If have an unexpected, unwanted, or untimely pregnancy and you live in Ohio, your options have been limited by the recent changes in abortion laws (Roe v. Wade) in Ohio and all across the country.
Ohio now requires a woman to undergo tests that to see if there is a fetal heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, abortion is prohibited except when there is serious risk of death or substantial impairment of a major bodily function. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. In reality, Ohio has banned abortions at approximately six weeks of gestation.
What does this mean for you? If you are a resident of Ohio 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 Ohio.
Roe v. Wade was a 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that ruled abortion was a constitutionally protected right, regardless of the laws of Ohio, 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; Ohio is one of these states.
As a pregnant woman in Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio.