While some people seek abortions because they don’t want to be a parent, others choose to terminate because continuing a pregnancy could put their life in danger.
With Roe v. Wade overturned, and abortion access now determined by a patchwork of state laws, even people who want to continue their pregnancies have less control over their health.
In states with restrictive abortion laws, medical providers and their patients are feeling the unease that comes with fewer options. That’s especially true in cases of high-risk pregnancy, according to David Hackney, MD, a maternal-fetal medical doctor and associate professor of reproductive science at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland.
Having a Medical Reason for Abortion Doesn’t Make the Decision Any Easier
When pregnant people require lifesaving abortions, they often agonize over the decision, says Meghana Limaye, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and clinical assistant professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at NYU Langone Health in New York City.
“It’s not a decision that anybody takes lightly, especially in the context that I see it, in terms of high-risk pregnancies,” says Dr. Limaye. “Having that option is such an important part of being in control of your health and your life. I just wish people would know that and think about it from the perspective of someone who maybe never thought they would get an abortion.”
Here are six common reasons why abortion can be medically necessary — and lifesaving.
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