So, you’re pregnant, and you and your partner have different opinions on what to do. Maybe you’re leaning towards keeping the baby, and he wants you to abort. Or perhaps you’re leaning towards abortion, and he wants you to continue the pregnancy. What do you do? And what rights do you both have?
According to New York’s Abortion Laws, “Every individual who becomes pregnant has the fundamental right to choose to carry the pregnancy to term, to give birth to a child, or to have an abortion, pursuant to this article.’ But all states, including New York, have some abortion restrictions.”
But what about the father’s right? They are listed here according to Family Law Rights:
“Should a male’s pregnant partner wish to seek an abortion, the male’s consent is not required by law. A woman may make the choice to terminate a pregnancy, even if the alleged father objects to the procedure. The reasoning behind this is twofold, based on the woman’s right to medical privacy and the fact of the female body being more directly affected by the pregnancy. During the Supreme Court Case of Planned Parenthood vs. Danforth, the court ruled that requiring a father’s consent to having an abortion was unconstitutional since a male’s refusal would essentially veto the woman’s right to choose.”
As stated above, this is your choice, but we do recommend a few things. Often, women get stuck, or they rush their decision due to fear, shame, finances, etc. Our first suggestion is to confirm your pregnancy with a lab-quality pregnancy test and an ultrasound. Doing this could rule out the need for an abortion. Abortions can be costly, and the possibility for miscarriage is anywhere from 10-15% of first-trimester pregnancies.
Our second suggestion would be to talk to someone about all your options. Make a pros and cons list. Sit down with someone who can answer all your questions medical, state regulations, and otherwise. This is a huge decision to make, and you want to make the best decision you can.
Lastly, why not make an appointment at Pregnancy Help Inc? Although we do not offer or refer for abortions, we provide pregnancy tests (that are 99% accurate), ultrasounds, counseling, and one-on-one appointments. We want to help equip you to make a good decision and help you and your partner get on the same page.
At Pregnancy Help Inc, you will receive compassionate, non-judgmental care. You will be listened to and cared for. We promise to treat you more than a number and care for you like family.
You can call us at 212-585-5829, or text us at 646-734-8185, or schedule an appointment online.
We are here for you!