If you are a pregnant woman living in Utah, your pregnancy options were reduced when the U.S. Supreme Court recently overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade law.
According to HB136, which is effective state law from June 28, 2022, abortions are banned following 18 weeks of gestation. This mean that as a resident of Utah with an unexpected, untimely, or unwanted pregnancy, abortion may no longer be an option for you in your state.
What can I do?
First, it is important to understand Roe v. Wade and the laws of Utah.
Roe v. Wade was a 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that ruled abortion was a right protected by our Constitution, regardless of the laws of Utah, or any other state. When this decision was recently overturned, this constitutional right to have an abortion was taken away.
As a pregnant woman with an unexpected, unwanted, or untimely pregnancy, 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 Utah foster care system; or
(5) consider placing the baby for adoption.
If you are thinking of developing an adoption plan, our agency, Adoption Services (www.adoptionservices.org), can help you. Since 1985, our not-for-profit agency has 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 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.
* Note: 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 Utah.