliefs, and determine which ones hold the most personal significance for you.
- If I decided to have the abortion, how would I picture my life 5 years from now? 10 years? 20? (Try this exercise for adoption and parenting too). It can be very difficult to look ahead when you’re in “survival mode,” but any pregnancy decision has the potential to really impact your future. (If you’re asking the question, “How would I feel after an abortion?”, you already know this.) Consider the fact that your circumstances won’t always be as they are now. It’s impossible to say what your life will look like 5, 10, or 20 years from now. But contemplating questions like these can help you step outside of the chaos of the present, and gain insight into your true desires for the future.
Understanding the Processes
If you decide to get a second or third-trimester abortion, it’s important to understand the facts about how this process would work before moving forward. Check out our blog, “How Is Surgical Abortion Performed?”, to learn about the basic procedures involved with surgical abortion at each stage of pregnancy. Our blog communicates this information in a way that’s approachable, unbiased, and easy to understand. It’s worth noting that the abortion pill is not medically recommended for women in their second or third trimester. This method is only FDA-approved through ten weeks of pregnancy (U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)).
*Like any medical process, abortion comes with risks and isn’t medically appropriate for everyone (especially in the later gestational stages, when the pregnancy has increased in size and complexity). Be sure to connect with a doctor to review your personal health history and discuss potential risks before obtaining an abortion. Likewise, it’s critical to speak with a qualified medical professional about possible pregnancy risks, and take steps to protect your health throughout your pregnancy and beyond.
You deserve a lot of credit for asking the question, “How would I feel after a second or third trimester abortion?”. This isn’t an easy thing to consider, especially when you’re currently dealing with overwhelming stress. Rest assured, contemplating the possible emotional effects of your pregnancy decision is not only brave, but also wise, and well worth your time! Avenue Women’s Center is available to provide reliable information and unconditional emotional support as you engage in this process. Our free services, like our limited medical ultrasounds, are designed to give you the facts that you need to make an informed and health-conscious choice. Your holistic wellness is our top priority!
At Avenue, we take a personalized, compassionate approach to first-step pregnancy care. Reach out today to speak with an expert staff member! We’re here to answer your questions.
*As a limited medical clinic, Avenue does not provide or refer for abortions, offer ongoing prenatal care, or facilitate adoptions. We offer first-step pregnancy services (including medical-grade pregnancy tests, options consultations, and limited medical ultrasounds) at no cost.
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References:
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2024, January). FAQs: How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy. Retrieved from: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/how-your-fetus-grows-during-pregnancy#:~:text=Second%20trimester%20(14%20weeks%20and,ready%20to%20function%20after%20birth.
Guttmacher. (2024, June). Abortion in the United States. Retrieved from: https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/induced-abortion-united-states
U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). (2025, January). Information about Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation. Retrieved from: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/information-about-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation
The information provided here is general in nature. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a medical professional. Before any medical procedure, it is imperative that you discuss your personal medical history, risks, and concerns with your doctor. If you have questions during or after a procedure, your doctor should be immediately contacted. Avenue Women’s Center is not an emergency center. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as bleeding and/or pain, seek immediate medical attention. Contact your physician, go to an emergency room, or call 911.