With the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the summer of 2022, each state now has the authority to restrict or allow abortion.
Abortion is permitted in Georgia for up to six weeks gestation, by which time a fetus has a detectable heartbeat. Read this article for more information about our state laws and the recommended health screenings you should schedule an abortion procedure.
What are the Abortion Laws in the state of Georgia?
At the time of this article, getting an abortion in Georgia requires first having an in-person exam by a medical professional. Abortion pills cannot be prescribed based solely on a telehealth consultation.
After the in-person exam, only physicians can prescribe an abortion if the pregnancy is less than six weeks of gestational age. For minors, their parent or guardian must be notified 24 hours prior to any termination procedure.
Risks of the Abortion Pill
If you are eligible for the abortion pill, it’s essential to understand the possible risks. According to the Mayo Clinic, potential risks of medical abortion include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
If you’re experiencing the above symptoms, you must have access to emergency medical care if taking the abortion pill.
Recommended Medical Screening
If you think you are pregnant, the recommended first step is to confirm it with a pregnancy test.
You can get a pregnancy test at your local pharmacy or at no cost at our clinic. If you test positive, we can also conduct a no-cost ultrasound at our center.
The benefits of ultrasound include learning:
- Pregnancy age. How far along you are in your pregnancy affects your abortion eligibility and treatment.
- Pregnancy location. The location can determine whether or not you are at risk for an ectopic pregnancy, which requires immediate medical attention (and treatment other than an elective abortion).
- Pregnancy viability. Some pregnancy tests will read as positive but can give a false reading if you have recently miscarried.
This important scan is crucial for you to make an informed decision. At PRC Medical, our goal is that you feel equipped to make the best choice for your health and well-being. Contact us today!