Abortion laws in California, and in many states across the U.S., have changed because of a recent U.S. Supreme court decision. With the new laws, a pregnant woman in California with an unexpected, unwanted, or untimely pregnancy, has reduced options available to her.
Roe v. Wade, a 1973 U.S. Supreme Court, ruled that abortion was a protected right of a woman, regardless of the laws of California, or any other state. This decision was recently overturned. The result was that abortion laws in California and many other states changed.
The law now in effect in California makes abortion legal up to the point of fetal viability, generally 24–26 weeks of pregnancy. After that time, abortion is not available.
What can I do?
What does this mean for you if you are a resident of California. It means that abortion may no longer be an option for you.
As a pregnant woman in California, your options now may include:
(1) making a trip to some nearby state where an abortion may be possible;
(2) giving birth to the baby and then parenting your baby, parent the baby with the baby’s father, or let the father raise the child;
(3) let a family member or friend of you or the birth father raise the child;
(4) allow the California foster care system to take custody of the baby; or
(5) look into placing the baby for adoption with just the right family.
If you are thinking of placing your baby for adoption, our licensed not-for-profit agency, Adoption Services (www.adoptionservices.org), can help you. Over the past 37 years we have completed almost 900 successful placements of babies with loving families. Our Agency, or some other adoption agency, can and will help you.
You may find the following links to be helpful:
https://www.adoptionservices.org/unplanned-pregnancy/
https://www.adoptionservices.org/abortion-alternatives/
Please, carefully consider your situation and all of the options open to you. Then give me, Dr. Berger*, a call or click on the Contact Us button to send me an email. I will be glad to help you. There is never any cost or obligation on your part.
* I am a Ph.D. Psychologist with many years of experience in psychology and adoption, but I am not an attorney. When it comes to the law and legal issues, make sure to check with an attorney in California.