Fact Sheet Provides an Overview of Abortion Later in Pregnancy and Policies to Regulate It
Abortions occurring at or after 21 weeks gestational age are rare (1.4%) and difficult to obtain, yet these abortions are subject to intense public debate in the news, policy and the law.
Overview of the KFF Fact Sheet
A new KFF fact sheet provides basic information about abortion later in pregnancy in the US, including what it is, why patients may have an abortion later in pregnancy, and the laws that regulate it.
The fact sheet addresses many misconceptions about abortion later in pregnancy by defining key terms, outlining standard clinical practice, and explaining state abortion regulations that place gestational limits on abortion or ban clinicians from using certain medically-approved methods.
Key Findings and Regulatory Insights
- Procedure Rarity: Abortions occurring at or after 21 weeks gestational age are rare (1.4%) and difficult to obtain.
- Regulatory Landscape: State abortion regulations place gestational limits on abortion or ban clinicians from using certain medically-approved methods.
- Clinical Standards: The fact sheet defines key terms and outlines standard clinical practice to address common misconceptions.