Roe v. Wade was overturned and most people have to do their own research to try to discern what this means for their state. It can create a sense of urgency for women who are facing an unexpected pregnancy and are trying to figure out what their options are.
Read this article to understand the importance of Roe v. Wade, what it means that it’s been overturned, and how this affects abortion access in the state of Ohio.
What Does it Mean that Roe v. Wade was Overturned?
On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade, which does not mean that abortion suddenly became illegal. However, it does mean that abortion is no longer a federally-protected option, and protecting or restricting abortion access is now deferred to each state to decide.
What are Ohio’s Current Abortion Laws?
Ohio was one of the states that had a “Heartbeat” law, but that law had been restricted by a federal judge from being enforced until Roe was overturned. The Heartbeat law is now in effect in Ohio. This law requires anyone performing or inducing an abortion to check for a heartbeat.
If a heartbeat is detected, an abortion cannot legally be performed. Heartbeats are generally detected around 6 weeks gestation. The only exception to this law is if the mother’s life or physical health is endangered by the pregnancy.
What Happens Now?
Ohio’s abortion laws do not prevent women from receiving medical attention for situations such as natural miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, stillbirths, or high-risk pregnancies. People still have access to the care they need in these situations.
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, the best first step is to know what options are available. At Hope Rising we offer free ultrasounds that can determine:
- if a heartbeat can be detected
- if the pregnancy is viable (up to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage)
- the location of the pregnancy (confirm that it is not an ectopic pregnancy)
- confirm the gestational age (this affects abortion eligibility in other states).
Here, you can get more information about the pregnancy process and ask questions about what your options are.
Our trained staff is here to provide you with accurate, up-to-date information and provide a confidential environment to help you navigate your options. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!