Yes, women who are less than 24 weeks into pregnancy can legally access abortion in the state of Pennsylvania. At 24 weeks, abortion is prohibited except in cases of life or health endangerment.
What Types of Abortion Are There?
There are two main types of abortion: medical and surgical. Medical abortion goes by many names including the abortion pill, medication abortion, at-home abortion, and self-managed abortion.
Medical abortion is only FDA-approved through the first ten weeks of pregnancy. After this timeframe, an abortion provider may recommend surgical abortion.
Surgical abortion can be performed throughout pregnancy. However, in Pennsylvania, women are unable to receive a surgical abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy due to the current laws. There are exceptions for dangerous health situations.
Evaluate Risks of Legal Abortion
Though both types of abortion are legal in Pennsylvania, women should review the specific risks before moving forward. Both are serious medical procedures that shouldn’t be taken lightly, especially if you have certain health conditions.
Medical abortion does cause bleeding and isn’t for everyone. Mayo Clinic says medical abortion isn’t an option for women with certain medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders, certain heart or blood vessel diseases, and others.
Always talk with your doctor or a health professional before pursuing an abortion.
Taking Precautions with Ultrasound
In addition to understanding the risks, you should receive an ultrasound to understand critical details about your pregnancy. An ultrasound will tell you how many weeks you are into your pregnancy and if the pregnancy is located inside the uterus.
Pregnancies outside the uterus are considered ectopic and can be life-threatening if left untreated. Abortion pills do not treat ectopic pregnancy, so it’s best to have an ultrasound scan first before selecting this option.
How Alpha Omega Center Can Help
If you’re in the middle of an unexpected pregnancy and are looking for support and services, schedule a free appointment at our center. We provide pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and STD testing at no cost to ensure you remain safe and healthy.
We’re here to be a resource for you. If you have questions about PA’s abortion laws or need community referrals for a number of needs, we can assist you.
