@@Abortion Support Resources

[wanderingback]

Reposting as requested

Sorry so long!!

I've been working in this space for many years, so these are obviously just my opinion, but here they are.
1) Please stop with talking about an "abortion underground" or "the handmaid's tale" and "coat hangers." Not helpful and damaging and offensive language.

2) The people who will most be affected by these laws are people who already experience racism and bias in the healthcare system, so always remember that before centering yourself if you aren't one of those people (this country was founded on white supremacy and these laws follow that premise). Those people include Black people, Hispanic people, immigrants, poor people, non-english speaking people, LGBTQ people, teens. (list not exclusive).

3) Unfortunately, abortion access has been in the shitter for many many years, so if you think you have a great idea about how to help, that idea is probably already out there. Support people and organizations (especially Black lead and/or grassroots community) that have been doing this work for years to decades.

4) Planned parenthood doesn't need your money. There are groups of "anonymous" funders/donors that are made up of rich millionaires and billionaires that have been and continue to give to PP and other large predominantly white organizations like NARAL, guttmacher, etc. Support resources I'm going to post below.

5) Unless you are a lawyer that studies this stuff, please don't spread misinformation that you heard. There is already mass confusion, so please don't add to it so that people aren't confused about the care they can get. Things are rapidly evolving. This is a marathon not a sprint.

6) If you want to support with housing, transportation, etc please go through vetted practical support organizations, we need to keep people safe and they already have the vetting processes in place (see resource below)

7) Medication abortion pills are effective at any weight. Mifepristone and misoprostol shelf life is a few years in a stable environment. (See info below about self managing an abortion).

8) There are a few options for emergency contraception. The most effective and effective at any weight are IUDs (either the copper one or levonorgestrel 52mcg ones - mirena or liletta). They have to be inserted within 5 days after sex without a condom, but are almost 100% effective at preventing pregnancy. The next most effective option for patients below 195 pounds is Ella, but it requires a prescription. Can be taken up to 5 days after sex without a condom but the sooner it’s taken the better. Lastly, plan B (can be bought over the counter) which can be effective for people up to 160, must be taken within 3 days of sex without a condom. Unfortunately doubling the dose of plan B for people over 160 pounds does not seem to increase its effectiveness.


Practical ways to help/spread legit info:

-Spread the word about self-managed abortion and how people can obtain pills to have a medically safe medication abortion at home. Yes this is can be legally risky (see more resources about), but medically safe for pregnancies (including above 13 weeks of pregnancy). Some information to learn more: abortiononourownterms.org/ and www.wetestify.org/self-managed-abortion and www.howtouseabortionpill.org/about/

-To find a list of vetted pharmacies that continue to send pills to people in the US go here - www.plancpills.org/

-Another resource for pills in the US - aidaccess.org/

- For people with legal questions about abortion and self managed abortion - www.reprolegalhelpline.org/

- For people with medical questions about taking pills after they receive them or medical questions about abortion in general (call/text line staffed by volunteer doctors and clinicians) - www.mahotline.org/

-For people who need bail funds or lawyers if they get arrested for pregnancy outcomes and abortion care (has been happening for years unfortunately) - reprolegaldefensefund.org/

-For information about local practical support funds (housing, childcare, transportation, etc) - apiaryps.org/

-For local abortion funds (to donate and/or volunteer, they have always been overwhelmed and continue to be so, often many are volunteer) - abortionfunds.org/

-For people who need emotional support after their abortions - exhaleprovoice.org/

-For people who need nonjudgemental support about what to do about a pregancy (parent, adopt, abortion) - www.all-options.org/

-To support independent clinics (non-Planned parenthoods) that provide most of the abortion care in this country - keepourclinics.org/

-To donate to a few groups that are helping people access care by pills/self managing - www.pledge.to/access

And most of the organizations above have individual donate buttons as well.

ETA: If you are a healthcare provider or work in health care (nurse, social worker, etc) please spread the word that you are not under any obligation to report an abortion, pregnancy outcome or self managed abortion to the police. Take care of patients in an ethical manner and don’t call the police on people

[Queen Dick, Hibernating Bear]

Thank you Wandering.

This is not a drill. Get involved.

[Queen Dick, Hibernating Bear]

wanderingback has said that it is ok to share this information to social media but please just cut and paste, don't share a link that traces back here.

[CurlyQ284]

You are amazing wanderingback! Thank you for sharing all this.

[mysteriouswife]

Can we post links to local agencies in our area? Or should we not clutter this post?

[Queen Dick, Hibernating Bear]

Jun 27, 2022 13:00:01 GMT -5 mysteriouswife said:

Can we post links to local agencies in our area? Or should we not clutter this post?

Wandering referenced the National Network of Abortion Funds. You can sort by state.


abortionfunds.org/funds/

[dexteroni]

Thank you wanderingback! This is great info.

[gottadobe]

Thank you!

[isabel]

wanderingback, if someone were to miscarry and need medication, would they need both drugs or only misoprostol?

[wanderingback]

Jun 29, 2022 20:08:12 GMT -5 isabel said:

wanderingback, if someone were to miscarry and need medication, would they need both drugs or only misoprostol?

The data shows that the most effective option for spontaneous and induced abortions is the combination of mifepristone then misoprostol. However, misoprostol only regimen is an option for both. Unfortunately since there are so many (unnecessary) restrictions on mifepristone and it’s not stocked at pharmacies, a lot of doctor’s offices don’t have it and only prescribe miso only for spontaneous abortion management.

Ive been lucky that everywhere I’ve worked since finishing residency has prioritized repro health care including abortion care and pregnancy loss care so my clinics have always stocked mifepristone so I always give it along with the miso for spontaneous abortions.

[isabel]

Jun 30, 2022 13:01:40 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Jun 29, 2022 20:08:12 GMT -5 isabel said:

wanderingback , if someone were to miscarry and need medication, would they need both drugs or only misoprostol?

The data shows that the most effective option for spontaneous and induced abortions is the combination of mifepristone then misoprostol. However, misoprostol only regimen is an option for both. Unfortunately since there are so many (unnecessary) restrictions on mifepristone and it’s not stocked at pharmacies, a lot of doctor’s offices don’t have it and only prescribe miso only for spontaneous abortion management.

Ive been lucky that everywhere I’ve worked since finishing residency has prioritized repro health care including abortion care and pregnancy loss care so my clinics have always stocked mifepristone so I always give it along with the miso for spontaneous abortions.

Thank you!

[wanderingback]

Just in case it needs to be said, please do not call or even email these hotlines/resources right now. Everyone is extremely busy and calls from reporters and people asking how they can volunteer are not helping. Leave the phones and emails open for people who really need support.

[wanderingback]

Here are 2 specific volunteer opportunities:

An all day training on abortion activism & steps you can take - www.aafront.org/operation-save-abortion/

A volunteer training to be a digital clinic escort - airtable.com/shrYRQHpm6wD6mBFJ

Both of these opportunities are with orgs and people I’ve worked with so I vouch that they are legit.