If you are a Pennsylvania resident and pregnant, you are affected by the recent Roe v. Wade decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Abortion in Pennsylvania is banned at 24 weeks and later and, if you are eligible for an abortion, you are forced to wait 24 hours after counseling to obtain an abortion.
So, what can you, as a pregnant woman in Pennsylvania with an unexpected, unwanted, or untimely pregnancy do, since abortion in Pennsylvania may no longer an option for you?
What can I do?
First, make sure you understand Roe v. Wade and the abortion laws of Pennsylvania.
In 1973, Roe v. Wade was an U.S. Supreme Court decision that abortion was a constitutionally protected right regardless of the laws of Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania. For all practical purposes, abortion will not be available, or be very limited, in Pennsylvania and many other states.
As a pregnant woman in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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.
* 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 Pennsylvania.