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The news around New Hampshire’s abortion laws, and 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.
The laws surrounding abortion (in several states) have been making headlines this year. New Hampshire is one of the states in the midst of this highly debated topic. As of this writing, New Hampshire will prohibit abortion after 24 weeks of gestation starting on January 1, 2022.
This means that it will be illegal to terminate a pregnancy after 24 weeks. Additionally, any person seeking an abortion, even one that is legal, will be required to undergo an ultrasound, rather than an over-the-belly scan.
Many lawmakers and healthcare rights advocates are fighting this ruling. The changes with these laws leave many women in New Hampshire uncertain of what will happen to their rights.
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy in New Hampshire, you may have many questions surrounding the current New Hampshire abortion laws, and whether the changes will take effect as planned. You may be wondering what you will do now and how these changes could affect your future. The first thing to know is that you still have options, Read on, as we break down what the new NH abortion law covers, what it means for pregnant women and medical providers, and the many options available for expectant/birth mothers in New Hampshire.
The New Hampshire Abortion Law & How it Works
During the summer of 2020, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu (R) signed a state budget that included a 24-week abortion ban without exception to cases of rape, incest, or fetal anomaly. This means that women may only get an abortion before their 24th week of gestation, no matter the circumstances behind conception. The only exception to this abortion restriction is the life and health of mother and baby.
The new law also requires anyone seeking an abortion to get an ultrasound. New Hampshire joins 27 other states requiring ultrasounds, even for those seeking an abortion within the allotted timeframe. It is, however, not among the states requiring women also be shown the image from the ultrasound.
As democratic lawmakers in New Hampshire are pushing back against this ruling, they are also pushing to preserve the right to abortion in state law. Supporters of the bill are calling it The Access to Abortion Care Act.
New Hampshire is now one of 19 states to enact abortion restrictions within the past year – making 106 restrictions in total. According to analysis by the Guttmacher Institute, this is the most put in place in a single year since Roe v. Wade passed in 1973.
Is Abortion an Option in New Hampshire?
There are still three, basic choices for women facing an unplanned pregnancy in New Hampshire: abortion, adoption, or parenthood.
New Hampshire residents have a constitutionally protected right to decide whether and when to become a parent, and that includes the right to termination. At this time, abortion is legal in New Hampshire up until the 24th week of pregnancy. Beyond 24 weeks, abortion is prohibited unless there is a life-threatening risk to the birth mother and/or fetus.
Under the newly passed New Hampshire abortion laws, medical providers who fail to comply with this new law are subject to facing seven years in prison.
Adoption is an Option in New Hampshire
Another option that women facing an unplanned pregnancy may consider is adoption. Adoption offers benefits for everyone in the adoption triad, including expectant/birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive families.
Adoption is a positive choice for anyone who is not yet ready to parent. This choice, while difficult, offers many benefits for birth mothers. It can bring expectant/birth mothers peace of mind to know their child is in a safe, stable, and loving home. It also gives birth mothers the chance to work on their personal and professional goals, all while knowing their child is living a happy life filled with opportunity.
Thanks to open adoption, many birth mothers can feel confident in their decision to lovingly place their child with adoption. Making an adoption plan does not mean “goodbye forever.” In fact, it is just the start of this journey. With an open adoption plan, you can arrange to meet with your child’s adoptive family from time-to-time or receive phone calls or emails with updates. The form and frequency of communication may be determined with you, and an adoption professional can help guide you as you determine what type of plan will work best for you and meet your needs.
What People Still Get Wrong About Adoption Today
Modern adoption is not what it was many years ago. It is no longer a secretive subject. Most children who were adopted now know about their adoption story. In fact, most adoptions today are open or semi-open adoptions, meaning they know their biological parent(s) in some capacity. About 90 percent of children in an open adoption report having positive feelings about their circumstance. Their parents are encouraged by adoption professionals to speak about adoption, share age-appropriate information, and celebrate their child’s unique story of being loved by two families instead of one.
The terms “put up for adoption” or “give up for adoption” are dated and no longer used in the adoption community today. As anyone who has made an adoption plan could tell you, adoption is anything but “giving up.” It is a brave, loving, and selfless decision. Though difficult and, at times painful, making an adoption plan means putting your child’s needs before your own and giving them a life full of love and opportunity.
Another common misconception surrounding adoption is the notion that open adoption means co-parenting your child. Having an open adoption means there is ongoing communication between birth and adoptive parents, but it does not mean that a birth parent has any parental rights to the child. Your adoption specialist can guide you through the adoption process, offer you free legal services, and make sure you understand your rights every step of the way.
Pregnant in New Hampshire? Get the Support You Deserve
At Adoptions With Love, we understand that facing an unplanned pregnancy is a difficult and emotional. The changes to New Hampshire abortion laws can be confusing to navigate, and frustrating for those who are facing an unplanned pregnancy. We know that it can be hard to understand your rights as an expectant/birth mother – particularly at this challenging time.
You deserve support, no matter how far along you are in your pregnancy. Whether you are considering adoption or abortion, there is help available to you.
Adoptions With Love supports expectant/birth mothers in all their decisions, at all stages of pregnancy. We believe you deserve to have choices regarding your body and your baby. We are here to provide unbiased support and free education throughout your unplanned pregnancy. We can help you create an adoption plan in New Hampshire. We can discuss your options as an expectant mother in the Granite State and connect you with the resources you need to make the best possible decision for you and your child. We are here for you.
If you would like to learn more about adoption or your choices in this journey, do not hesitate to contact Adoptions With Love. We can discuss your options and will listen to you, free from judgment, pressure, and always free of charge, too.
Call us any time at 800-722-7731, text us confidentially at 617-777-0072, or contact us online. We can help you navigate the adoption journey every step of the way.