Abortion laws vary from state to state, which makes it confusing to know what is available. In November of 2024, Arizonans passed Arizona Proposition 139 regarding the legal right to an abortion. So what does the law actually mean?
Let’s take a closer look at the law, your rights, and the abortion procedures available.
What Does Proposition 139 State?
Proposition 139 “amended the Arizona Constitution to establish that every individual has the fundamental right to abortion” before the point of fetal viability.
The measure also provides for the right to an abortion “after fetal viability if it is done to protect the life, physical, or mental health of the pregnant individual, in the judgment of a treating health care professional.”
What Does Fetal Viability Mean?
According to Arizona law, fetal viability refers to the ability of the fetus to survive outside the uterus “without the application of extraordinary medical measures.” Most babies can survive outside the uterus at 22 or 23 weeks. The earliest recorded survival is at 21 weeks.
Medical experts divide a pregnancy into trimesters. The first trimester spans from week 1 to week 13. The second trimester spans from week 13 to week 28, and the final trimester lasts from week 29 to week 40.
As you can see, a fetus can survive a little over halfway through an entire pregnancy.
Why Can’t I Use the Abortion Pill Method?
The FDA approves the use of a medical abortion (the abortion pill method) through 10 weeks of pregnancy only. The further along you are in your pregnancy, the less effective and more risky the drugs are.
How Can the Pregnancy Care Center Assist Me?
An abortion at any stage of pregnancy is a serious medical decision with physical and mental risks. Although the Pregnancy Care Center does not perform or refer for abortion, we are not afraid to talk about it. Let us provide you with the details, backed by factual, medically based information.
You deserve to know what to expect before having an abortion. If you’re wondering if you are pregnant or need to know how many weeks and days you have been pregnant, schedule free and confidential pregnancy testing at the Pregnancy Care Center.
You can contact us online, or call or text us at (623) 343-8483. We’re ready to answer your questions, offer assistance, and be the friend you may need.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.