Comprehensive Information on Abortion Options and Legal Regulations
We understand there are many thoughts going through your head if you believe you’re pregnant. Let our compassionate staff provide a free of charge pregnancy test, speak with you about your concerns and give you information so you can make a fully informed decision about whether having an abortion is right for you. Our licensed medical professionals and trained patient advocates support your choice and are here to serve women from all backgrounds, listening to your concerns without judging your decisions.
Understanding Abortion Options
At Women’s Clinic of Atlanta, we provide easy-to-understand information about your abortion options, including the abortion pill. After an unwanted pregnancy diagnosis, it’s very common to have questions about types of abortions. It is important to speak to a licensed medical professional to ensure you receive factual information about each procedure option.
Medical abortion uses special medication to terminate a pregnancy. Unlike a surgical abortion, it doesn’t require anesthesia. There are different types of surgical abortions, and the method used depends on how far along you are and your preference. There are questions to be answered with both medical and surgical abortions, and it’s important you speak to a licensed medical professional about these questions before deciding.
| Type of Abortion | Description and Method |
|---|---|
| Medical Abortion (The Pill) | Uses specialized medication to end a pregnancy by stopping progesterone and causing the uterus to empty. |
| Surgical Abortion | A procedure that terminates a pregnancy; the specific method used depends on how far along the pregnancy is. |
The Abortion Pill and Medical Safety
The abortion pill, also called a medical abortion, uses a specialized medication to end a pregnancy. The abortion pill stops your body from producing a hormone needed for pregnancy called progesterone, then causes your uterus to empty. The abortion pill is often taken in two doses. It is important to know the abortion pill does come with potential side effects, so be sure to speak to our licensed medical professionals as you make your decision. Furthermore, it is important to know that at-home abortion, without an initial in-person exam could be risky.
Abortion Laws in Georgia
In Georgia, abortion is legal until the presence of a detectable human heartbeat, which is normally around six weeks. A woman must know the probable age of the fetus and if there is a heartbeat to schedule the abortion. It remains a requirement in our state to complete:
- Pregnancy verification and receive abortion education at least 24 hours prior to any abortion procedure.
- Ultrasound to confirm the gestational age of the pregnancy.
It’s important to not rush into any decision about your unwanted pregnancy, and you shouldn’t feel pressured by anyone. You should decide when you are ready.
National Legal Landscape and Shield Laws
Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, 12 states have enacted near-total abortion bans, and an additional 10 have outlawed the procedure after a certain point in pregnancy. Physicians use telehealth to prescribe and mail pills to people who live in states that ban or restrict abortion. However, on Jan. 31, a physician became the first U.S. doctor criminally charged for providing abortion pills across state lines.
Eight states — New York, Maine, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington — have passed laws since 2022 to protect doctors who mail abortion pills out of state, and thereby block or “shield” them from extradition in such cases.