Your girlfriend has just told you she thinks she might be pregnant, and your heart drops. Your mind is whirling with questions and concerns. She thinks it is early enough in her pregnancy to take the pills for a medical abortion. However, maybe it’s more expensive than you can afford.
Typically, insurance only covers a partner if you are legally married. However, Florida is one of the states that do not allow state or federal funds to pay for abortions. Without coverage, an abortion can be very expensive.
Florida Abortion Laws
Abortion laws are always changing nationwide, and it’s important to be aware of your current state laws.
Recently, the Florida Supreme Court upheld the state’s 15-week abortion ban, triggering a 6-week ban. Beginning May 1st, abortions will be restricted for women who are more than 6 weeks pregnant unless they meet a statutory exception.
It’s also important to note that if your girlfriend is under 18, Florida has a Parental Consent and Notification law that requires her to receive written permission from a parent or guardian 48 hours before any type of abortion.
Florida also requires a 24-hour mandatory waiting period for people seeking an abortion.
Before an Abortion
If you and your partner are still considering abortion or traveling for abortion, it’s important to protect your partner’s health with a pregnancy confirmation.
Before moving on to your pregnancy decision, an ultrasound is needed. Understanding where your pregnancy is located is vital as it can alert you of any complications or concerns. An ultrasound confirms three details of your pregnancy:
- How far along you are (known as gestational age)
- Location (if the pregnancy is located within the uterus)
- Viability (if the pregnancy has a heartbeat and other signs of life)
At Grace Women’s Care Center, we offer more information on abortion and its risks.
Before moving forward with any decision, confirm your partner’s pregnancy with our free and confidential pregnancy testing and ultrasound to make an informed decision for your future.
Schedule an appointment today. You and your girlfriend are not alone.