In 2022, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reported more than 40,000 induced abortions. In the same year, at least 28,000 residents received medically induced abortions (NCDHHS, 2022). This suggests that not only did more than 40,000 individuals seek abortion care, but that some residents may have returned for multiple abortions in the state of North Carolina.
From 2013 to 2022, abortion rates increased from 10.0 to 13.7 per 10,000 people for those between 14 and 35 years old and older. Demographically, non-Hispanic African-Americans were nearly twice as likely to undergo an induced abortion compared to non-Hispanic White women, and almost three times more likely than Hispanic women. Additionally, pansexual, bisexual, and queer individuals are more likely to seek abortion care than their heterosexual counterparts. In particular, bisexual individuals were nearly three times more likely to seek abortion services compared to their heterosexual peers.
Intersectionality plays a significant role in abortion care access. If restrictive abortion laws persist, minorities will be the most impacted. Thus, with the upcoming 2024 election, it’s important to consider the implications of a continued restriction on abortion access in North Carolina.
Abortion care also reduces the maternal mortality rate.
Beyond basic human rights, research has shown that maternal deaths are 62% higher in states with abortion restrictions compared to states with fewer, or no, abortion restrictions. North Carolina is among several U.S. states that, in recent years, have adopted restrictive abortion laws. As a result, North Carolina has a higher maternal mortality rate than the national average of 22.3 deaths per 100,000 births, with a rate of 44 maternal deaths per 100,000 births. Given these facts, we must recognize that abortion access in North Carolina is a core component of human rights, public health, and maternal health.
What are the current abortion laws in NC?
Since their inception, abortion laws have been at the center of political controversies. This has only increased with the culling of Roe v. Wade (a law that granted abortion access and reproductive protections to individuals with a uterus) in 2022 by the conservative-leaning Supreme Court in the Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case. Despite the efforts of progressive North Carolina governor Roy Cooper, the state enacted a 12-week ban on abortions. Such abortion restrictions fall under the North Carolina SB 20 law, in which someone may seek an abortion in the event of an emergency (such as an ectopic pregnancy), rape or incest (through the 20th week of the pregnancy), pregnancies within the 12-week limit, and pregnancies in the first 24 weeks for terminal birth defects.
Beyond the 12 weeks, individuals will not have access to safe abortions carried out in a clinical setting with a healthcare professional, outside of the provisions of the SB 20 law. What lawmakers don’t consider, however, is that abortion restrictions don’t prevent abortions; instead, they make women more likely to seek abortions that are illegal or unsafe.
Pregnant individuals, as well as those in child-bearing years, must be informed about this. Not only do they need to know about the SB 20 provisions, but they also need to know about resources for accessing safe abortions. This includes access to things such as a potential pregnancy tracking system, pregnancy prevention, and opportunities for abortion funding. The latter is especially important for minorities, low-income individuals, and those living in rural or other under-sourced areas.
How can you get abortion care in NC?
While abortion restrictions are in place in North Carolina, people may travel to other states for abortion needs outside of the SB 20 provisions. Prospective patients need to know about waiting periods, scheduling, counseling, and any restrictions on abortion procedures out-of-state.
Despite the abortion restrictions, people with uteri can take action to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancies. They can also find alternative ways to obtain a legal abortion. Furthermore, some organizations vow to continue providing abortion care that falls within the SB 20 provisions.
At Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, people can get resources to individuals with uteri who need abortion care, in addition to resources on sexual health, birth control methods, and local providers who offer reproductive care. Jenny Black, the President and CEO, affirmed her commitment to ensuring access to safe abortions following the enactment of the SB 20 law. “Planned Parenthood South Atlantic remains committed to providing abortion care to as many people as possible within the unjust and inhumane confines of this abortion ban,” she told the ACLU in 2023. “We encourage anyone in need of abortion care to contact us as soon as possible for help navigating this new reality.”
Another resource, Abortion Finder, helps individuals who need abortion care; their services include locating qualified providers, procuring funding for procedures not covered by insurance–which the Carolina Abortion Fund also offers–as well as providing updated information on abortion laws across U.S. states and territories.
Finally, Cornell Health lists several non-medical pregnancy prevention methods that should be accessible, even in states with complete abortion bans. Examples include using condoms, , diaphragms, spermicides, withdrawal, and lactational amenorrhea (aka breastfeeding to prevent pregnancy). It’s important to note that none of these methods are 100% guaranteed to prevent pregnancies. However, they are highly effective at reducing pregnancy risk, with effectiveness ranging between 80% to 99.9%, depending on the method employed. Thus, people can use pregnancy prevention methods, in addition to tracking their last menstrual periods, to prepare for early signs of pregnancy.
Since SB 20 has significantly changed the landscape of reproductive health in North Carolina, we must turn our attention to how this impacts others, especially those with marginalized identities who face additional challenges with access to reproductive care due to inequitable health care laws. There are available resources for individuals seeking a safe abortion. And, in future elections, we should prioritize access to safe abortions to optimize maternal health outcomes.
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