Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, many abortion state laws have changed. You may be confused or worried about what this means for women’s rights in your area.
If you think you may be pregnant, it is important to be informed of all the facts of each pregnancy option available to you before you make your choice. Take a deep breath – there is hope and support available to you.
What does the overturning of Roe mean for women in NY?
The overturning of Roe did not eliminate access to abortion across the United States. Instead, the Supreme Court decision turned the issue of abortion access over to individual states. In the state of New York, abortion is available up until the point of viability, or 24 weeks gestational age.
This abortion access in New York includes both the abortion pill (also known as medical abortion) and surgical abortion (an in-clinic procedure). Which abortion method is available for each particular pregnancy situation depends on a number of factors, including how far along in pregnancy the patient is, as well as whether or not other medical complications are present.
It is also important to note that the Supreme Court decision does not affect care to treat ectopic pregnancies or miscarriage care, nor does any existing state law. This care is not considered abortion care, is classified differently in medical records, and should not be affected by any abortion restrictions.
What do I need to know before an abortion in NY?
If you think you may be pregnant, in order to put your health and safety first, you should take the time to know all the information about each pregnancy option available to you first. Abortion is a serious medical procedure, and you should know what to expect.
The abortion pill is approved by the FDA for the termination of early pregnancies up until 10 weeks gestational age. Though the abortion pill is more readily available online now, it is important to note that if you’re not sure about how far along you are, you ought to get this confirmed by a medical professional in person. Taking the abortion pill past 10 weeks could result in incomplete abortion or other medical complications.
For the termination of later pregnancies up until 24 weeks in the state of New York, surgical abortion is an available procedure that is in-clinic with a physician or abortion provider. Because this procedure is more involved and typically involves sedation, surgical abortion has more serious associated risks and typically carries a higher monetary cost.
Understand the Risks of Abortion
There are risks to both medical and surgical abortion to consider. Common risks of medical abortion include the following:
- The body not releasing all pregnancy tissue in the uterus, also called an incomplete abortion. This may require surgical abortion.
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work.
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding.
- Infection.
- Fever.
- Digestive symptoms such as upset stomach.
Common risks of a surgical abortion include:
- Uterine perforation (when one of the medical instruments pokes a hole in your uterus)
- Uterine scarring (which can cause future infertility and painful periods)
- Infection
- Cervical damage
Talk to a medical provider to better understand the physical risks of abortion and how it could affect you.
Confirm Your Pregnancy Details
Due to the associated risks with any type of abortion, it is imperative before making an appointment or taking the abortion pill to know the following facts about your unique pregnancy situation:
- How far along you are (and what pregnancy options are available)
- If the pregnancy is viable (or if miscarriage care is more appropriate for your situation)
- If the pregnancy is located in the uterus (or if you are at risk of ectopic pregnancy)
The best way to get these questions answered and confirmed by a medical professional is to receive an ultrasound.
For instance, if your pregnancy is not located in the uterus (ectopic pregnancy), you would need to seek immediate medical attention. Delay in the treatment of an ectopic pregnancy could result in the need for emergency surgery or other serious medical complications.
Schedule your appointment today
Our medical team at AscentCare would be happy to answer your questions and provide an ultrasound at no cost to you to help you feel confident in your next steps.
Start getting clarity by beginning with lab-quality pregnancy testing at our center at no cost. If you receive a positive pregnancy test with us, we offer no-cost ultrasounds to confirm your pregnancy details and your options.
Safeguarding your health with regular STI/STD testing is important. We offer no-cost STI/STD testing and treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea after you receive a positive pregnancy test with us. If you’re pregnant and considering abortion, STI/STD testing is needed to prevent any complications.
Schedule your free appointment today to get the information you need. We are here for you along the way.