With the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, you are hearing lots of conflicting information on what this means for your options. First and foremost, you have the power and strength to decide how you want to respond – will you choose to panic and make a quick decision out of fear, or will you take the time to breathe, learn about your options and make the wisest choice for you?
There is still a wide variety of options – as well as supportive resources and programs – available to women in Washington. But first, let’s clear up some of the common myths about what the overturning of Roe means for women in your state.
Fiction: Overturning Roe outlawed all abortion.
Fact: Abortion is still legal in Washington for any reason up until the age of viability.
Washington state law does not restrict abortion for any reason up until the age of viability. This means that seeking out the abortion pill (medication abortion) or surgical abortion (an in-clinic procedure) for the termination of pregnancies up to 24 – 26 weeks is still available in this state.
Before you make your choice on which pregnancy option you will choose to pursue, get the medical facts on your unique situation by receiving a free ultrasound. An ultrasound exam can also clue you into any medical complications that may be a concern for you, such as ectopic pregnancy, which we’ll discuss next.
Fiction: Ectopic pregnancy intervention is not available because of abortion bans.
Fact: No state law bans or restricts vital care to treat ectopic pregnancies.
While it may be confusing as removing ectopic pregnancies seem to be aligned with abortion procedures, they are in fact very different scenarios with distinct medical implications. Ectopic pregnancies are non-viable, meaning the pregnancy cannot continue, and delay in treatment could result in serious harm to the woman.
As a result, no state law restricts ectopic pregnancy care such as the use of methotrexate (a medication) to end an ectopic pregnancy, or emergency surgery to remove an ectopic pregnancy from a fallopian tube. This is considered a vital, emergency medical intervention across all medical communities regardless of abortion law.
If you think you’re pregnant, it is vital for you to see a medical professional for personalized, in-clinic care such as an ultrasound to ensure you are not at risk for ectopic pregnancy. Schedule your free ultrasound appointment with Pathways Clinic today.
Fiction: Miscarriage care – which involves similar procedures to abortion – will be restricted.
Fact: No state law restricts the use of these procedures for miscarriage care (after fetal death).
Some activists or advocates have raised concerns about miscarriage care, as following an incomplete miscarriage, a physician may recommend a procedure known as a D&C (dilation and curettage) to clear the uterus of any remaining tissue after fetal demise. However, as this procedure does not involve the termination of a viable pregnancy, miscarriage care is not restricted under abortion laws.
Another benefit of receiving an ultrasound is evaluating the risks of miscarriage and determining if a pregnancy is viable (continuing to progress and grow). To be confident in what pregnancy options are healthiest for you, schedule an ultrasound first to find out all the information you need to know.
Fiction: Ordering the abortion pill online is the only way to safely obtain an abortion now.
Fact: Pursuing any medical procedure online without seeing a medical professional can be dangerous. Find out information about your unique situation first.
While it may seem easy and convenient to order a pill online, the truth is that without seeing a medical professional to determine the facts about your unique pregnancy, you may be putting yourself and your health at risk. The FDA approves the use of the abortion pill to terminate pregnancies up to 10 weeks gestational age. Taking the abortion pill beyond this point in pregnancy may result in incomplete abortion or further medical complications.
To be confident in your next medical steps, it is recommended to receive an ultrasound with a medical professional for in-person care. At Pathways Clinic, we can provide this specialized care at no cost to you. Schedule your appointment today to prioritize your health and find out accurate information on the options available to you.