If have an unexpected, unwanted, or untimely pregnancy and you live in Nebraska, your options have been limited by the recent changes in abortion laws (Roe v. Wade) in Nebraska and across the entire country.
In Nebraska, abortion is banned at 22 weeks and later. If you are under the 22- week gestation period, you must wait 24 hours after counseling to obtain an abortion. Furthermore, medication abortion must be provided in person because Nebraska bans the use of telehealth or mailing pills. Finally, Nebraska requires an in-person visit and parental consent or notice for a minor's abortion.
What does this mean for you? If you are a resident of Nebraska and find that you are pregnant, abortion may no longer be an option for you in your state.
What can I do?
What can I do? First, it is important to understand Roe v. Wade and the laws of Nebraska.
Roe v. Wade was a 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that ruled abortion was a constitutionally protected right, regardless of the laws of Nebraska, or any other state. When this decision was overturned, this prior constitutional right to have an abortion no longer exists. As a result, many states are creating laws which make access to abortion very limited or completely unavailable to state residents; Nebraska is one of these states.
As a pregnant woman in Nebraska 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 Nebraska foster care system; or
(5) consider placing the baby for adoption.
If you are thinking of developing an adoption plan, 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 find just the right 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.
* I am a Ph.D. Psychologist, not an attorney. When it comes to the current law and legal issues, make sure to check with an attorney in Nebraska.