Deciding what to do about your unplanned pregnancy can be tough– especially amidst the confusion surrounding changes in abortion laws nationwide.
What options do you have in the state of Alabama?
Unless your life is at risk, abortion is not on that list.
What Are the New Abortion Laws in Alabama?
Alabama has some of the strictest laws in the nation surrounding abortion.
All abortion after the point of conception–the fertilization of an egg–is illegal. There are no exceptions for rape or incest.
This does not only include in-office procedures, but also at-home abortions. Healthcare providers can not prescribe medication via telemedicine for an abortion.
According to FindLaw’s team of legal writers, “Individuals who provide abortion services (unless the pregnancy presents a serious health risk to the unborn child’s mother), or attempt to do so, maybe charged with felonies.
- Committing an abortion is charged as a Class A felony (punishable by up to 99 years in prison); and
- Attempting an abortion is charged as a Class C felony (punishable by 1 to 10 years in prison).
There is no criminal or civil liability for women who choose to have an abortion in violation of state law.
What Can You Do?
Before you make any decision that might include traveling out of state for an abortion, there are a few next steps you should take.
- Get Counseling. This is a great chance for you to ask questions about risks associated with abortion, and alternate options that you may have.
- Get an ultrasound. An ultrasound is a good idea for several reasons. It will let you know how far along your pregnancy is, which helps you to determine which options are available to you. Many other states have gestational age limits on when an abortion can be performed, so traveling to a nearby state for an abortion may not be an option for you. It will also alert you to any complications with your health.
Where Can Pregnant Women Find Help in Alabama?
Being pregnant in the state of Alabama does not mean you have to struggle alone. There are plenty of resources that are available to you for help. Here are a couple of your options:
- Medicaid. This can help cover the costs associated with birth and prenatal care. It can also provide you with educational resources and connect you with other programs that may assist you if you decide to parent your child.
- WIC (Women’s, Infants, and Children’s program) will help you with nutritional food, diapers, and education if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or post-partum. Your kids will also qualify until age 5.
- Low-Cost Health Insurance for children. If your income is too high for Medicaid, your children may still qualify for free or low-cost health insurance.
- Free services at Women’s Care Medical Center. We offer free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and STD testing. We also offer pre-abortion screenings that cover the state-required counseling, as well as answer any questions you may have about adoption, abortion, or parenting.
If you are pregnant in Alabama, we would love to help you. You are not alone! Please contact our office today for a free and confidential consultation.
