The Overturning of Roe v. Wade

Abortions and Pro-Life/Pro-Choice

An abortion is a medical procedure used to end a pregnancy. Abortions are usually performed using medication or surgery. People may choose to abort their pregnancies for many reasons, including concerns about providing for the child, domestic violence or sexual assault, or even health concerns for the mother, the baby, or both.

There have been discussions about the legality and morality of abortions for quite some time. An abortion does not prevent a pregnancy like birth control does; instead, it terminates the pregnancy after the fetus is born.

Some people consider life to start as soon as the fetus is born, and by extension, consider abortions to be on the same level as murder. On the other hand, others consider life to start once the baby itself is born, and thus, don’t consider abortions as a crime. Still others consider life to start in between conception and birth, and feel that abortion should not be attempted beyond that point.

This debate led to the split between Pro-Life and Pro-Choice. Pro-Life people believe that abortion should be banned or limited in order to prevent the murder of fetuses, fetuses who they believe have life. Pro-Choice people, however, believe that abortion should be accessible to everyone at all stages of pregnancy, and that people should be free to choose whether or not they want an abortion based on their personal beliefs, desires, and/or medical conditions.

What is Roe v. Wade?

Roe v. Wade was a landmark court case that occurred in 1973. The outcome of the case made accessible abortions a constitutional right. However, as the Pro-Life/Pro-Choice debate erupted, more people were added to the Supreme Court that supported the restriction of abortions. On June 24, 2022, The Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade, giving states the choice to ban or restrict abortions.

Impacts of the new ruling

Immediately after Roe v. Wade was overturned, trigger bans were enacted in several states, including much of the South. These abortion bans were written into the state’s constitution to take effect if Congress ever restricted or repealed Roe v. Wade, and now, thirteen states have enacted trigger bans against abortion, with no exceptions for rape or incest, alongside Georgia, who enacted a ban at 6 weeks of gestation, before most people even know that they are pregnant. Other states allow restricted abortions, such as Utah, which banned abortions after 18 weeks of gestation. Anyone caught giving or receiving an illegal abortion in these states are often charged with murder.

The new bans and restrictions make it disproportionately more difficult for people to have abortions. Abortion is still a necessity for many people, especially if the pregnancy is ectopic or there are other medical concerns that are potentially life-threatening. However, for millions of pregnant people in the US, the only way to get an abortion is to travel to an area that allows them to. However, this is not possible for everyone, especially people with lower incomes, from minority communities, and from the slums— even though these people are often the people who need abortions the most— often because of travel affordability issues.

What to do if you need an abortion in the US?

If you need an abortion, the first thing to do is to check to make sure your state allows abortions.

If your state has limited-to-no restrictions on abortion, first you must choose what type of abortion you would like to have: a medication abortion (a pill), or an in-clinic or surgical abortion. You can talk to your doctor in order to make a well-informed choice.

Next, you will have to find a good abortion clinic near you. Your doctor will be able to recommend clinics to you; you can also look this information up online.

Once you find an abortion clinic, you can schedule an abortion with them. If you choose the medication abortion, you will have to visit their clinic at least once to get cleared to take the pill. (This can also be done through a telemedicine visit.) If you choose the in-clinic abortion, you can schedule it with your chosen clinic. They will let you know their procedures, and any next steps you must take.

If your state does restrict or ban abortions, and you are not able to get an in-clinic abortion, you have a couple options:

You can travel to an area that does not restrict abortions. While this option is not accessible to everyone, it is, at this time, the best and safest way to obtain an in-clinic, or surgical abortion. However, if you need help paying for the abortion, for childcare, or for travel, you can contact your local abortion fund. You can find it through the National Network of Abortion Funds at https://abortionfunds.org/need-abortion.

You can also use abortion pills. The pill is still legal in several states that have placed bans on abortions, so while it may not be your preferred option, it is possible to still get an abortion by obtaining abortion pills. The pills are safe and around 99% effective. Resources such as Plan C (https://www.plancpills.org/find-pills) can help you find where to get abortion pills, especially in areas where the pill is also banned. It’s important to note that you can only use the abortion pill up to 11 weeks of pregnancy.

Conclusion

The overturning of Roe v. Wade has greatly affected this nation, and the thousands of pregnant people who seek abortions. However, while it is much more difficult in many places, it is still possible for people to get an abortion.

Citations

Abortion Services. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-illinois/patient-resources/abortion-services. Accessed 9 Jan. 2023.

In-Clinic Abortion. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-illinois/patient-resources/abortion-services/clinic-abortion. Accessed 9 Jan. 2023.

“Need Help Paying for an Abortion?” National Network of Abortion Funds, https://abortionfunds.org/need-abortion/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2023.

Noor, Poppy, and Noa Yachot. “My State Just Banned Abortion. What Are My Options?” The Guardian, 25 June 2022. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/25/abortion-ban-options-travel-pills-financial-legal-help.

Texas: How to Get Abortion Pills | Plan C. https://www.plancpills.org/states/texas. Accessed 9 Jan. 2023.

The Abortion Pill | Get the Facts About Medication Abortion. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/abortion/the-abortion-pill. Accessed 9 Jan. 2023.

Times, The New York. “Tracking the States Where Abortion Is Now Banned.” The New York Times, 24 May 2022. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/us/abortion-laws-roe-v-wade.html.