If you are finding yourself to be unexpectedly pregnant, you may be wondering how the overturning of Roe v. Wade affects abortion access in Ohio and the surrounding states. Abortion is currently legal, without any restrictions, in the following states: Alaska, Colorado, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont.
Is Abortion Legal in the State of Ohio?
When Roe v. Wade was overturned, this removed the federal protection of abortion. At the time of the Supreme Court’s decision, some states had laws protecting abortion, while others had “trigger bans” set to go into effect.
Ohio was one of the states with a trigger law. This law aims to restrict abortion access for pregnancies that are farther along than 6 weeks, which is typically when the fetus develops a heartbeat.
However, this trigger law is currently held up in court by an injunction, so while litigation continues, abortion is legal in our state up to 22 weeks of gestational age.
Where is Abortion Banned?
Abortion is almost completely banned in currently 14 states (although more are subject to change depending on state legislatures and court rulings). These states include: Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
It is still an ever-changing landscape as each state decides whether abortion access is restricted or protected.
What Are the Laws About Abortion in My Neighboring States?
Abortion access varies in our neighboring states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, and Kentucky.
In the state of Indiana, abortion is legal up to 22 weeks of gestational age. If you are a minor, you’ll need parental consent to obtain an abortion.
In the state of Kentucky, abortion is completely banned, although this is subject to change since the current abortion laws are being revisited by Kentucky’s Supreme Court.
In the state of Michigan, abortion is legal up to the point of viability, which is around 24-26 weeks of gestational age. This state also includes an exception of life endangerment.
In Pennsylvania, abortion access is legal up to the point of viability. The only exception is if the woman’s life is endangered by the pregnancy.
In West Virginia, abortion access is banned with very few exemptions. These include medical emergencies as well as rape and incest victims.
Next Steps
If you are considering whether or not an abortion is right for you, it’s helpful to gather more information—especially before you decide whether or not to travel out of state.
At the Pregnancy Resource Center of Athens County, we offer no-cost pregnancy testing and ultrasounds, so you can gather important health details. An ultrasound will tell you the gestational age of your pregnancy, and if it’s ectopic or viable. Ultrasound is an important step for protecting your health, no matter what you decide.
During your appointment, you can process your emotions, ask any questions, and learn more information about pregnancy options and resources.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment!