Abortion in Georgia

last updated: 19.10.2023

Is Abortion Legal in Georgia?

Abortions are legal in Georgia until a fetal heartbeat can be detected (approx. 6th week of pregnancy).
Early abortions can be performed by surgery or medication.
All abortions in Georgia must be administered by medical doctors.

This page addresses abortion questions such as:

Can You Get an Abortion in Georgia?
How Late Can You Get an Abortion in Georgia?
Is Abortion Illegal in Georgia?

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Can You Get an Abortion in Georgia?

Georgia state legislation has set parameters under which abortion is permitted.

Abortions can be obtained in the state of Georgia until the fetal heartbeat becomes detectable, around the 6th week of pregnancy.

Only medical doctors may perform abortions in Georgia.
Mandatory counseling must be provided by the abortion clinic (in writing, virtual meeting, or in person), followed by a 24-hour waiting period.
A pre-abortion ultrasound is required to determine whether a fetal heartbeat is visible.
Extensions beyond 6 weeks are made on a case-by-case basis:
- When the continuation of the pregnancy puts the mother's health at serious risk of irreversible physical impairment.
- If the fetus has been diagnosed with a fatal abnormality and is not expected to survive the pregnancy.
- If the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.
- Abortions are always permitted to save the mother's life.
Parental notification is required for minors pursuing an abortion in Georgia.
Telehealth abortions are not possible in Georgia since the need for an ultrasound requires an in-person visit.

ℹ️ For more information, go to Is Abortion Legal?

How Late Can You Get an Abortion in Georgia?

Abortion is available in Georgia until a fetal heartbeat can be detected via ultrasound. Usually, the fetal heartbeat becomes visible around the 6th week of pregnancy LMP. The first day of the last menstrual period, aka LMP, is considered the first day of pregnancy.
Abortion methods that can be used at this point are vacuum aspirations (surgical abortion) or the abortion pill (medical abortion).

📅 Unsure how far along you are? Use our Pregnancy Tracker to find out! 

For more information, go to:

Is Abortion Illegal in Georgia?

Abortion is illegal in Georgia outside of the legal parameters. Anyone performing an abortion that violates the requirements is committing the offense of a criminal abortion. A person convicted of this offense must serve a prison sentence of 1-10 years.

Self-inducing an abortion without the aid of a medical provider is illegal in Georgia. This law was established with the health of women in mind. Most homemade abortion methods carry higher risks, making them unsafe. The concern for the safety of the mother is of the highest priority.

ℹ️ For more information, go to:

I Need an Abortion in Georgia — Now What?

Hopefully, our page addressed some of your practical questions about abortion in Georgia. Perhaps your concerns go beyond the need for information. You may have recently found out you are pregnant, bringing your heart to a standstill while your mind races on.

We are here for you as you navigate your next steps! If you are deliberating whether to have an abortion, you are invited to participate in our weeklong  Decision Coaching Sessions. This includes a free daily email for seven days, with thought-provoking ideas and stories of how other pregnant women have dealt with this challenging situation.

👉 Click here for more information and prompts for signing up!