In Missouri, abortion is banned unless the life of the woman is in danger.
What Did Overturning Roe v. Wade Do?
When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, abortion laws became subject to individual state laws.
Missouri had a law already in place that would ban abortion if Roe v. Wade was overturned. When this happened, Missouri became the first state to ban abortion at all stages except in cases of life endangerment.
Do Other States Allow Abortion?
Other states do allow abortion at a range of stages and have different laws than Missouri.
Since abortion is no longer an option in the state of Missouri, traveling has become something Missourians considering abortion might think about. However, we recommend taking all the necessary precautions before seeking an abortion.
What Precautions Should Women Take Before Abortion?
There are two necessary precautions every woman should take before making abortion plans.
- Having an Ultrasound Scan
An ultrasound scan will help keep you safe by determining if your pregnancy is ectopic (located outside the uterus), and how far along you are.
If the pregnancy is ectopic, most commonly when a fertilized egg implants in a fallopian tube (tubal pregnancy), you will need to seek another form of treatment. This treatment is legal in all fifty states, as ectopic pregnancy treatment isn’t abortion and can be life-threatening.
It’s dangerous to take abortion pills before knowing if you have an ectopic pregnancy because it can progress and grow without detection, possibly leading to tubal rupture.
Knowing how far along you are will also determine the kind of abortion procedure you’re eligible for. The abortion pill is only FDA-approved through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. After this, you may only qualify for surgical abortion.
- STD Testing and Treatment
Abortion disrupts the normal barrier created by the cervix. If there is an undetected and untreated STD, this can be spread further into the reproductive system.
This can turn into Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which is serious and can lead to long-term complications like infertility and chronic pelvic pain from scarring in your fallopian tubes and other pelvic organs.
Make sure to pursue STD testing and treatment before moving forward with an abortion. STDs are common and can be spread through any kind of sexual activity with an infected individual.
Here To Help With No-Cost Services
At Pregnancy Help Center of South County, we can provide you with no-cost professional pregnancy services. These include pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and more. We’re here to help support you, listen to you, and keep you safe.
Schedule a no-cost appointment today!