Pregnancy Options

Pregnancy options at UCSF Health

We provide abortion care and family planning services in a private, comfortable and sensitive environment.

We care for people seeking treatment for an incomplete miscarriage or fetal death, as well as those seeking pregnancy termination due to personal circumstances or to health problems of the fetus or pregnant person.

We are dedicated to protecting your privacy. Your personal, medical and billing information will not be shared with anyone, including your family and referring doctor, without your signed consent. All UCSF Health doctors, nurses, other staff, students, trainees and volunteers abide by strict federal and state privacy and security regulations.

We provide:

• First trimester uterine aspiration for any reason, including fetal abnormalities and miscarriage
• First trimester medical abortion or medication management of miscarriage
• Second trimester surgical abortion for personal reasons, fetal death, fetal anomalies and maternal health conditions

We are committed to preventing and managing pain and have various pain control options available.

Pregnancy termination

Deciding to end your pregnancy is a personal decision only you can make. We support you and offer the care you need.

Please confirm your pregnancy with a home pregnancy test before making an appointment. You can buy one at a pharmacy or supermarket.

If you need help making decisions regarding your pregnancy, these resources may help:

• Pregnancy Options
• All-Options

We can also schedule an options counseling appointment in our clinic.

Abortion for fetal abnormalities or maternal health

Terminating a pregnancy due to fetal abnormalities or maternal health conditions can be a difficult choice. We provide first trimester uterine aspiration and second trimester surgical abortion in a supportive environment.

Experts from our prenatal diagnostic program specialize in high-risk pregnancy and fetal abnormalities. They can provide genetic counseling and testing if needed.

Miscarriage treatment

Miscarrying can be a very difficult experience. We are here to provide the medical care you need.

We offer:

• Treatment or close monitoring of an incomplete miscarriage
• Medical management to help complete a miscarriage
• First trimester uterine aspiration
• Second trimester dilation and evacuation
• Second trimester induction of labor

Contraception and future fertility

If you wish to become pregnant, we can provide information and next steps to support you.

If you want to prevent pregnancy, we can help you find a contraceptive (birth control) method that works for you, based on your health and preferences. We provide all contraceptive methods.

Nonhormonal birth control

We provide several nonhormonal birth control options:

• Condoms (internal and external)
• Copper IUD (Paragard)
• Diaphragms and cervical caps
• Natural family planning

Hormonal birth control

You have several options for hormonal birth control:

• Birth control patch or vaginal ring (NuvaRing)
• Depo-Provera, a progestin injection usually given every 12 weeks
• Nexplanon, a progestin implant placed under the skin of the upper arm
• Progestin IUD (offered in three dosages)
• Prescriptions for oral contraceptives (birth control pills)

For more information on different birth control methods, visit https://clinic.mybirthcontrol.org.

Emergency contraception

Emergency contraception (EC) pills are a safe, effective way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or when birth control fails. The sooner you take EC, the more effective it is. Ideally, you should take EC within 24 hours of unprotected sex, though it can still work if taken within 72 hours. It is not effective if you're already pregnant.

You do not need to visit a health care provider to buy EC. It is available without a prescription at pharmacies.