Can I Still Get an Abortion in Virginia?

Think you might be pregnant? You probably have a lot going on right now. Stop and take a moment to breathe and know that you’re not alone. There is help and support for you. 

You may be confused about what the recent Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade means for you and abortion. 

Is Abortion Still Legal in Virginia? 

Under Virginia state law, abortion is legal for any reason up until the point when a fetus could survive outside of the womb (usually 24-26 weeks). Third-trimester abortions (after 27 weeks pregnant) are illegal and banned in Virginia. 

You can still get an abortion by using the abortion pill (medical abortion) or getting a surgical abortion (in-clinic procedure). The type of abortion method that is medically safe for each patient’s situation depends on different things, including how far along you are in pregnancy. 

Before you go to a clinic or look online for the abortion pill, find out which procedure is medically appropriate and what the risks are for you.

What Do I Need to Know Before Abortion?

Just like other medical procedures, each method of abortion has risks and side effects that you need to know about.

The abortion pill is approved by the FDA for ending a pregnancy up to 10 weeks (70 days from the first day of your last period). Taking the abortion pill past this point in pregnancy may result in an incomplete abortion or other complications. 

The Mayo Clinic lists the following potential physical risks of taking the abortion pill: 

  • Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion

  • An ongoing pregnancy, if the procedure doesn’t work

  • Heavy and prolonged bleeding

  • Painful cramps and discomfort for a few days

  • Possible Infection or Fever

After you’re 10 weeks pregnant, an in-clinic surgical abortion is legal in VA (up to 24 weeks). The clinic will usually use a method known as dilation & curettage (D&C). In this procedure, a physician or provider uses particular medical instruments to open your cervix and then scrape or suction the fetus and uterine tissue out. 

Because surgical abortion is more involved, takes place within a clinic environment, and sometimes involves some type of sedation, it is usually more expensive. It also has more serious risks involved. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, the physical risks of surgical abortion procedures may include: 

  • Passing blood clots that are larger than a lemon (for more than two hours)

  • Bleeding that is heavy enough that you have to change your pad twice in one hour

  • Foul-smelling vaginal discharge

  • Fever or infection

  • Pain or cramping that gets worse, especially after 48 hours

  • Pregnancy symptoms that persist after one week

If you have a surgical abortion and experience any of these risks above, go to an ER to get help. Put your health and safety first before embarrassment.

Did you get an Ultrasound yet?

Get your questions answered by a medical professional through ultrasound to protect your health.  An ultrasound exam can answer important questions about your pregnancy and your options, such as: 

  • How far along you are (and what pregnancy options are available) 

  • If the pregnancy is viable (or if you may be having a miscarriage) 

  • If the pregnancy is located in the uterus (or if you are at risk of ectopic pregnancy)

It is very important to protect your health and for you to know this information about your pregnancy before getting an abortion. For example, if you have an ectopic pregnancy, you would need to immediately seek medical care separate from abortion care; taking the abortion pill would not resolve the situation. Any delay in treatment could be dangerous. 

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Protect your health and safety today by scheduling your ultrasound appointment. Our caring, professional medical staff at Nova Pregnancy Help Centers would love the opportunity to help you and provide an ultrasound at no cost to you.

Clayton Juarez