When you can have an abortion varies across states, and there are medical concerns to keep in mind. Here’s what you need to know to make an educated decision.
Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade—the 1973 landmark ruling that protected the right to an abortion under the Constitution—the question of “how late can you get an abortion?” is as relevant as ever. Here’s what you need to know about when (and where) it’s legal and safe to get an abortion in the U.S. right now.
How Early Can You Get an Abortion?
There are two main types of abortions—medical and surgical or in-clinic. Medical abortions like the abortion pill, can be used during the first 11 weeks of pregnancy, according to Planned Parenthood.
Meanwhile, surgical abortions can be done during the first or second trimester, and include procedures such as aspiration (used up to 14 to 16 weeks after your last period) and dilation and evacuation (usually used if it’s been 16 weeks or longer since your last period).
Aspiration involves a suction either manually or by machine through a tube that goes through the cervix and empties the uterus. Dilation and evacuation involve entering the uterus through the cervix and removing tissue from the uterine lining with a scoop-like surgical instrument.
While these types of abortions are called “surgical” there are no incisions involved and it takes about 10 minutes to do, Debra Stulberg, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Chicago previously told Shape.
Morning After Pill vs. Abortion Pill
Oftentimes, people confuse the morning after pill and the abortion pill, but they are two different pills with two very different purposes. In simple terms, abortion pills end a pregnancy and morning after pills keep a pregnancy from occurring. Morning after pills do not cause an abortion, have to be used soon after having sex, and only work if you’re not already pregnant.
How Late Can You Get an Abortion?
Since the fall of Roe v. Wade, abortion options vary even more drastically between states. While many have upheld their abortion laws, some have now banned or restricted abortion in their states—many with no exceptions for rape or incest. To make matters more confusing, future access to abortion is still unclear in several states.
On the flip side, abortion remains legal—and in some cases protected by state constitutions—in certain states. Some states, for example, have no gestational limit on abortion while others limit abortion after the point of fetal viability. Under the legal standard, “viability” (the point at which a fetus can survive outside the uterus) can range from 24 to 28 weeks after the start of a person’s last period, according to the Guttmacher Institute. However, exceptions may be made if the pregnant individual’s physical, mental, or emotional health is at risk, depending on the state.
How to Find Your State’s Laws
If you’re wondering how far into a pregnancy you can have an abortion—if at all—in your state, visit the Guttmacher Insitute’s interactive map to find out the specifics of your state’s laws. Once you select or click on your state, look at the section on abortion policies for a summary.
How Safe Are Late Term Abortions?
When done in the first trimester, abortions are a safe medical procedure. The risk of major complications is less than 0.05%, according to research from the Guttmacher Institute. To put that into context, the risk of death from childbirth is 14 times greater than the risk of death from a surgical abortion procedure after the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.
That being said, the earlier the better when it comes to terminating a pregnancy. The risk of death associated with surgical abortion increases from one death per million procedures at eight or fewer weeks to nearly nine deaths per million procedures after 20 weeks’ gestation, according to Planned Parenthood.
Bottom Line
If you are considering an abortion, it’s important to know the rules in your state and how much time you have to make a decision. You also need to weigh the risks and talk to your healthcare provider, such as an OB-GYN, about what is best for you and your situation. Choosing to have an abortion is a very personal decision that can cause a variety of emotions—some will feel relief while others might feel sad or depressed. Make sure your plan includes self-care for both your physical and mental health if you choose to have an abortion.
