FAQ and Resources

Find answers about how WAF works, how to access funding for abortion care, general information about abortion, and Wisconsin’s current legal requirements. Some questions are repeated in relevant sections to help ensure you easily find the information you are looking for. For additional support and resources, scroll to the bottom of the page. If you have further questions, please message us through our contact page.

Keep scrolling to find information on:

how WAF works

getting support for abortion care

common questions about abortion

Wisconsin abortion law

FAQs:
How WAF Works

  • Abortion funds, like WAF, help cover the costs associated with an abortion so that people can access abortion care. In the face of dangerous legislation like the Hyde Amendment, abortion funds are crucial to community care. Since 1972, WAF has funded over 30,000 abortions.

  • Abortions are prohibitively expensive for many patients who need them. The average cost of a first trimester abortion is $625. At the same time, 40% of Americans report that they would struggle to pay a $400 unexpected expense. No one should have to decide between an abortion and paying rent. You can help us actualize this vision by donating to WAF. 

    No donation is too small! When you donate to WAF, we pool all of our collective funds together to make a collective impact.

  • Your tax deductible donation to WAF helps fund the cost of medication and procedural abortions as well as the full range of costs associated with abortion access such as travel, lodging, childcare, and more.

  • WAF supports any Wisconsin residents who need an abortion (either inside or outside of Wisconsin) and people from neighboring states who have an abortion at a Wisconsin clinic. We do not require means testing, nor do we restrict funding to any gender, age, or past need.

  • To put it simply, we use gender inclusive language because we know that transgender men, non-binary, two-spirit, and gender expansive people have abortions, too!

    WAF seeks to affirm that the right to make decisions about one's own reproductive health is directly linked with all other fights for bodily autonomy. Learn more.

FAQs:
I Need an Abortion

  • WAF covers up-to the full cost of an abortion procedure. We also partner with Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) and Our Justice (OJ) to cover the cost of travel, lodging, and childcare costs associated with abortion care.

  • To access WAF funding, verbally request WAF funding prior to your abortion at your clinic. The clinic will bill us directly.

    Not sure what to say? Try saying:

    “I need support covering the cost of my abortion. Please bill the Wisconsin Abortion Fund directly.”

    OR

    “I am unable to cover the full cost of my abortion. I’d like to request $____ of funding from the Wisconsin Abortion Fund for the procedure.”

    Learn more.

  • Wisconsin currently has four abortion clinics. See available clinics below.

  • Yes! We will never ask about your documentation status.

  • WAF supports any Wisconsin residents who need an abortion (either inside or outside of Wisconsin) and people from neighboring states who have an abortion at a Wisconsin clinic. We do not require means testing, nor do we restrict funding to any gender, age, or past need.

  • Due to restrictions under Wisconsin law, some people may choose to seek abortion care in Illinois or Minnesota, where people under the age of 18 are not required to have parental consent to get an abortion, there is no state-mandated counseling, and there is no ultrasound requirement.

    In Illinois, anyone with a uterus can get an abortion until the pregnancy is viable (usually 24-26 weeks). There are no restrictions on abortion in Minnesota, making it legal at any stage of pregnancy. In Minnesota, you can also work with Just the Pill and have greater options related to telemedicine and self-facilitation of abortion care. Read more about Wisconsin law below.

  • POWERS is a group of trained and experienced all-options pregnancy counselors who can provide you with safe and accurate information and help connect you to regional, state, and local resources. The POWERS line and website have no affiliation with commercial, political or religious groups.

    Visit POWERS Website

  • Wisconsin Law requires that people who are under the age of 18 receive parental or guardian consent for an abortion. Alternatively, minors can seek a judicial bypass through the courts. Need support? Wisconsin – Repro Legal Helpline

FAQs:
Abortion Law in Wisconsin

  • Abortion is legal in Wisconsin up until 22 weeks. Wisconsin law requires informed consent, a 24-hour waiting period, and un ultrasound prior to the procedure.

    • 24-hour waiting period - People are required to receive state-directed counseling that includes information designed to discourage them from having an abortion. They then must wait 24 hours before they can have their abortion procedure. This counseling is legally required to be in person and must take place before the waiting period begins.

    • Ultrasound - Wisconsin law requires that an ultrasound must be performed with a simultaneous oral explanation of what is being depicted. The patient is not required to view the image.

    • Parental consent - Wisconsin Law requires that people who are under the age of 18 receive parental or guardian consent for an abortion. Alternatively, minors can seek a judicial bypass through the courts.

    • Health Insurance - Health plans offered in the state's health exchange under the Affordable Care Act can NOT cover the cost of an abortion, unless the patient’s life is endangered, their physical health is severely compromised, or in cases of rape or incest.

  • Wisconsin Law requires that people who are under the age of 18 receive parental or guardian consent for an abortion. Alternatively, minors can seek a judicial bypass through the courts.

    Need support? Wisconsin – Repro Legal Helpline

  • Yes! We will never ask about your documentation status.

  • Due to restrictions under Wisconsin law, some people may choose to seek abortion care in Illinois or Minnesota, where people under the age of 18 are not required to have parental consent to get an abortion, there is no state-mandated counseling, and there is no ultrasound requirement.

    In Illinois, anyone with a uterus can get an abortion until the pregnancy is viable (usually 24-26 weeks). There are no restrictions on abortion in Minnesota, making it legal at any stage of pregnancy. In Minnesota, you can also work with Just the Pill and have greater options related to telemedicine and self-facilitation of abortion care. Read more about Wisconsin law below.

FAQs:
About Abortion

  • Yes! Both procedural and medication abortion are very safe procedures with low risk of complications. In fact, abortion is safer than having tonsils or wisdom teeth removed. Medication abortion (abortion pills) are safer than Tylenol and Viagra!

  • Abortion is very common! One in four cisgender women will have an abortion by age 45. While we don’t have statistical data on  transgender men, non-binary, two-spirit, and gender expansive people, we do know they have abortions and seek competent, affirming, and compassionate abortion care. Learn more.

  • Procedural abortions are performed at a health center, where a trained healthcare provider uses gentle suction and/ or scraping to remove the embryo or fetus from the uterus. The procedure is safe and effective and typically takes less than 15 minutes. Learn more. 

    During a medication abortion, a trained healthcare provider gives you medication to take. The medication consists of two medications: Mifepristone stops development of the pregnancy by blocking progesterone and Misoprostol causes cramping that expel the pregnancy tissue.

  • Nope! Emergency contraception (such as Plan B and Ella) is  designed to stop your body from ovulating to reduce the chance of pregnancy after having sex. (Note: you can get emergency contraception over-the-counter at a pharmacy without a prescription!) Emergency contraception is NOT an option for ending a pregnancy. 


    Medication abortion is used to end a pregnancy up to 11-weeks and requires a prescription from a health center, typically from one that provides abortion services.

  • No! This is a myth touted by anti-abortion extremists. Medication and procedural abortions do not affect the ability to become pregnant in the future, though rare complications may have effects. Learn more.

Additional Resources:

Asian Americans Advancing Justice

Tips on Digital Security for Abortion/Health Privacy:

Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault (wcasa)

Service Providers and Contact Information by County:

Just the Pill

Support for Self Managed Abortion:

Repro Legal Helpline

Abortion Laws by State:

Guttmacher Institute

Ongoing Research and Updates on Reproductive Health and Rights

Get General Counseling

If you are looking for general counseling, all-options counseling is available at POWERS (Pregnancy Options Wisconsin), call (608) 514-1714.