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The news regarding abortion laws around the U.S. are evolving daily. If you are pregnant and have any questions about the latest abortion law information in your state, please do not hesitate to call Adoptions With Love. We work with expectant mothers nationwide and can help you learn about the unplanned pregnancy options in your area.
Many states have been making headlines over the past few years due to significant and startling changes in their abortion laws. Georgia is one of these states, and the recent overturn on abortion care is great news for expectant mothers facing unplanned pregnancies wishing to terminate. If you are in this situation, you may be wondering what the changes to the Georgia abortion laws mean for you:
- How will these recent changes affect your future?
- What will you do about your pregnancy?
- What are your options as an expectant mother?
Currently, abortion is legal up to 22 weeks of pregnancy. It is important to know that, even with the potential to easier abortion access, you still have options. Read on, as we break down the changes to Georgia abortion laws, and the many options still available for expectant/birth mothers.
The Changes to Georgia Abortion Laws and What They Mean
In October 2023, Georgia’s Supreme Court voted to keep the state’s 6-week abortion ban, rejecting arguments that the law was unconstitutional.
This decision meant that abortion is banned in the state after the sixth week of conception – a time when many expectant parents are unaware of the pregnancy. The only exceptions are for cases of a life-threatening situation for the birth parent or if the fetus is not expected to survive the pregnancy.
More recently, changes to Georgia’s abortion laws occurred in September 2024 when a judge ruled to strike down the state’s six-week abortion ban. This ban, also known as the “heartbeat bill,” prohibited most abortions once fetal cardiac activity could be detected, usually around six weeks into pregnancy. The ruling reverted abortion access in Georgia to the prior standard, now allowing legal abortions up to around 22 weeks of pregnancy.
This decision was based on the state’s constitutional protections, with the judge stating that Georgia’s right to “liberty” includes a woman’s ability to make her own healthcare decisions. However, the ruling has been appealed by Georgia’s attorney general, and the case is headed to the state Supreme Court. While the appeal is pending, the legal status of abortion remains in flux, with the potential for the six-week ban to be reinstated depending on the outcome of the appeal.
The September 2024 updates to Georgia’s abortion laws, which allow abortions up to 22 weeks of pregnancy, represent a positive shift for women’s rights. This extension provides expectant birth mothers with more time to make informed decisions about their pregnancies, especially in cases where complications or personal circumstances arise later. The previous overhaul in Georgia abortion laws had left much uncertainty among patients and providers, leaving them wondering what their options were.
If you are facing an unexpected pregnancy in Georgia, it is important to know that you have options.
Is Abortion an Option in Georgia?
Yes. The following three basic choice remain for expectant/birth mothers in the state of Georgia:
- Adoption
- Parenthood
- Abortion
If you choose to move forward with abortion, there are many organizations that can help:
These sites offer expectant parents’ resources for abortion support – including transportation, financial assistance, and arranging for an appointment with a qualified health professional in another state.
Georgia Abortion Laws
In Georgia, with the recent overturn, expectant mothers who do not wish to carry their child to term may opt for termination up to the twenty-second week of pregnancy. Abortions are now available to expectant birth mothers who do not wish to move forward with their pregnancy, or are facing life endangerment, severely compromised physical health or lethal fetal anomaly.
This is a critical change, that could save the lives of many moving forward. As we think about the need for abortion in the sense of life endangerment, we remember Amber Nicole Thurman. Amber Nicole Thurman tragically passed away in August 2024 after suffering from sepsis. Despite being hospitalized and showing clear signs of a life-threatening infection, her condition was not treated promptly. Doctors delayed performing a Dilation and Curettage (D&C) abortion to remove remaining fetal tissue, a procedure that could have potentially saved her life. Instead, they focused on other treatments and diagnostic tests, leading to worsening complications. By the time the D&C was performed, Amber’s condition had deteriorated so severely that she required emergency surgery, including a hysterectomy. Unfortunately, her heart stopped during the operation, and she died leaving her 6-year-old son motherless. This was a total tragedy that could have been prevented if she had received the proper maternal healthcare she deserved.
The maternal mortality review committee concluded that her death could have likely been prevented if medical intervention, or a proper abortion, had occurred earlier. Amber’s death has brought significant attention to the dangers of restrictive abortion laws, as experts and reproductive rights advocates argue that these laws can lead to delays in care, even in life-threatening situations.
Adoption is an Option in Georgia
Another option for women facing an unplanned pregnancy in Georgia is adoption. While this is never an alternative to abortion, it is one that may be the right path for some expectant parents looking for another option.
Adoption is a positive choice for those not yet ready to parent. This decision is never easy, but it does have its benefits. Many birth mothers who choose adoption report feeling a sense of comfort in knowing their child is going to be placed in a safe, stable, and loving home. It can also serve as an opportunity to work toward your own personal and professional goals, while building and maintaining a relationship with the child down the road.
With open adoption, expectant/birth mothers know that their choice to lovingly make an adoption plan is not “goodbye forever.” It is, in fact, only the beginning. Thanks to open adoption, Georgia birth mothers can arrange to meet with their child’s adoptive family occasionally or receive phone calls or emails with updates. Open adoption is possible if you choose to work with an open adoption agency.
Common Misconceptions Surrounding Adoption
Adoption in the U.S. has come a long way in the past few decades. The days of secret adoptions and never-telling arrangements are gone. Most American children today who have been adopted know about their adoption and understand their birth parents’ decision. In fact, most adoptions today are open or semi-open, with about 90 percent of children reporting having positive feelings about their situation. Adoptive families today are encouraged to speak openly about the adoption, share age-appropriate information, and celebrate their child’s unique story of being loved by two families instead of one.
Dated phrases such as “give up for adoption” or “put up for adoption” are no longer used by the adoption community today. It is understood that adoption is anything but “giving up.” It is a brave, loving, and selfless choice to provide the best possible life for your child. It helps ensure that your child has a bright future, full of love and opportunity, even if you cannot parent.
Another common misconception regarding adoption is the idea that open adoption means “co-parenting” your child. While an open adoption offers the chance to have ongoing communication between birth and adoptive parents, it does not mean that a birth parent has any parental rights to the child.
Pregnant in Georgia? Find the Support You Deserve
A full-service, private Georgia adoption agency like Adoptions With Love understands the challenges that come with an unplanned pregnancy. The recent restrictions in abortion laws in Georgia are frightening and we know that it can be overwhelming to grasp your rights at this time.
Despite it all, it is important to remember that you have options, and you can get the support you deserve. Adoptions With Love supports expectant/birth parents no matter what decision they make regarding their pregnancy. We offer guidance and assistance – free of judgment, criticism, or bias. If you wish, we can help you create an adoption plan in Georgia. We can go through your options with you and connect you with the resources and support you need. We are here for you.
To learn more about adoption or your choices, reach out to Adoptions With Love. We can discuss your options and will listen to you – and always free of charge.
Call us any time at 800-722-7731, text us confidentially at 617-777-0072, or contact us online. We can help guide you through the adoption journey every step of the way.