Second-Trimester Abortion

Terminating a Pregnancy before Viability

Any abortion performed between the 13th week of pregnancy and 27 weeks is considered a second-trimester abortion, most of which are performed before viability (24 weeks). These are legal in some regions and prohibited in others.
Second-trimester abortions are usually performed via D&E or induction. With the woman’s health and safety in mind, the abortion pill cannot be used in second-trimester abortions.
Reasons for considering a termination beyond the first trimester are usually a medical diagnosis for the fetus or woman but may also include a delayed confirmation of pregnancy or a change in relationship status.

Are Second-Trimester Abortions Legal?

Whether a second-trimester abortion is legal depends on your regional laws. Exceptions to abortion restrictions can be made in all Western countries if the woman´s life is in danger.

Elective second-trimester abortions are legal in 29 US states, including:

Utah (18 weeks), Kansas (22 weeks), California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wyoming (viability) Virginia (26+6 weeks), Alaska, Colorado, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington DC (no limit).

Other countries which allow for elective second-trimester abortions include:

The UK (24 weeks), most of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the Netherlands.

⏳ For general information on abortion limits, go to

Until When Can I Get an Abortion

For exceptions to abortion limits, go to

What is a Second-Trimester Abortion Like?

CDC data¹ shows that only 6.6% of US abortions are performed after the first trimester. This means that having a second-trimester abortion is more uncommon and should be carefully considered due to the potentially higher physical and emotional impact.

According to statistics collected by UpToDate², 98% of second-trimester abortions are performed by D&E. This is also known as laborless abortion since the fetus is removed through surgery under anesthesia. When surgery is not available or advised against by medical staff, second-trimester abortions are performed by inducing labor.

For more information on second-trimester abortion methods, go to:

Dig deeper by going to:

How Much Do Second-Trimester Terminations Cost?

The average cost of a second-trimester abortion is between $1,500 and $2,100. The pricing for a private second-trimester abortion is similar in other countries.

For more details, go to How Much Does an Abortion Cost?

Pregnant in the Second Trimester and Unsure

If you are beyond the first trimester and feel unsure about the pregnancy, there is probably a lot going through your mind. Maybe you only just realized you are pregnant, or you might have been looking forward to the baby, but all of a sudden, things have changed. Maybe you received a medical diagnosis, or you and your partner are no longer together, or your financial situation is causing you to question the pregnancy.

Whatever you are going through, take a deep breath rather than giving in to the urgency to reach a quick resolution. Now that the first trimester has passed, the time window for more simple abortion methods has already closed, so there is no need to rush. If you are considering abortion beyond the first trimester, you might live in a region that allows abortion until viability or beyond. Therefore, you will likely have several weeks or even months to decide which path to take.

If your worries and concerns are tied to raising a (special needs) child, adoption might be an option to consider.

In retrospect, many women have shared that taking the time to consider which path aligns best with their values and deepest desires contributed to their long-term happiness about their decision.

If you want further support in making an informed choice, sign up for our weeklong Decision Coaching. You will receive a daily email for seven days containing food for thought and stories of other women facing similar situations.