What is an Abortion?
An abortion is classified as a termination of pregnancy. It is used in both the traditional sense- to terminate a pregnancy- but also to provide care for miscarriage patients to remove pregnancy tissue.
There are two types of abortion: Medication and Surgical
Medication abortion occurs up to the 12th week of pregnancy. It involved taking a pill by mouth. You would take 2 medications, the first of which is Mifepristone. This blocks the pregnancy hormone, thinning the lining of the uterus. The second pill is Misoprostol and is taken 24 to 48 hours after Mifepristone. This pill empties the uterus by causing it to contract and bleed.
With medication abortion, patients usually start to feel the effects shortly after taking the second pill. You can expect symptoms to include:
Bleeding and Cramping for the first 4 hours
Heavy bleeding, cramping, and blood clotting for the next several hours
Possible fever or chills for about a day. Some people feel tired, dizzy or nauseated. Remember: it affects everyone differently.​
​Surgical Abortion:
In clinic abortion works by using suction to take a pregnancy out of your uterus. There are two types of in-clinic abortion procedures. Your doctor or nurse should know which type is best for you, depending on how far you are into the pregnancy.
Suction abortion is the most common type of in-clinic abortion. It uses gentle suction to empty the uterus. It can be used until about 14-16 weeks after the last period
Dilation and Evacuation is the second type. It uses a combination of suction and medical tools to empty the uterus. This is used if it's been 16 weeks or longer.
Legal Overview
Since the Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization, abortion is no longer considered a constitutional right. That means that it is the decision of each individual state on whether to allow abortion. Below is an overview on different states abortion laws, and will be updated as legislation changes.
Each state's abortion laws
States with a complete ban
South Dakota. Arkansas. Tennessee
Idaho. Louisiana. Kentucky
Oklahoma. Mississippi. West Virginia
Texas. Alabama. Indiana
States with bans and limited exceptions
Alabama
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Status: Abortion is banned at all stages.
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Exceptions: Permitted if the pregnant person's life is at risk.
Arkansas
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​Abortion is banned at all stages
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Exceptions: Permitted if the person's life is at risk
Georgia
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Abortion is banned after 6 weeks
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Exceptions: allowed in cases of rape or incest (only If a police report was filed) or when the pregnant persons life is at risk
Idaho
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Abortion is banned at all stages
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allowed in cases of rape or incest (only If a police report was filed) or when the pregnant persons life is at risk
Indiana
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Abortion is banned at all stages
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allowed in cases of rape or incest (up to 10 weeks post-fertilization), fatal fetal anomalies or if the pregnant persons life is at risk
Iowa
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Abortion is banned after 6 weeks.
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Exceptions: Permitted in cases of rape, incest, fetal anomalies, or if the pregnant person's life is at risk.
Kentucky
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Abortion is banned at all stages.
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Exceptions: Permitted if the pregnant person's life is at risk.
Louisiana
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Abortion is banned at all stages.
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Exceptions: Allowed in cases of fatal fetal anomalies or if the pregnant person's life is at risk.
Mississippi
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Abortion is banned at all stages.
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Exceptions: Allowed in cases of rape (if reported to law enforcement) or if the pregnant person's life is at risk.
Missouri
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Abortion is banned at all stages.
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Exceptions: Permitted if the pregnant person's life is at risk.
​
States with legal abortion laws
Alaska
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Status: Abortion is legal up to viability.
Arizona
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Status: Abortion is banned after 15 weeks.
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Exceptions: Allowed to protect the life or health of the pregnant person.
California
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Status: Abortion is legal up to viability.
Colorado
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Status: Abortion is legal at all stages.
Connecticut
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Status: Abortion is legal up to viability.
Delaware
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Status: Abortion is legal up to viability.
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Exceptions: Allowed after viability if the pregnant person's life or health is at risk, or in cases of fetal anomalies.
Florida
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Status: Abortion is banned after 15 weeks.
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Exceptions: Permitted if the pregnant person's life is at risk, or in cases of fatal fetal anomalies.
Hawaii
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Status: Abortion is legal up to viability.
Illinois
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Status: Abortion is legal up to viability.
Kansas
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Status: Abortion is legal up to 22 weeks.
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Exceptions: Allowed after 22 weeks if the pregnant person's life or health is at risk.
Maine
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Status: Abortion is legal up to viability.
Maryland
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Status: Abortion is legal up to viability.
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Exceptions: Allowed after viability if the pregnant person's life or health is at risk, or in cases of fetal anomalies.
Massachusetts
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Status: Abortion is legal up to 24 weeks.
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Exceptions: Permitted after 24 weeks if the pregnant person's life or health is at risk, or in cases of fatal fetal anomalies.
Michigan
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Status: Abortion is legal up to viability.
Minnesota
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Status: Abortion is legal up to viability.
Montana
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Status: Abortion is legal up to viability.
Nebraska
Status: Abortion is banned after 20 weeks.
Addressing Misinformation and Stigma
Myth: Abortion causes long-term health problems like infertility
Fact: Whether you have a surgical or medical abortion, most women will ovulate again very soon after the abortion. This can happen even before your period returns.
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Myth: Most women end up regretting it afterwards
Fact: According to a study done by UC San Francisco, 95% of women said it was the right decision for them 5 years later. Emotional responses vary, but major trauma is rare. When mental health issues occur, they are often linked to external factors like stigma, lack of support, or existing mental health conditions- not the abortion itself.
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Myth: People use abortion as birth control
Fact: Most individuals who seek abortion carefully consider their decision. It's usually the result of factors such as failed contraception, financial instability, health risks, or life changes- not casual behavior.
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Myth: Only irresponsible people get abortions
Fact: Contrary to popular belief, the decision to get an abortion is often a responsible one. It's often based on the reasoning that the pregnant person feels they would be unable to provide the future child a good life.
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Myth: Abortion bans will stop people from getting abortions
Fact: Abortion bans only prevent safe abortions. Before Roe v Wade, women would go to extreme and dangerous lengths to obtain abortion access- often ending in death. In restricted areas, people turn to unsafe methods or travel great distances to obtain care, which disproportionately affects marginalized communities.
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