The overturning of Roe v. Wade left many women confused about where the abortion laws stand in their states. If you live in Ohio and are considering abortion, you should know that abortion is allowed only up until week 22 of pregnancy.
What Did Overturning Roe v. Wade Do?
Lots of change is happening concerning abortion in the states. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, about half the states are expected to enact some sort of abortion ban.
The Supreme Court initially passed Roe v. Wade in 1973, and the U.S. Constitution established a right to privacy, federally protecting every woman who wanted to go about an abortion.
However, the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case called Roe v. Wade into question five decades later. The Supreme Court determined the constitution did not confer a right to abortion. So, in June 2022, the Court overturned the original decision, and the power to decide abortion restrictions returned to the states. State governments now call the shots regarding abortion laws in their territories.
Ohio’s Current Abortion Restrictions
After the overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 27th, 2022, a six-week ban bill was enacted in the state of Ohio. This bill restricted abortion about the time a heartbeat is detected.
However, as of October 2022, abortion is legal until 22 weeks, as the six-week ban has been blocked. A judge has placed an injunction on this ban, and a lawsuit against it proceeds.
What You Need Before Abortion
If you are thinking of abortion, there are steps to take beforehand that help protect your health. First, receiving a lab-quality pregnancy test and ultrasound help to ensure your pregnancy results are accurate.
An ultrasound will confirm how far along you are and can alert you to any possible pregnancy complications. It can also ensure you have a normal, progressing pregnancy in the uterus. Pregnancies outside the uterus are ectopic and usually require immediate medical treatment.
At PDHC, we can provide you with an initial or verifying pregnancy test if you are unsure about a home pregnancy test result. Our nurses also offer ultrasounds which a doctor reviews. The nurses and trained specialists can answer many questions about your pregnancy and the options available to you.
Schedule a free appointment today to get the answers you deserve. You are not alone.