Your fears around access to abortion may have heightened due to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Many women are not sure what is legal or illegal in their state and we want to help clear up any confusion.
While you can still get an abortion in OH, there are new restrictions you need to know about to move forward with your pregnancy decision.
Heartbeat Law
On June 24, 2022, the Heartbeat Bill (Senate Bill 23) became law in Ohio. This abortion law bans access to all abortion procedures in Ohio once a heartbeat is detected by the abortion provider. Exceptions are made for the life or physical health of the woman.
Abortion Pill Online
Does the Heartbeat law affect access to the abortion pill online? In addition to the new restrictions under the Heartbeat law, Ohio law still requires an ultrasound prior to any abortion procedure, including the abortion pill.
A prescription from a physician is also required to obtain the abortion pill. That being said, you may find sites offering the abortion pill online without adhering to these requirements. Be aware that these requirements are put in place to ensure the need for and safety of taking the abortion pill. Many of these sites send the medication from other countries, making it difficult to verify the safety and effectiveness of what you are receiving.
If you choose to obtain the abortion pill online, you owe it to yourself to ensure that you are still receiving the care you need and deserve. In addition to receiving the necessary ultrasound and prescription, here are a few questions to ask the provider before ordering the pills:
- The prescribing physician’s name
- Is there someone I can contact should I experience complications
- Will I need to confirm that the abortion pills worked through ultrasound and if so, do you provide resources for me to obtain one?
Schedule a no-cost and confidential pregnancy test and ultrasound appointment at our center today to get answers.
Other Abortion Restrictions in Ohio
In addition to the banning of abortion once a heartbeat is detected, except in cases of life endangerment or severely compromised physical health, there are several other abortion requirements that you should be aware of
- State-directed counseling is required before having an abortion, including the abortion pill. This counseling must be performed by a physician, must be in person and must occur at least 24 hours prior to the abortion procedure.
- Health plans offered in Ohio’s Affordable Care Act only cover abortion in cases of life endangerment, or in cases of rape or incest.
- The parent of a minor must consent before an abortion is provided unless the minor has been legally emancipated.
- An ultrasound is necessary before obtaining an abortion since the provider must test for a fetal heartbeat. The patient shall be offered the option to view the image or not.
- The state prohibits abortions performed in response to genetic anomalies.
Confirm You’re Pregnant
If you are thinking of traveling for an abortion, it’s vital to first confirm your pregnancy to determine abortion eligibility.
Pregnancy testing is essential to verify your home pregnancy test results. Next, an ultrasound is necessary to confirm how far along you are, determine if your body is accepting the pregnancy, and the location of your pregnancy.
While ectopic pregnancies are rare, when they do occur, it is a medical emergency. Any woman experiencing an ectopic pregnancy must be seen by a physician. An ectopic pregnancy is one in which the pregnancy grows outside of the uterus and will not result in a live birth.
Failing to treat an ectopic pregnancy may be dangerous and in some cases, life threatening to the woman. Only an ultrasound can identify an ectopic pregnancy. Treatment for an ectopic pregnancy is different than an abortion and does not fall under the restrictions of the Heartbeat Law.
Find clarity today with a pregnancy confirmation appointment, at no cost to you. Get support from our compassionate team today.