Are you further along in your pregnancy and wondering about your options? Questions like “Is late-term abortion safe?” or “Will it be more painful?” might feel overwhelming.
At Lex Specialty Clinic, we’re here to provide clear, compassionate answers to help you make a more informed decision about your health and future.
Take a moment to breathe—we’ve got you covered. This guide explores late-term abortion, including procedures, risks, pain, and legal considerations in Minnesota. Keep reading to learn
What Is Late-Term Abortion?
Late-term abortion refers to procedures performed in the second trimester (14–26 weeks) or third trimester (27–40 weeks) of pregnancy.
Late-term abortions are rare, but they do happen. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2022, 6.1% of U.S. abortions took place between 14 and 20 weeks, and 1.1% happened at or after 21 weeks.[1]
Understanding your pregnancy timeline is key. At Lex Specialty Clinic, we offer free ultrasounds to confirm how far along you are, empowering you to make the best choice for your situation.
Are Late-Term Abortions Legal in Minnesota?
Currently, abortion is legal all throughout pregnancy in Minnesota.[2]
Before choosing abortion, visit Lex Specialty Clinic for a free ultrasound. Our team will guide you through your options—whether that’s parenting, adoption, or abortion—so you feel confident in your next steps.
How Are Late-Term Abortions Performed?
Second Trimester Abortions (About 13-27 Weeks)
At this stage, the most common abortion method is called a dilation and evacuation (D&E).[3]
The provider dilates the cervix with medication or small instruments, then uses surgical tools and suction to remove the fetus in smaller pieces. This usually takes place in a clinic, though sometimes medicines are given to start labor instead (called an induction abortion), which means the woman delivers the baby and placenta after hours or even days.[4] Risks at this stage include heavy bleeding, infection, injury to the cervix or uterus, and complications from anesthesia or medication.[5]
Third Trimester Abortions (28 weeks and Later)
As mentioned above, abortion is legal at any point in pregnancy in Minnesota.[6] Later procedures are usually more involved and can take two to three days. The most common is an induction abortion, where medicines are given to start labor until delivery occurs.
Before this begins, an injection such as digoxin or potassium chloride may be used to stop the fetal heartbeat.[6] In some cases, a modified D&E is performed instead. Because risks are higher later in pregnancy, possible complications include hemorrhage, infection, uterine injury, and side effects from the medicines or anesthesia.[7]
Where Abortions are Performed and Who Can Perform Them
Many women expect hospital-level care, but in Minnesota abortions are often performed in outpatient clinics rather than hospitals.[8]
Current law also allows not only doctors, but also nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified nurse-midwives to provide abortions if they are trained to do so.[9]
What Are the Risks of Late-Term Abortion?
Like any medical procedure, late-term abortion has potential risks, including[10]:
- Cervical injury
- Infection
- Heavy bleeding
- Uterine perforation (a hole in the uterus)
- Uterine rupture (tearing of the uterus)
- Incomplete abortion (remaining tissue in the uterus)
- Need for surgical repairs to the cervix or uterus
At Lex Specialty Clinic, we’re here to discuss these risks openly, helping you weigh your options with care and understanding.
Are Late-Term Abortions Painful?
Pain levels vary from person to person, but late-term abortions often involve more discomfort than early-term procedures due to the pregnancy’s progression.
However, studies show that late-term abortions can be painful. Studies have found that women who received late-term abortions experienced more pain than they expected during their procedures.[11]
Have Questions About Late-Term Abortion in East Central, Minnesota? Contact Lex Specialty Clinic.
We understand. Considering a late-term abortion may feel overwhelming and lonely. Lex Specialty Clinic is a safe place to ask the hard questions, process your emotions, and get the care you deserve. We’re here to help you make the best decision for your health and future!
Give us a call at (763) 689-4319 or make an appointment online. All services are confidential and free of charge!
Please be aware that Lex Specialty Clinic does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- Abortion Surveillance Findings and Reports. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, November 27). https://www.cdc.gov/reproductive-health/data-statistics/abortion-surveillance-findings-reports.html
- Office of the Revisor of Statutes. (2023, January 31). CHAPTER 4–H.F.No. 1. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/2023/0/Session+Law/Chapter/4/
- ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 135: Second-Trimester Abortion. Obstet Gynecol. 2013;121(6):1394–1406.
- Peterson WF, Berry FN, Grace MR, Gulbranson CL. Second-trimester abortion by dilation and evacuation: A study of 11,747 cases. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1983;146(3):285-90.
- Diedrich JT, Drey EA, Society of Family Planning. Induction of fetal demise before abortion. Contraception. 2020;101(6):329–334.
- Minn. Stat. § 145.409, subd. 3 (2023) (Protect Reproductive Options Act establishing a fundamental right to reproductive health care, including abortion).
- Society of Family Planning Clinical Recommendation: Induction of fetal asystole before abortion. Contraception. 2024;126:112300.
- WHO. Clinical practice handbook for quality abortion care. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022.
- Minn. Laws 2023, c. 70, art. 4, § 113 (repealing hospital-only requirements for later abortion).
- Doe v. Minnesota, Second Judicial District (Ramsey County), No. 62-CV-19-3868 (July 11, 2022), aff’d Minnesota Supreme Court, A23-0620 (May 29, 2024) (invalidating physician-only mandate and related restrictions).
- Understanding Dilation and Evacuation (D&E). Saint Luke’s Health System. (n.d.). https://www.saintlukeskc.org/health-library/understanding-dilation-and-evacuation-de
- Dzuba, I. G., Chandrasekaran, S., Fix, L., Blanchard, K., & King, E. (2022, May 12). Pain, Side Effects, and Abortion Experience Among People Seeking Abortion Care in the Second Trimester. Women’s Health Reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9148646/
- Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff. (2025, May 5). Dilation and Evacuation (D&E). Health Encyclopedia. Kaiser Permanente. https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/health-encyclopedia/he.dilation-and-evacuation-d-e.tw2462
- See source #4.
- See source #3.