After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, a state law that banned abortion after around 6 weeks of pregnancy in Ohio went into effect on June 24, 2022. Soon after that, the ban was blocked and is being challenged in the courts. Currently, it is not in effect.
Abortion is legal in Ohio for up to 21 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy, with more restrictions in effect. If you’re considering abortion, there are a couple of steps to take to protect your health before making a final decision.
Abortion Restrictions in OH
Along with abortion only legal up to a certain gestational age, there are a couple of steps that must legally be taken to proceed with an abortion, including:
- 24-Hour Waiting Period: By state law, a pregnant woman is required to visit her abortion provider for in-person counseling and also wait 24 hours before returning to the clinic for an abortion.
- Legal Guardian Consent: If under the age of 18, she must have a parent or guardian give their permission for her to get an abortion. If getting the consent of a parent or legal guardian is not an option for some reason, a woman may seek a judicial bypass.
Confirm Your Pregnancy
Safeguarding your health with pregnancy confirmation through pregnancy testing and an ultrasound is important. This should occur before a major pregnancy decision like abortion. You owe it to yourself to know the facts when it comes to your pregnancy and your options.
After receiving a positive pregnancy test, an ultrasound is your next step. If seeking a medical abortion, it’s only FDA-approved if a pregnancy is under 10 weeks. Otherwise, surgical abortion may be your other option. That’s why an ultrasound is needed to confirm your pregnancy’s gestational age and other vital details.
An ultrasound can also determine if you’re having any complications like a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (when the pregnancy develops outside of the uterus).
Free Pregnancy Services
We at Pathway to Hope are here for you! We offer free and confidential pregnancy tests and ultrasounds to determine viability. After, we can discuss your options and offer information and guidance based on your unique situation. Contact us to speak to a staff member today.
