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January 22, 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a landmark legal precedent that historically protected women’s constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy. Sadly, however, this year’s anniversary is the first since the court decision was overturned.
Seven months ago, on June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade. Roe v. Wade protected women’s bodily autonomy and their right to choose. This right was upheld for nearly half a century, and the recent reversal has triggered many states to update their abortion laws. Many states have since banned the in-office medical procedure.
This controversial decision has ignited a response in communities throughout the country.
As stated by President Biden, “Millions of women now live in States with extreme bans on abortion, many without exceptions for rape and incest, or, where doctors can be jailed for providing reproductive care. Today, trailblazers who fought heroically for the Roe v. Wade decision are watching the next generation grow up without its protections.”
With changing laws and abortion bans emerging across the United States*, many women are left feeling confused about their rights. Many do not know where to go for help and support. Many are scared for their well-being. More than half of pregnancies in the United States are unplanned.
As a private adoption agency, Adoptions With Love will always advocate for your choices.
We believe that the decision to have a baby should always be the expectant parent’s choice. A woman should be able to make a choice freely, in the best interest of herself and her baby. She should never be forced to give birth.
If you are feeling pressured, confused, or unsure of what to do, you can always contact Adoptions With Love for consultation and support. We offer free, confidential counseling to expectant mothers who are researching their options. You will never be pressured into a decision when you work with our agency. We will respect any choice that you make.
Whether you have just found out you are pregnant or are several months into your pregnancy, you may have many questions surrounding your current options and rights. It is important for you to know that, no matter where you live in the United States, you still have options during your pregnancy and even after birth. You also have the right to utilize the educational services of an adoption agency. There you can find support through this challenging time.
Below, we answer common questions from expectant mothers about the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade and the options now available.
*The news surrounding abortion laws across the United States is evolving daily. If you have any questions about the latest abortion law information, please do not hesitate to call Adoptions With Love.
What Does ‘Roe v. Wade’ Mean?
When you hear the term “Roe v. Wade” you may wonder about its origin story.
Roe v. Wade was a landmark decision made by the U.S. Supreme Court on January 22, 1973. On this historic day, the Court ruled that the Constitution of the United States supported a person’s right to have an abortion. The case was brought forward by Norma McCorvey, who went by the legal pseudonym “Jane Roe”, after becoming pregnant for the third time in 1969. Her attorneys filed a lawsuit against her local district attorney, Henry Wade, claiming that Texas’s abortion laws were unconstitutional.
After a special three-judge court heard the case and ruled in favor of Jane Roe, the Supreme Court issued a 7-2 decision holding that the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides a fundamental “right to privacy,” therefore protecting a person’s right to termination.
This ruling struck down many federal and state abortion laws around the country, and sparked an ongoing debate within the U.S. about whether – or to what extent – abortions should be legal.
In 2022, Justice Samuel Alito made a claim that the 1973 ruling and subsequent high court decision cementing the law “must be overruled” because they were “egregiously wrong,” the arguments of the case “exceptionally weak” and so “damaging” that they had led to “an abuse of judicial authority.”
Alito was not alone in his opinion of Roe v. Wade. Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett all agreed with the reversal of a woman’s right to choose abortion.
Which States Have Been Impacted by the Overturning?
Though just reversed in June 2022, several states have already banned abortion as a result of the reversal of Roe v. Wade. Some of these states had trigger bans in effect, meaning abortion was set to be outlawed as soon as Roe. v. Wade was overturned.
The following states have since banned abortion:
- Arkansas
- Alabama
- Mississippi*
- Missouri
- Oklahoma*
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Wisconsin
Most of these states have made abortion illegal, with no exceptions for rape or incest. *Oklahoma and Mississippi do have limited exceptions.
The following states have abortion restrictions or bans pending:
- Florida – banned after 15 weeks of gestation
- Georgia – Banned after 6 weeks of gestation
- Kentucky – Banned after 15 weeks of gestation
- Idaho – Trigger law expected to take effect soon
- North Dakota – Banned after 22 weeks of gestation
- Ohio – Banned after 6 weeks of gestation
- South Carolina – Banned after 6 weeks of gestation
- Tennessee – Banned after 6 weeks of gestation – trigger law could soon add restrictions
- Wyoming – Trigger law expected to take effect soon
There are also states wherein abortion is safe and legal for now, but changes may be coming, such as:
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Michigan
- Montana
- Nebraska
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
If you are unsure of your rights to a safe abortion, check with your state’s health department or Planned Parenthood in your state. The abortion pill may still be available to you. You can also head to our guide regarding the abortion laws by state here:
Guide to Abortion Laws by State
You Still Have Options
At Adoptions With Love, we are all about choices. We want expectant mothers to feel safe and supported, as well as educated regarding their pregnancy options.
For those living in many states around the U.S., abortion remains to be an option if that is what you wish to pursue. Some states protect women who travel to receive this procedure or receive the abortion pill before 10 weeks of pregnancy. Some ban this procedure after a certain stage of pregnancy, so it is important to ask a professional for information regarding the current laws.
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, or if you have given birth but are not ready to parent, you may also choose between parenthood and adoption.
Adoption is a very positive choice for many expectant/birth mothers, as it:
- Gives birth parents the chance to pursue their personal or professional goals
- Provides peace of mind for birth parents, knowing the child is safe and cared for
- Comes with financial and emotional support for expectant/birth parents
- Allows birth parents to keep in touch with their child’s family over the years
Through open adoption, birth parents can maintain contact with their child and his/her family throughout life. At Adoptions With Love, expectant/birth parents have the power to choose their child’s adoptive family, and speak – or meet in person – with the adoptive parents before their baby is born or at the time of birth. You can also stay in touch over the years.
Your adoption specialist can also help you custom design an adoption plan that works for you. Whether you would like to maintain contact with your child’s adoptive family via text messages, email, phone calls, or in-person visits, you can determine the form and frequency of communication. Oftentimes, birth parents develop a strong bond with their child’s adoptive family – as they share the love of this child and maintain a relationship for many years ahead.
Whether you would like an open, semi-open, or closed adoption, your adoption counselor will respect and support your decisions. You will also be guided through the adoption journey every step of the way, ensuring that your needs are being met, while receiving the assistance you deserve during this challenging time in your life.
How Adoptive Families Feel About the Overturning of Roe v. Wade
Adoptions With Love has heard from many adoptive families since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Many send their support and empathy, as well as share feelings of shock and disappointment during this difficult time.
Adoption is not a replacement for abortion. While it is a positive option for many expectant parents, it may not be right for everyone.
While some experts expect to see a rise in adoptions as a result of the abortion restrictions being put into place, private adoption agencies want to make it clear that this is not an opportunity being celebrated.
“We’ve heard from many adoptive families that they do not want to be seen as beneficiaries of Roe v. Wade’s overturning. They do not want to benefit from this decision. Adoptive families truly want women to be educated about their options and make choices in their own free will.” – Adoptions With Love
Our focus, at Adoptions With Love, is on expectant/birth mothers and their health and well-being. We want you to feel supported and we want you to have the choices you deserve when it comes to your health, your body, and your pregnancy.
We are here for you.
Reach Out for Support
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, and you are unsure of your rights, know that you are not alone and that you can find the help you need. If you are considering adoption, or researching your options, reach out to Adoptions With Love. We offer free counseling services before and after the adoption is finalized, and we can guide you through the adoption process with the resources, information, and compassion that you deserve. Call us any time of day, any day of the week at 800-722-7731, text us confidentially at 617-777-0072, or contact us online.
