With the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade in summer 2022, many people are left wondering how this affects abortion access in their state. 

There are rumors that this will negatively impact women’s access to healthcare or make abortion illegal overnight. The facts is abortion remains legal in the state of Minnesota, but read the article below for more information.

What does it mean that Roe v. Wade was Overturned? 

The recent overturning of Roe v. Wade ended an era of federal protection for abortion access in all 50 states. In 1973, abortion was ruled as a constitutional right, but this case was revisited and overruled in the recent Dobbs vs. Jackson Women Health Organization case, citing that this argument was unsubstantiated.

This means that the federal protection was removed and the individual states have to decide for themselves whether abortion access is protected or restricted.

What are the Current Abortion Restrictions in Minnesota?

Abortion is currently legal in the state of Minnesota up to the point of viability (which is usually around 24 weeks), unless the life of the pregnant woman is endangered. Current abortion restrictions include: 

  • Pregnant woman must receive state-directed counseling 24 hours prior to the procedure that informs them of the abortion procedure.
  • Parents of a minor seeking an abortion must be notified

Next Steps Before Seeking an Abortion

If you are considering an abortion locally or are considering traveling to Minnesota from out of state, it’s important to first schedule an ultrasound to get important facts about your pregnancy. Benefits of an ultrasound include: 

  • Confirming whether or not the pregnancy is ectopic (located outside the womb)
  • Confirming the viability of the pregnancy (up to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage)
  • Confirming the gestational age of the pregnancy (which can be a qualification for some abortion procedures).

At Lakes Life Care Center, we offer no-cost ultrasounds where you can also schedule a consultation to discuss what your pregnancy options are, and learn about local resources. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!