These States Would Join These Countries That Ban Abortion If Roe v Wade Is Repealed

In the past 24-48 hours, it has come to light that the US Supreme Court is reportedly considering overturning abortion rights.

On Monday, Politico published a draft opinion from the court which indicates a majority of judges would vote to repeal Roe v. Wade. While the final decision will not be announced until this summer, this news is understandably frightening. 

There are 26 countries in the world where abortion is completely legal (no restrictions except possibly gestational limits), ones where it is completely illegal, and ones where it is legal depending on certain factors. Here’s a guide to those, but first, a look at what U.S. States would ban abortion almost immediately if Roe v. Wade is overturned.

U.S. States Where Abortion Would Become Illegal if Roe v. Wade Were Overturned

13 of the states have trigger laws that would immediately ban a legal abortion if Roe V Wade is overturned. Other states, like Georgia have laws that have been ruled unconstitutional that ban abortions after a heartbeat is detected. What happens with those laws would be up in the air.

Others, like Alabama, have abortion bans from pre-Roe V Wade. Those could be reinstated if the law is repealed.

These states are:

• Arkansas: Exception in case of threat to a mother’s life, risk of serious injury, or in cases of rape or incest
• Idaho: Exception in case of threat to mother’s life, risk of serious injury, or in cases of rape or incest
• Kentucky: Exception in case of threat to mother’s life or risk of serious injury
• Louisiana: Exception in case of threat to mother’s life or risk of serious injury
• Mississippi: Exception in case of threat to a mother’s life or in cases of rape
• Missouri: Exception in case of threat to a mother’s life or risk of serious injury
• North Dakota: Exception in case of threat to mother’s life or risk of serious injury
• Oklahoma: Exception in case of threat to mother’s life or risk of serious injury
• South Dakota: Exception in case of threat to mother’s life
• Tennessee: Exception in case of threat to mother’s life or substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function. Father of fetus can veto.
• Texas: Exception in case of threat to mother’s life or risk of serious injury
• Utah: Exception in case of threat to mother’s life or risk of serious injury, if fetus has fatal abnormality, or in cases of reported rape or incest
• Wyoming: Exception in case of threat to mother’s life or risk of serious injury or in the case of rape or incest

States With Pre-Abortion Bans On the Books That Could Be Reinstated

• Alabama: Exception in case of threat to a mother’s life or physical health
• Arizona: Exception in case of threat to a mother’s life
• Michigan: Exception in case of threat to a mother’s life
• West Virginia: Exception in case of threat to a mother’s life
• Wisconsin: Exception in case of threat to a mother’s life

Countries Where Abortion is Illegal No Matter What

The list below are the countries and territories in which abortion has been completely banned, without exceptions.

Countries Where Abortion is Illegal, Except for the Following Exceptions

More than 50 countries and regions allow abortions, but with exceptions. Some allow abortions on specific grounds. For example, these exceptions may include saving a woman’s life, preserving health, or socioeconomic reasons.

In some locations where abortion is partially legal, there may be gestational limits, legal grounds, and/or additional requirements to access abortion. Here’s a guide to those from the World Health Organization and .

Abortions Are Permitted Only To Save the Woman’s Life

* Additional exception made in the case of fetal impairment
^ spousal authorization required

To Save the Woman’s Life or in Cases of Rape

^ spousal authorization required

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Ashley Hubbard

Ashley Hubbard is a freelance writer and creator. As a Let's Eat Cake contributor, she covers all things related to Starbucks, nails, entertainment news, pop culture trends, and more. Additionally, she regularly writes interview-based celebrity stories for Coping with Cancer magazine and has written for other publications, including Roadtrippers, Greatist, and Healthline. She has also been featured by Impact Travel Alliance as a creative who is transforming travel, and by Matador Network as a vegan travel blogger you should be following on Instagram. 

Ashley is a Nashville unicorn (born, raised, and based), queer, vegan, and dedicated to leaving a positive impact through her life, work, and her website, Wild Hearted. 

When she's not writing, she's traveling, reading a book, trying not to kill her houseplants, worshiping her dog, or having an existential crisis. Follow her on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Twitter, and LinkedIn

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