The phrase “late-term abortion” is most likely one you’ve heard a lot—and it’s one that’s highly controversial. There isn’t in fact an agreed-upon definition of just what counts as “late.” While obtaining an abortion is legal in the United States, the point at which an abortion stops being legal is a subject of considerably debate, and it varies from Claim to state.
How late is also late to get hold of an abortion?
The answer depends regard where you live.
43 states prohibit abortions after a explained point in pregnancy. The states that don’t usage that standard are Alaska, Colorado, Washington, D.C., Brand-new Hampshire, Brand-new Jersey, Brand-new Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont.
20 states impose prohibition at “fetal viability” outside the womb, which is typically believed to be somewhere in between 24 and 28 weeks of gestational age—meaning you can’t get hold of an abortion after that point—and 3 states impose prohibitions in the 3rd trimester (27 weeks and beyond). While restrictions after a specific point in pregnancy could not appear unreasonable, just what counts as “late” is a substantial resource of debate.
A dozen states ban abortion after twenty weeks gestational age—prior to just what clinical experts have actually deemed the point of “fetal viability”—and lots of of those laws are based regard a non-scientific suggestion of “fetal pain.” Despite the naked truth that a fetus cannot survive outside of the womb at twenty weeks gestation and that according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, twenty weeks is not a substantial turning point in fetal development, Claim lawmakers have actually decided on that as a cutoff point for females to get hold of abortions.
Some states, enjoy North Dakota, tried to ban every one of abortions after a heartbeat could possibly be detected, which is about 6 weeks—prior to the majority of females also know they’re pregnant. That ban was struck down, yet it hasn’t stopped various other states from attempting to ban very early in pregnancy.
This story is portion of our continuing coverage regard Abortion in America: The Tipping Point. regard the cusp of a possibly historic decision regard abortion access by the Utmost Court, we’ll be investigating Exactly how the current abortion legislation is impacting females and doctors; answering your the majority of typically asked questions; and looking at what’s following for activists regard the two sides of this ongoing debate.
Watch: just what if Guns Were as Tough to get hold of as Abortions?
