Following the Overturn of Roe v. Wade, Experts Explain How Abortion Care in Your State May Be Changing
Since news broke that the U.S. Supreme Court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade (legislation that makes abortion legal on a federal level), a whirlwind of discussion around abortion access has taken off—and for good reason.
Now, more than ever, feels like a crucial time to read up on what abortion is, how it works, in what states it’s legal (which will change due to the overturn of Roe v. Wade), and perhaps most importantly, what kind of societal impacts the nationwide ban will have. As you continue to engage in what might be difficult conversations with peers, relatives, and co-workers, for ease of reference, we talked to experts for insight and outlined facts on the topic below.
What is abortion?
Abortion ends a pregnancy with medication or a medical procedure, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The college says about one in four women in the U.S. will have an abortion by age 45. “What we know from prior to Roe v. Wade, is that banning or limiting abortion does not decrease the total number of abortions performed in the U.S.,” explains Jennifer Doorey, M.D., M.S. assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Virginia. “It simply decreases the number of safe abortions.”
Why is an abortion performed?
There are various reasons why an abortion might be the best course of action for a pregnant person’s health and personal life. “Contraception fails, lives change, unexpected complications occur,” says Jen Villavicencio, M.D., fellow and lead for equity transformation at the ACOG. A 2017 study that reviewed abortion data from 14 countries found that patients most frequently cited socioeconomic concerns or family planning as their reasons for undergoing the procedure. A similar 2013 study found timing, partner-related difficulties, and the need to focus on their other children as reoccurring explanations.
Additionally, some doctors may recommend an abortion if the fetus has a medical condition that will be fatal near birth, or if the pregnancy puts the parent’s life in danger. Doorey specifically fears that the overturn of Roe v. Wade will have dire impacts on the climbing maternal mortality rate, particularly in women of color, who are the most vulnerable.
What are the types of abortion?
Abortion can be divided into two types, per the ACOG: medication and procedural abortions. The names are pretty self-explanatory—medication abortions involve taking what’s commonly known as an abortion pill, which makes the uterus expel pregnancy tissue, similar to an early miscarriage. A procedural abortion is a medical procedure that involves vacuum aspiration (a suction device) and/or instruments to remove the contents of the uterus.
Abortions using only vacuum aspiration are offered in pregnancies up to 13 weeks along, per the ACOG. Second trimester abortions (those that happen after 13 weeks of pregnancy) require dilation and evacuation (D&E), which involves pre-procedure dilation with medication or the insertion of rod-like dilators, and then removal of the uterus’ contents with instruments and a suction device.
Depending on location and insurance resources, Doorey says patients who undergo procedural abortions may have access to a variety sedation and numbing options, from having “a little bit of sedation” to being fully asleep.
What are the side effects of each type?
Medication abortions may cause vaginal bleeding much heavier than a menstrual period, per the ACOG. There may also be severe cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills. Procedural abortions may leave patients with soreness, cramps, and bleeding or spotting for up to two weeks. Pain medication is often prescribed for recovery, but most patients return to normal life within a couple of days, according to Planned Parenthood.
If unusual pain or discomfort occurs, a follow-up doctor’s appointment is usually necessary. Additionally, patients may sometimes experience temporary mental health symptoms like sadness or guilt as a part of recovery. There are multiple organization hotlines available for support, including Exhale at 617-749-2948 or All-Options at 1-888-493-0092. However, Doorey says that long-term, research shows that “the overwhelming majority of women who have abortions do not come to have any significant mental health repercussions from it.” She adds: “More people are very much affirmed, year over year, that they’ve made the right decision.”
In what states is abortion legal?
Because Roe v. Wade has been officially overturned, abortion will no longer be legal in all 50 states. Almost half of those states are expected to outlaw or severely restrict abortion as a result of this decision, according to CNBC. Laws will change quickly, and many states have laws or constitutional amendments already in place that would make ban abortion as quickly as possible.
On its website, Planned Parenthood outlines abortion access in every state now that Roe v. Wade is overturned. As of press time, Oklahoma is the only state where abortion is banned entirely, and 18 states are severely limiting access, including Texas, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, South Carolina, Missouri, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. Nine additional states have restricted access, three states have mostly accessible access, and 19 states have kept abortion accessible.
“Abortion is an essential component of comprehensive medical care,” explains Villavicencio. “Access to abortion care improves the health and well-being of those who need it, and data have long shown that restrictions to access to care only cause harm. Quite simply, people will always need access to abortion.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates. And in the meantime, check out a few abortion organizations to support, should you choose.
You Might Also Like
