Abortion in the Archive

Introduction to Abortion in the Archive - REVISED

The Archive of Healing, UCLA 

When I took this Archive live in 2020, I envisioned a place where not only could data be shared, but perspectives about healing could be shared as well. Because we were entering a quarantine, I was thinking about the ways communities have relied on unofficial knowledge. What do people do when they cannot depend on those with power to share knowledge about health and well-being? I thought that our first Special Topic should be about abortion. Much has changed since 2020 in terms of abortion in the USA. Also much has changed in regards to being able to rely on authorities to provide reliable information about our collective and personal health. In light of our revising the entire Archive of Healing in 2026, I thought we should go back and revisit that first Special Topic and ask its original author and one of our esteemed advisory board members to update it for 2026. 

Professor David Delgado Shorter, Director

 

PUBLISHED August 28, 2026

In the six years since the original publication of this article, the state of reproductive rights in the United States has deteriorated tremendously. Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022—a development that came as no shock to anyone working on reproductive rights and justice at the time. Countless measures attempting (and often succeeding) to curtail reproductive freedoms followed, and further attacks are expected.

This article has two objectives: to offer critical information about the status of abortion in the U.S., which has become increasingly fluid, and, more importantly, to outline the history of individuals and communities empowering themselves when reproductive freedom was limited by external oppression or insufficient knowledge.

Today, a growing body of healing knowledge and practice is increasingly inaccessible to laypeople as medical knowledge comes under the hegemony of the biomedical paradigm and the profiteering medical industry, rather than belonging to individuals, families, local healers, and communities. Remembering that in many cases our ancestors held ownership over their bodies and healing knowledges is one step toward decolonizing hegemonic narratives about healing. Although not comprehensive, this article nonetheless offers a summary of lay people’s attempts to find alternative methods of reproductive health care as the most effective and safe options become progressively more tightly controlled.

The limitations of the original article now feel particularly stark. Reproductive oppression cannot be fixed with do-it-yourself (DIY) abortion methods—especially as the surveillance state punishes not only those seeking abortions but even those suspected of considering one, as well as individuals who might help someone else obtain care. Rather than attempting to fill the gap in available options, we invite readers to engage with this article’s information conceptually rather than practically. Notice the many ways individuals have reclaimed power over their reproduction across time. Notice how communities have responded creatively to reproductive oppression, and how people seeking healing have come together to build collective solutions instead of remaining isolated. We may not be able to rely on the solutions of the past to achieve reproductive justice now or in the future, but we can look to the ways our ancestors gathered to heal themselves, each other, and the world as a guide for reclaiming our bodily autonomy today.

To contextualize the perpetually changing status of abortion in the U.S. and particularly the events that have transpired since this article’s publication we offer a historical overview of the subject focusing on the criminalization of abortion.

Abortion has been practiced in virtually all known societies, though social acceptance has ranged from open tolerance to secrecy and disapproval. When safe, legal abortion is unavailable, people often turn to unsafe or illegal methods. Globally, an estimated 73 million induced abortions occur each year. Of these, approximately 25 million were unsafe annually between 2010 and 2014, representing nearly half of all abortions.

In Western history, abortion was long treated as a private matter rather than a crime. Under traditional European, British, and U.S. common law—and under Catholic teaching until the late nineteenth century—abortion was permitted before “quickening” (the point at which fetal movement is first felt). By 1880, however, most of Western Europe and the United States had criminalized the practice. This shift was driven by rising abortion rates and the associated health risks of unsafe procedures, the aggressive campaign by Western-trained physicians to monopolize medical care, and elite anxieties about declining birth rates among wealthy white women. Despite criminalization, abortion remained widespread throughout much of the twentieth century and contributed significantly to falling birth rates.

In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized a constitutional right to abortion grounded in privacy rather than an absolute right to bodily autonomy. The Court simultaneously held that this right was not absolute and that states retained interests in protecting fetal life and women’s health. Scholars such as Ofrit Liviatan have argued that this dual framework—establishing a privacy right while embedding a competing fetal interest—set the stage for decades of polarized conflict between irreconcilable worldviews and enabled increasingly restrictive legal measures.

That framework collapsed in 2022 when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, returning regulation to the states. As of 2026, roughly thirteen states enforce near-total bans, while others maintain strong protections. Despite restrictions, clinician-provided abortions have remained high—approximately 1.13 million in 2025—sustained largely by telehealth medication abortion and interstate travel.

Public support for abortion rights in the U.S. remains very strong, yet stigma and criminalization pressures persist. Feminist scholar Carly Thomsen has criticized the “apologist” framing common even among reproductive rights advocates—the tendency to describe abortion as inherently difficult or to treat reducing its incidence as an uncontroversial goal. Decades of research show that many people experience abortion as a straightforward decision and report relief afterward, with severe negative psychological responses rare.

Please consume this article’s information responsibly, and please do not use herbal abortion methods.

Alex McKinley and Carole H. Browner
August 2026

 

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MARCH 4, 2020 · REVISED AND UPDATED AUGUST *** 2026

A key goal of the Archive of Healing is to democratize the knowledge and practice of healing. Because the realm of reproductive health has long been stigmatized and often inaccessible, one crucial step toward health justice is to share the long-clandestine knowledge of abortion and birth control. We also aim to contextualize the presence of reproductive care methods in the Archive. To those ends, this article outlines common methods of controlling one’s own reproduction in order to:

  1. Avoid misinformation and harmful methods 
  2. Describe abortion and contraception methods 
  3. Outline a brief history of individuals organizing to reclaim bodily autonomy

Because many individuals and communities particularly low-income, BIPOC, queer, and otherwise marginalized people face multiple structural barriers to accessing abortion services, we begin this special topic on abortion by acknowledging that these communities have always fostered mutual care. 

The following information is primarily relevant to the United States. International users are encouraged to share knowledge and practices from their communities.

The Archive of Healing does not endorse or advocate for individuals to employ any of the following practices. This information is intended for educational purposes only.

Table of Contents

  • Emergency Contraception 
  • Menstrual Extraction 
  • In-Clinic Abortion 
  • Self-Managed Medical Abortion (DIY) 
  • Herbal Abortion and Contraception 
  • Legal, Practical, Spiritual, and Emotional Support

Emergency Contraception

Within five days after unprotected sex, emergency contraception (also known as “Plan B” or “the morning-after pill”) can prevent pregnancy by delaying ovulation. It is most effective within 72 hours, preventing roughly 85% of expected pregnancies with levonorgestrel (Plan B) and slightly more with ulipristal acetate (ella). It can still work up to 120 hours (5 days), though effectiveness drops more sharply for Plan B after 72 hours, while ella maintains better efficacy across the full window.

Emergency contraception is different from the abortion pill and will not end an existing pregnancy. Most over-the-counter options (Plan B and generics) cost $20–$60 and do not require a prescription, though many pharmacies keep them behind the counter. In some states, pharmacists may refuse to dispense them on personal or religious grounds. With a prescription, insurance (including Medicaid) may cover the cost. Some clinics and Planned Parenthood centers offer it free or on a sliding scale.

Research suggests that levonorgestrel emergency contraception may be less effective for people who weigh roughly 165 pounds (75 kg) or more, particularly those with a BMI of 30 or higher. Doubling the dose is not currently recommended as a reliable strategy. Ulipristal acetate (ella) generally maintains better effectiveness at higher body weights, though its efficacy may begin to decline around 195 pounds (88 kg). For people of any weight—especially those over 165–195 pounds—the most effective form of emergency contraception is a copper IUD (or, based on emerging evidence, a hormonal LNG IUD) inserted within five days. IUDs are highly effective regardless of body weight.

Menstrual Extraction

Menstrual extraction (also called menstrual regulation or aspiration) has traditionally been used both to lighten and shorten periods and to induce very early abortion. A thin tube is inserted through the cervix to gently suction out the contents of the uterus and remove a fertilized egg up to about six weeks after fertilization. Although the practice declined in the United States after Roe v. Wade, feminist groups in the U.S. and elsewhere have continued to train one another in the technique.

Modern clinical research is limited. Drawing on anthropologist Lucile Newman’s foundational cross-cultural work, “menstrual regulation” remains a common, often safe, and accessible method in several countries, having been practiced or formally integrated into healthcare systems in places such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cuba, India, and parts of West Africa. Because the procedure requires specific skill, it should only be performed by well-trained individuals. The safest routes are local doulas, feminist networks, or clinics experienced in the method.

In-Clinic Abortion

Resources for minors and for people who are incarcerated appear in the Legal, Practical, Spiritual, and Emotional Support section below.

Most abortions in the U.S. still take place in clinics, although this is shifting with the growth of telemedicine. Medication abortion now accounts for roughly two-thirds of procedures. As of 2026, abortion is no longer legal in every state. Roughly thirteen states have near-total bans, and several others enforce early gestational limits. Many states have no abortion clinics at all. Even where abortion remains legal, in-clinic care can be difficult to access without financial or logistical support. The median self-pay cost for an early abortion using pills is around $560–$600; a first-trimester procedural abortion (a medical process performed in a clinic or physician’s offfice) averages about $650—before transportation, lodging, childcare, and lost wages. Telehealth medication abortion is often less expensive ($150–$400).

Local and national abortion funds can help cover medical costs and related expenses (travel, lodging, childcare, translation, etc.). The National Network of Abortion Funds recommends first scheduling an appointment at the nearest clinic (even if you may need to reschedule), determining how much you can pay yourself, and then contacting every relevant local and national fund. Using multiple funds usually covers more of the total cost.

To locate verified providers:
AbortionFinder.org · National Abortion Federation · INeedAnA.com · Planned Parenthood · National Network of Abortion Funds

Beware of fake clinics (crisis pregnancy centers). They do not provide abortions and instead attempt to pressure or delay the person seeking an abortion. Common red flags include refusing to state whether they provide or refer for abortion, emphasizing “free ultrasounds” or “abortion alternatives,” and appearing high in search results for “abortion clinic near me.” See ExposeFakeClinics.com for local information.

Self-Managed Medical Abortion (DIY)

Self-managed abortion (SMA) means obtaining and taking abortion medication without direct supervision from a healthcare practitioner. It does not refer to dangerous “back-alley” methods used before legalization.

In-clinic medication abortion uses mifepristone + misoprostol (96–98% effective). SMA often uses misoprostol alone (approximately 85% effective) because it is cheaper and more accessible. Misoprostol-only regimens typically involve twelve 200-mcg pills. Combined packs ordered online usually cost $150–200. Reliable information and sources include Plan C, Women on Web, and INeedAnA.

Safe SMA requires a trusted support person and proximity to emergency care. It is not recommended for people with an IUD in place, those living more than two hours from a hospital, or those with conditions worsened by blood loss.

WHO-aligned misoprostol-only protocol (under-the-tongue method): 

  1. Place 4 pills under the tongue for 30 minutes, then swallow. 
  2. Wait 3 hours; repeat with 4 pills. 
  3. Wait 3 hours; repeat with 4 pills.

Cramping and bleeding (often heavier than a period, with clots) usually begin after the second dose. Pregnancy symptoms should decrease within 24 hours. A urine pregnancy test can remain positive after a successful abortion for up to four weeks due to residual hCG—this is normal.

Seek immediate medical care for: soaking two pads per hour for more than two hours, fever of 102°F or higher, severe pain lasting more than a few hours, or foul-smelling discharge.

Legal note: In many U.S. jurisdictions, self-managing an abortion can expose a person to legal risk under various statutes. Marginalized people face higher risk of investigation. Experts advise telling healthcare providers only that a miscarriage occurred if medical care becomes necessary. There are no tests that can distinguish medication abortion from spontaneous miscarriage.

Reliable resources: SASS, Plan C, Women on Web, Reprocare, M+A Hotline.

Herbal Abortion and Contraception

Critical Warnings

  1. Inserting herbs into the vagina can cause life-threatening infections. 
  2. Essential oils of abortifacient herbs can be deadly. 
  3. Dosages vary widely; these herbs can cause liver or kidney damage. “Natural” does not mean safe. 
  4. Herbal abortion is unpredictable and more likely than not to fail. 
  5. Herbs may interact dangerously with medications or aggravate existing conditions. 
  6. Complications require immediate medical care and can be fatal without it.

Disclaimer
The Archive of Healing does not endorse herbal abortion as safe or effective. This information is provided strictly for educational purposes. Medication abortion is far safer and more reliable when accessible.

Historical Context
Many communities have long used herbs for abortion or birth control. Because women’s knowledge was often suppressed or unrecorded, the safest traditional methods may have been lost. The plants commonly listed as abortifacients today are largely those documented by male writers and nearly all are toxic in the doses required to end a pregnancy (pennyroyal being especially dangerous). Some herbs interfere with implantation; others cause contractions. Incomplete expulsion of tissue can lead to serious infection.

One relatively thorough (though now defunct) online resource was Sister Zeus (archived via the Wayback Machine). Even that site stressed that dosages are subjective and that guidance from an experienced practitioner is essential.

Herbal Contraception
As John M. Riddle documents in Eve’s Herbs, many cultures have used herbs for fertility control. These are generally less toxic than abortifacients but remain unreliable and can cause side effects. Smaller doses used as emmenagogues (to bring on menstruation) within 72 hours of sex are somewhat safer than full abortifacient regimens but still cannot be considered reliable contraception.

Legal, Practical, Spiritual, and Emotional Support

Legal Support

Practical Support

Spiritual Support

Emotional Support

 

Selected research on the safety of self-managed abortion (SMA):

Aiken, Abigail R A, Irena Digol, James Trussell, and Rebecca Gomperts. “Self-reported outcomes and adverse events after medical abortion through online telemedicine: population-based study in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.” BMJ (2017).

Grossman D, Baum SE, D Andjelic, C Tatum, G Torres, L Fuentes, et al. “A harm-reduction model of abortion counseling about misoprostol use in Peru with telephone and in-person follow-up: A cohort study.” PLoS One 13, no. 1 (2018)

Erdman, Joanna N., Kinga Jelinska, and Susan Yanow. “Understandings of Self-Managed Abortion as Health Inequity, Harm Reduction and Social Change.” Reproductive Health Matters 26, no. 54 (2018): 13-19.

Purcell, C., S. Cameron, J. Lawton, A. Glasier, and J. Harden. “Self-Management of First Trimester Medical Termination of Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study of Women’s Experiences.” BJOG 24, no. 13 (Dec 2017): 2001–2008.

 

Alex McKinley is ….

Carole Browner is Distinguished Research Professor of Anthropology, Gender Studies, and Neuroscience and Human Behavior at the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine.