Finding the best abortion doctor can be a difficult and emotional decision, but choosing carefully helps ensure your health and comfort during a trying time. It can be important to find a doctor who sees the procedure your way and can guide you through the process. Contacting family or friends for a recommendation is a good way to find a doctor who works well with patients like you. If asking around about an abortion doctor makes you uncomfortable, you can check for reviews of a doctor online or seek recommendations from women's health agencies.
When choosing an abortion doctor, it is also important to remember characteristics that you would appreciate in other types of doctors, like a pleasant office, a location close enough to visit for check-ups, and a comfortable bedside manner. You may want to consider whether gender is important to you when choosing an abortion doctor. Some women strongly prefer female doctors when undergoing this procedure, while some prefer to work with males, and some do not have a gender preference.
Regrettably, cost is also an issue when choosing an abortion doctor. This is less of an issue if you have insurance, but if you are uninsured or if your insurance does not cover the procedure, you will probably have to pay for it yourself. If you are not insured, talk to the doctor's office prior to the procedure to determine the cost of the procedure and whether they allow discounts or payment plans for low-income patients.
A good way to find a low-cost doctor is through non-profit assistance organizations offering referrals for women's health and pregnancy termination services. These are available in most areas. Planned Parenthood® and the National Abortion Federation® offer resources and information about women's services in most areas in the United States.
Terminating a pregnancy can be a touchy subject for many people. It is important to choose a doctor who shares or respects your feelings about ending a pregnancy. You can arrange to meet the doctor prior to scheduling an appointment to make sure you are comfortable with his demeanor and stance on ending a pregnancy.
If you are a minor, your doctor may want to inform your parents if you go through with the procedure. It may be a good idea to ask if this is your doctor's policy if this applies to you. Go with your gut; if the situation does not seem comfortable for you, evaluate some other doctors to find one who meets your needs.