If you are a pregnant Indiana resident, you are affected by the recent Roe v. Wade decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Abortion in Indiana is now banned at, and after, 22 weeks of the pregnancy. Furthermore, if you are eligible for an abortion, you must make two trips for counseling with the last on at least 18 hours after the first one. If you are a minor, parental consent or notice is required for an abortion. Finally, any abortion medication must be provided in person and not by mail or telehealth.
What can I do?
So, what can you, as a pregnant woman in Indiana with an unexpected, unwanted, or untimely pregnancy do, since abortion in your state may no longer an option for you?
First, make sure you understand Roe v. Wade and the abortion laws of Indiana.
Roe v. Wade is a 1973 decision that ruled abortion is a constitutionally protected right regardless of the laws of Indiana, or any other state. The U.S. Supreme Court has now reversed Roe v. Wade, declaring that the constitutional right to abortion no longer exists.
This decision means that abortion rights will be, and are being, changed in many states including Indiana. For all practical purposes, abortion will not be available, or be very limited, in Indiana and many other states.
As a pregnant woman in Indiana, your options now may include:
(1) traveling to a state where an abortion may be possible;
(2) carrying the pregnancy and raising the child either yourself or with the birthfather, or letting the father raise the child;
(3) having a family member or friend raise the child;
(4) placing the child in the Indiana foster care system; or
(5) consider placing the baby for adoption.
If you are thinking of placing your baby for adoption, our not-for-profit agency, Adoption Services (www.adoptionservices.org), has, since 1985, completed almost 900 successful placements of babies with loving families. Our Agency, or some other fully licensed adoption agency, can help you find the perfect adopting family for your baby.
You may find the following links to be helpful:
https://www.adoptionservices.org/unplanned-pregnancy/
https://www.adoptionservices.org/abortion-alternatives/
Please consider all your options and 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.