Current Laws + Restrictions FAQ
LAST UPDATED August 23, 2023
We know these restrictions are confusing and cruel. If you need help understanding your options (both here, and out of state), you can call our helpline for support. We are still here for you!
A General Note: CAF occasionally fields questions about self-managed abortion with pills ordered online. CAF does not fund self-managed abortion with pills or any other method.
Here are some unaffiliated resources: www.plancpills.org + www.reprolegalhelpline.org (for information about laws in your state). For information from clinicians about self-managed abortion, you can visit www.mahotline.org.
South Carolina (source: ACLU of South Carolina)
at present, abortion is banned after 6 weeks in south carolina.
Near the end of a legislative special session in early 2023, Governor McMaster signed a six-week abortion ban into law. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic immediately filed suit and was awarded an injunction on May 26th. This ban has been upheld as of August 23rd, 2023.
If you are pregnant in South Carolina and do not want to be, you have options. Call our helpline today.
North Carolina (source: ACLU of North Carolina)
Beginning July 1st, 2023, abortion will be prohibited past 12 weeks gestation (with very limited exceptions).
Abortions after 12 weeks will only be allowed in cases of rape, incest, after the diagnosis of a “life-limiting” fetal anomaly, or when there is a “medical emergency.”
Patients who meet one of these narrow exceptions must access care in a hospital, making it less accessible to people in rural areas. 20 counties in North Carolina do not have a hospital. This requirement also makes the procedure more expensive. There are also gestational limits for three of the exceptions — abortions in the case of rape or incest can only be performed up to 20 weeks, and in the case of fetal anomaly up to 24 weeks.
In cases of rape or incest, patients must share their stories of assault and abuse with their doctors, whether or not they feel prepared to talk about it. If the patient is a minor, the doctor is required to report the incident to police, even if the patient does not want to pursue legal action.
Medication abortion will only be allowed up to 70 days (or 10 weeks). Medical evidence demonstrates that medical providers may safely and effectively provide medication abortion for up to 77 days (11 weeks) in a pregnancy. Currently, doctors in the state routinely provide medication abortions up to 11 weeks of pregnancy.
Patients will be required to make three in-person appointments to obtain an abortion.
Patients accessing abortion at any stage of pregnancy must go to an in-person appointment, where they will be forced to listen to state-mandated, non-scientific, anti-abortion counseling and receive a medically unnecessary ultrasound. The patient must then wait 72 hours before coming in for the abortion. For medication abortions, the doctor must also schedule a follow-up appointment with the patient 7-14 days later. This appointment is medically unnecessary. Patients could simply take a pregnancy test at home to confirm the pregnancy has ended and call their doctor in the event of any complications. These requirements will be particularly onerous for patients who live in rural areas, who don’t have easy access to transportation, who don’t have childcare or paid time off work, and for those coming from out of state.
We know these restrictions are confusing and cruel. If you need help understanding your options (both here, and out of state), you can call our helpline for support. We are still here for you!
As of 6/30, the Supreme Court of North Carolina issued a partial and temporary block on a provision within SB 20. While most of the bill was still enacted July 1st, the provision requiring sexual assault survivors to obtain an abortion in a hospital after 12 weeks of pregnancy does not go into effect until October 1.