Can Women Die if They Can’t Have an Abortion?

There is a lot of concern that the recent changes in abortion laws may affect women’s health and safety. However, no state can deny anyone life-saving treatment, including pregnant women. 

This means that if a woman were in a state that has restrictions on abortion, she can still receive the treatment she needed to save her life. There are some life-threatening complications that can occur during pregnancy, but in these situations, life-saving treatment is allowed, regardless of the state’s abortion laws. 

Ectopic Pregnancy & Miscarriage

The two most common complications that pregnant women worry about are miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. These complications are not abortions and therefore are not subject to any bans on abortion. 

A miscarriage is a pregnancy that is not developing normally and naturally ends. A miscarriage may require medical assistance to ensure that no threats are posed to the woman and that the pregnancy has completely passed through her body.

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that has developed outside of the uterus and therefore cannot survive. Without immediate medical treatment, an ectopic pregnancy can pose life-threatening risks to the woman, including blood loss and organ damage.  

If you are pregnant or think you might be, it is important to protect your health and well-being by verifying your pregnancy with medical-grade pregnancy testing and an ultrasound to ensure that it is not ectopic or has any other possible complications. 

What If I Live In a State with an Abortion Ban?

Regardless of what state you reside in, women cannot be denied emergency life-saving treatment, including pregnant women. This letter from the Secretary of Health and Human Services reaffirms that all pregnant women can receive life-saving treatment in any state in the US. 

Questions?

We’re here to help. You owe it to yourself to have all of your questions answered and to talk about your options so that you can feel confident in your decision. Call us at 770-719-2288 to schedule a no-cost, confidential appointment today. You’re not alone.