Is it Legal to Receive an Abortion Pill by Mail in Georgia?

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This entry was posted in Abortion

With the overruling of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, and Georgia’s heartbeat ban (House Bill 481) taking effect in July 2022, Georgia residents may wonder what is and is no longer legal when it comes to pursuing abortion in our state. One big question women are asking is, “Is it legal to receive an abortion pill by mail in Georgia?”

Like any abortion-related question, the answer is not as simple as “yes” or “no” due to the language of House Bill (HB) 481.

Is It Legal to Receive an Abortion Pill by Mail in Georgia?

While it is technically legal to receive abortion pills by mail still, HB 481 has placed highly restrictive rules and regulations on the abortion process, which has affected the way Georgia’s medical professionals now handle telehealth abortions and abortion medication by mail.

You must receive an ultrasound before receiving a medical abortion.

If you are seeking a surgical or medical abortion in Georgia, you must first prove that there is no heartbeat yet, which usually develops around the 6th week of pregnancy. Georgia physicians risk prosecution if they do not produce an ultrasound report for an abortion patient, making it highly unlikely for them to prescribe abortion medication by mail.

You cannot bypass a clinic to receive an abortion pill by mail.

Georgia patients must go through a medical clinic to receive abortion medication. You could face significant legal repercussions if you access a pill without consulting a medical provider first.

You cannot receive abortion pills after about six weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions.

As mentioned, providers in Georgia cannot perform an abortion or prescribe abortion pills if the fetus has developed a heartbeat, which tends to begin around the 6th week of pregnancy. In some cases, the heartbeat can develop as early as the 5th week. Legal exceptions to the heartbeat ban apply if:

  • The pregnancy threatens the life of the mother
  • The pregnancy endangers the health of the mother
  • The pregnancy is not viable, or the fetus is not expected to survive
  • The pregnancy is a result of reported rape or incest

If you are seeking an abortion pill by mail or a medical abortion in Georgia, schedule your ultrasound appointment with Women’s Clinic of Atlanta. Text “appointment” to 404-777-4771 today.

Our team will perform your ultrasound and provide beneficial information about your options and the next steps in the abortion process.

Women’s Clinic of Atlanta is HIPAA compliant and AAAHC accredited.

Stay tuned for the next articles in our medical abortion series:

  • Is it Legal to Receive an Abortion Pill by Mail in Georgia?
  • Is an At-Home Abortion Right for Me?
  • Telehealth Abortion Pill & Clinical Abortion Pill… Is There a Difference?
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