Abortion in Maryland is safe and legal

And it’s a basic health care need for millions of people who can become pregnant. In fact, about  1 in 4 people with a uterus will have at least one abortion in their lifetime. 

Currently, you can have an abortion at any point during a pregnancy in Maryland, as there are no gestational age limits on abortion. 

There are several ways to end a pregnancy, including in-clinic procedures and FDA-approved abortion pills, which can be taken at home and have less than a 1% risk of complications. Factors like the gestational age of the fetus, your medical history, and your personal preferences will help determine which methods of abortion are best for your situation. 

In pregnancies up to 10 weeks, medication abortion treatments can be completed at home through telehealth providers like Hey Jane. After completing our secure intake process online, you’ll be connected with one of our licensed medical providers. If they determine you’re eligible for treatment, you’ll receive your medication within a few days in discreet packaging, plus anti-nausea medication and ibuprofen to help with any side effects. You’ll continue to have access to our expert and compassionate clinical care team for medical and emotional support along the way.

What you need to know about Maryland abortion laws

Since 1991, the right to abortion has been codified in the state of Maryland, meaning that state law guarantees the right to abortion care. 

Maryland statutorily protects abortion rights. Every individual has a right to make autonomous decisions about their reproductive health, and pregnant people have the right to choose to continue their pregnancy or to have an abortion.

In 2023, Maryland enacted protections for abortion providers, patients, and those who assist them, from out-of-state investigations or legal actions, in addition to heightened protections for reproductive health care data and safe access to abortion facilities. 

Maryland abortion laws are constantly evolving. Stay up to date on the latest.

How late can you get an abortion in Maryland?

You can be prescribed abortion medication, a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol, up to 10 weeks after the first day of your last menstrual period.If your pregnancy is further along than that, you can get an elective in-clinic procedural abortion at any time during your pregnancy.

Who can get an abortion in Maryland? 

Anyone with a uterus can get an abortion in Maryland. There is no limit based on how far along in the pregnancy you are and there is no mandatory waiting period. If you live in a state where you’re unable to get an abortion, you can travel to Maryland to get the care that you need. 

Anyone located in Maryland - including out-of-state residents, college students, minors, and undocumented immigrants can get an abortion in Maryland. 

Parental involvement for minors is generally required in Maryland. If you're younger than 18, a parent must be notified in order for you to receive an abortion. However, a physician may waive this requirement if, in their judgment: notification would not be in the minor’s best interest or may lead to physical or emotional abuse of the minor, the minor does not live with a parent or guardian, , the minor is sufficiently mature to consent on their own, or a reasonable notice effort has been unsuccessful.

The abortion pill explained

The abortion pill is actually two medications taken separately—mifepristone and misoprostol. The first medication, mifepristone, blocks the pregnancy hormone (progesterone), which stops a pregnancy from growing. 

Then, 24-48 hours later, the second medication, misoprostol, is taken. This medication causes cramping and bleeding to empty the uterus or womb. 

For some, this treatment can feel like a heavy period, but for others, it can feel much more intense. Everyone's experience is different.  

While the majority of abortions performed in the US are medication abortions, about 73% of adults don’t know about this option, and baseless lawsuits only serve to further confuse people. If you can, use our Un-whisper Network to spread the word— to your friends, your family, your community.

Medication abortions are safe and highly effective

Medication abortion is very safe. Complications from this treatment are very uncommon— they occur in less than 1% of patients. When used correctly, the medications work up to 99.6% of the time.

Getting a medication abortion does not lower your chances of getting or staying pregnant in the future; it does not cause infertility or cause birth defects in a future pregnancy. In fact, you can get pregnant almost immediately after having an abortion.

That’s not all:

• The abortion pill is safer than Tylenol (acetaminophen)
• The abortion pill is safer than Viagra (sildenafil)

Despite myths that say otherwise, having an abortion does not increase your risk for breast cancer and does not cause depression.

How to get an abortion at home in Maryland

Telehealth abortion care is a safe and private way to get an abortion from the comfort of your home.

Hey Jane is the leading provider of at-home abortion care in the US. We offer medication abortion care for people who are at least 18 years old and are up to 10 weeks pregnant. 

At Hey Jane, we believe in providing private abortion care with holistic medical, emotional, and community support. We determine patient eligibility based on the gestational age of the pregnancy and the person’s medical history. To find out if you’re eligible, fill out our secure, online form. 

If you’re eligible, our clinical care team will guide you through the process to receive FDA-approved abortion pills. Our fast turnaround times ensure the medications are delivered quickly to your door. We offer ongoing support from our clinical care team, 24/7 support for urgent medical needs, a peer-to-peer community forum, and helpful resources. We also provide financial assistance and accept patients regardless of immigration status. 

Want to see if you’re eligible?

{{rich-text-get-started-cta}}

What to expect after taking abortion medication 

Medication #1: Mifepristone

Mifepristone blocks progesterone, the hormone that’s needed for a pregnancy to develop. Most people don’t experience any side effects and feel totally fine after taking this.

Medication #2: Misoprostol

You can choose to take the pills in your vagina or in your cheeks for Step 2. Our treatment guide goes over how to take them both ways — choose the one you prefer. The medicine works equally well either way but can cause more nausea when taken in your cheeks.

If you decide to dissolve them in your cheeks, you can take them any time between 24-48 hrs after Step 1, as best fits your schedule. If you decide that vaginal misoprostol is a good fit for you, you can take them vaginally right after taking Step 1, or up until 72 hrs after Step 1. Please know that the pills don’t always completely dissolve in the vagina, and sometimes small pill pieces can remain in the vagina or even fall out - this is ok, it doesn’t mean the medication didn’t work. This is important to know if you need to go to a hospital or care provider after taking the medication and plan to keep the abortion confidential. There is no test a doctor/health care provider can do to tell if you’ve taken medication to end a pregnancy unless they see pill fragments or pieces in the vagina.

Misoprostol is the medication that causes uterine cramping and bleeding and the cervix to open, which helps to pass the pregnancy, similar to an early miscarriage. Heavy bleeding and cramping are expected within about 4-6 hours of taking the medication. Taking ibuprofen (or, for people who are allergic, Tylenol Extra-Strength) and anti-nausea medication 30 minutes before using misoprostol can help. Depending on how many weeks pregnant someone is, they may take an additional dose of misoprostol to ensure that treatment is successful. Hey Jane’s medical providers let patients know what would be best for them.

Having some of these items on hand can help you manage the symptoms during an abortion:

• 800 mg ibuprofen or Tylenol Extra-Strength (included for all Hey Jane patients)
• Hot water or heating pad
• Warm tea or soup
• Anti-nausea medication (Hey Jane patients also receive this)
• If you have access to a support person, than can also be very helpful

Ready to start? Consult with a Hey Jane provider now.

If you still have questions or need additional help, check out our resource center or FAQs for answers to commonly asked questions.

How much does an abortion in Maryland cost?

The cost of a medication abortion can vary depending on where you get it and whether or not you use insurance. According to ANSIRH, the median cost of a medication abortion in Maryland in 2021 was $390. 

The median cost of procedural abortion services during the first trimester in Maryland in 2021 was $443, while the median cost of second-trimester procedural abortion services in Maryland was $922.

However, Maryland Medicaid covers certain abortion services for people enrolled in the state plan, and by law, private insurance plans which cover labor and delivery must also cover abortion care. 

The median cost of a medication abortion in Maryland can also be reduced with private insurance or through a virtual provider like Hey Jane for those with qualifying low incomes.

Procedural abortions are generally more expensive than medication abortions, and in-clinic medication abortions are generally more expensive than telehealth medication abortions. But cost is not the only consideration, and patients should consider all relevant factors when choosing what's best for them.

At Hey Jane, we offer income-based sliding scale pricing, accept select insurance providers, and partner with national and state-level abortion funds to help you access care. 

Curious about the cost of abortion in other states? Check out our other state guides here.

How to find an abortion clinic in Maryland

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or prefer to get an abortion in-person, there are some factors to keep in mind when searching for the right abortion clinic.  

1. First, calculate how far along you are in your pregnancy. Some clinics only offer abortion procedures up until a certain gestational age, so you’ll want to call to confirm that you’re eligible before scheduling. You may also want to consider the cost of an abortion in Maryland, which is different for medication versus procedural. INeedAnA.com is a great resource for finding abortion clinics.
2. Medicaid covers some abortion services in Maryland. If you have private insurance through your job or the exchange, you should check with your plan to review coverage. If your provider covers labor and delivery, they generally must also cover abortion services in the state of Maryland.  If you use private insurance, they are required by law to mail you an Explanation of Benefits regarding all services provided, unless you request confidentiality with regard to a specific service. If you need help or financial support, here are some great resources.
3. Beware of fake clinics! When searching for clinics online, use caution. You’ll want to avoid scheduling with a fake clinic, sometimes called a “crisis pregnancy center,” a type of organization that often appears clinical online and in-person, but are generally not medical clinics and are funded by anti-choice organizations aimed at preventing pregnant people from accessing abortion care. Horrible, we know. INeedAnA.com has a helpful search tool for locating real abortion clinics. 

How to get financial assistance 

Cost should never prevent someone from getting an abortion that they need, which is why we offer different payment options. We use income-based sliding scale pricing, accept HSA/FSA cards, and partner with select insurance plans (with more plans coming soon).

We also partner with abortion funds that can provide support for eligible patients. Abortion funds can cover the full or partial cost of treatment. Learn more about abortion funds and how they might be able to help you get the care you need.

‍

Passionate about abortion access? Take action with us and join the Un-Whisper Network. 

‍

Last updated on January 11, 2024