How Late Can You Get an Abortion?
- Abortion regulations differ from area to area. While some countries or states prohibit abortion, most governments limit abortions to the first trimester or until the baby is viable outside the womb (24 weeks). Some regions have no gestational limit. For detailed information on your country, continue reading below.
- While the abortion pill is usually restricted to the first nine weeks (LMP), in-clinic abortions are medically possible throughout the pregnancy.
- 🗓 Use our Pregnancy Tracker to find out how far along you are!
This article covers the following topics:
- When Is It Too Late to Get an Abortion?
- Aspects Which Affect Timing
- I Still Have Time — What's Next?
When Is It Too Late to Get an Abortion? — International Overview
Threshold restrictions for abortions vary from country to country and state to state. Here is an overview, answering the question, "When can you get an abortion?" according to the gestational limit for each region.
The weeks of pregnancy are counted from the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP). This is the same as gestational age (GA). The actual fetal age (conceptional age; CA) would be two weeks less.
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Region Regular Limit Alabama Abortion has been prohibited in Alabama since 2022. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. Alaska There is no gestational limit for abortion in Alaska. Arizona Abortion is permitted in Arizona until the 15th week of pregnancy. Arkansas Abortion has been prohibited in Arkansas since 2022. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. California Abortion is permitted in California until the fetus reaches viability outside the womb (24 weeks). Colorado There is no gestational limit for abortion in Colorado. Connecticut Abortion is permitted in Connecticut until the 24th week of pregnancy (viability). Delaware Abortion is permitted in Delaware until viability (24th week of pregnancy). Florida Abortion is permitted in Florida until a fetal heartbeat can be detected (approx. 6th week of pregnancy) (since May 2024) Georgia Abortion is permitted in Georgia until the 6th week of pregnancy. Hawaii Abortion is permitted in Hawaii until the fetus reaches viability (24 weeks). Idaho Abortion has been prohibited in Idaho since 2022. Illinois Abortion is permitted in Illinois until the fetus reaches viability (24 weeks). Indiana Indiana's abortion ban took effect on Aug 1, 2023. Iowa Abortion is permitted in Iowa until the 22nd week of pregnancy. Kansas Abortion is permitted until the 22nd week of pregnancy in Kansas. Kentucky Abortion has been prohibited in Kentucky since 2022. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. Louisiana Abortion is banned in Louisiana, with no exceptions for rape or incest. Maine Abortion is permitted in Maine until the fetus reaches viability (24 weeks). Maryland Abortion is permitted in Maryland until the fetus reaches viability (24 weeks). Massachusetts Abortion is permitted in Massachusetts until the 24th week of pregnancy. Michigan Abortion is permitted in Michigan until the fetus reaches viability (24 weeks). Minnesota Abortion is permitted in Minnesota until the fetus reaches viability (24 weeks). Mississippi Abortion has been prohibited in Mississippi since 2022. There is an exception for rape but not for incest. Missouri Abortion has been prohibited in Missouri since 2022. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. Montana Abortion is permitted in Montana until viability (24 weeks). Nebraska Abortion is permitted in Nebraska until the 12th week of pregnancy. This law has been in place since May 2023. Nevada Abortion is permitted until the 24th week of pregnancy in Nevada. N. Hampsh. Abortion is permitted until the 24th week of pregnancy in New Hampshire. New Jersey There is no gestational limit for abortion in New Jersey. N. Mexico There is no gestational limit for abortion in New Mexico. New York Abortion is permitted until viability (24 weeks) in the state of New York. N. Carolina Abortion is permitted in North Carolina until the 12th week of pregnancy. This law has been in place since July 1, 2023. N. Dakota Abortion has been banned in North Dakota since April 2023. Ohio Abortion is permitted in Ohio until viability (new law 12.07.2023) Oklahoma Abortion has been prohibited in Oklahoma since 2022. Oregon There is no gestational limit for abortion in Oregon. Pennsylv. Abortion is permitted until the 24th week of pregnancy in Pennsylvania. Rhode Is. Abortion is permitted until viability (24 weeks) in Rhode Island. S. Carolina Abortion is permitted until the 6th week of pregnancy in South Carolina. (New laws since August 2023) S. Dakota Abortion has been prohibited in South Dakota since 2022. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. Tennessee Abortion has been prohibited in Tennessee since 2022. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. Texas Abortion has been prohibited in Texas since 2022. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. Utah Abortion is permitted in Utah until the 18th week of pregnancy. Vermont There is no gestational limit for abortion in Vermont. Virginia Abortion is permitted in the first two trimesters (until 26 weeks + 6 days) in Virginia. Washington Abortion is permitted until the fetus reaches viability (24 weeks) in Washington. Washington DC There is no gestational limit for abortion in the city of Washington DC. W. Virginia Abortion has been prohibited in West Virginia since 2022. Wisconsin Abortion has been prohibited in Wisconsin since 2022. Wyoming Abortion is permitted until viability (24 weeks) in Wyoming. -
Region Regular Limit Great Britain
24 Weeks LMP
Northern Ireland
24 Weeks LMP
Rep. of Ireland
12 Weeks LMP
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Region Regular Limit ACT
There is no gestational limit for abortion in the Australian Capital Territory.
NSW
Abortion is permitted in New South Wales until the 22nd week LMP of pregnancy and legal until birth with the approval of two doctors.
NT
Abortion is permitted in the Northern Territory until the 14th week LMP with one doctor’s approval and the 22nd week LMP with the approval of two doctors.
QLD
Abortion is permitted in Queensland until the 22nd week LMP of pregnancy and legal until birth with approval by two doctors.
SA (2022)
Abortion is lawful until 22 weeks and 6 days LMP in South Australia.
TAS
Abortion is permitted in Tasmania until the 16th week LMP of pregnancy.
VIC
Abortion is permitted in Victoria until the 24th week LMP of pregnancy and legal until birth with the approval of two doctors.
WA
Abortion is permitted in Western Australia until the 20th week LMP of pregnancy.
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While abortion is unrestricted throughout Canada, availability differs from state to state. No Canadian abortion provider performs abortions past 25 weeks. Here you can find out until when abortion is offered in your region:
Region Available Until Alberta
20 Weeks LMP
British Columbia
24w + 6d LMP
Manitoba
16 Weeks LMP
New Brunswick
16 Weeks LMP
Newfoundland & Labrador
16 Weeks LMP
Northwest Territories
20 Weeks LMP
Nova Scotia
16 Weeks LMP
Nunavut
19w + 6d LMP
Ontario
23w + 6d LMP
Prince Edward Island
12 Weeks LMP
Quebec
24 Weeks LMP
Saskatchewan
18w + 6d LMP
Yukon
12w + 6d LMP
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Region Regular Limit New Zealand
20 Weeks LMP
South Africa
13 Weeks LMP
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Click here for an overview of abortion regulations in each European country.
Region Regular Limit Austria
See our Austrian page: Bis wann kann man abtreiben?
Cambodia
Abortion is permitted in Cambodia until the 12th week LMP of pregnancy.
Germany
See our German page: Bis wann kann man abtreiben?
Italy
See our Italian page: Fino a quando si può abortire
Portugal
See our Portuguese page: Até quando se pode abortar?
Abortion is permitted in Mexico in certain regions until the 12th week LMP of pregnancy: Mexico City, Oaxaca, Coahuila, Hidalgo, Veracruz, Colima, Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Guerrero.
The Netherlands
Abortion is permitted in the Netherlands until the 24th week LMP of pregnancy. A five-day waiting period is required before getting an abortion.
Switzerland
See our Swiss page: Bis wann kann man abtreiben?
Thailand
Abortion is permitted until the 12th week LMP of pregnancy.
Aspects Which Affect Timing
- Availability:
While abortions are unrestricted in some countries, many abortion clinics do not provide abortions beyond the first 13 weeks. This is because they are not equipped to perform the more complicated abortion methods used in late-term abortions. - Methods:
Medical Abortions can be performed within the first nine or ten weeks of gestation, depending on your country's regulations.
Vacuum aspirations are usually not performed past the 14th week. - Extensions:
Exceptions for later abortions are made in most countries. For more information, go to Late-Term Abortions. - Pre-Abortion Requirements:
Regional requirements may include a counseling appointment, informed consent, proof of pregnancy, medical exam, or parental consent.
You may like: 💰 How Much Does an Abortion Cost?
⚠️ Remember to check wait times and ultrasound requirements for your area. These would need to take place before the time limit for abortion is reached.
I Still Have Time — What’s Next?
Even though your question, "How late can you have an abortion?" has been answered on this page, there are probably many unanswered questions going through your mind. You may be unsure of where to go from here while desiring to make a decision that leaves you without regrets…
Your thoughts matter because your life matters!
Go to Unplanned Pregnancy — Now What? for practical steps and advice.
Your present situation is probably far from easy. You may feel overwhelmed, stuck, or abandoned. You are not alone! Allow us to walk alongside you as you determine which path is right for you. Our judgment-free resources are tailor-made for your situation. Why not give them a try?
- ⚖️ Abortion: Yes or No? Take the Abortion Test!
- 🤰Am I pregnant? Take the Online Pregnancy Test
- 💡 Dealing with a specific issue? Take the Solutions Finder Test!
- 🛤 Could an abortion affect me long term?
FAQs
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Abortion regulations differ from region to region. While abortion is banned in some states, others have set deadlines, such as the detection of fetal heartbeat (6 weeks), the end of the first trimester (12 weeks), or viability outside the womb (24 weeks). Some regions have no gestational limit for abortion. In this case, abortion is permitted throughout pregnancy.
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Time limits depend on gestational limits as well as abortion methods. Each surgical abortion method has a different time limit: vacuum aspirations and D&Cs are possible until the 16th week of pregnancy; D&Es are most commonly performed between weeks 10 and 20; D&X and induction abortions can be done up until birth.
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Depending on the country, the abortion pill is either limited to the 9th or 10th week of pregnancy, counting from the last menstrual period. Australia, UK, Ireland, and South Africa limit the use of the abortion pill to the 9th week of pregnancy. The USA, New Zealand, and Canada limit its use to the 10th week of pregnancy. After the 10th week, risks and side effects increase drastically.
Disclaimer: While we strive to provide you with the most up-to-date information possible, abortion regulations are constantly shifting. profemina cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided.