Seeking an Abortion in Georgia? Here’s What You Need to Know

(The information in this article was last updated in January of 2025.)

If you are pregnant and seeking an abortion in Georgia, you probably have a lot of questions like:

  • What are Georgia’s current abortion laws?
  • How much time do I have to get an abortion in Georgia?
  • What are my abortion options in Georgia?
  • Can I get the abortion pill if I live in Georgia?
  • What happens if I still want an abortion after a heartbeat has developed?
  • What do I do if I miss my window for an abortion in Georgia?

Along with many others. It’s your right to know your options when it comes to seeking and receiving a safe and legal abortion in Georgia, so let’s take a look at our state’s current abortion laws and the info you need to move forward with knowledge and confidence.

What Are Georgia’s Current Abortion Laws?

As of the writing of this article (January 2025), Georgia’s abortion laws prohibit pregnant women from receiving an abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which typically develops around the 6th week of pregnancy.

There are exceptions for abortion in cases of rape or incest, so long as the violation is reported and proven. In cases of exception, women have up to 20 weeks to receive an abortion. The law also does not prohibit women from receiving care for miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies (a potentially life-threatening condition where the embryo implants outside of the uterus). These are not viable pregnancies and require the care of an OBGYN or ER doctor.

House Bill 481, otherwise known as the LIFE (Living Infants Fairness and Equality) Act and sometimes called “the heartbeat ban,” was first passed in Georgia in 2019. However, it did not take effect until July 2022, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade the month before.

How Much Time Do I Have to Receive an Abortion in Georgia?

You have about five to six weeks from the time of conception to seek out and receive an abortion in Georgia. Our state’s heartbeat ban prohibits abortion providers from performing abortion services if the fetus has already developed a heartbeat, which typically develops at 5 weeks and 1 day gestation; however, ultrasounds can usually detect the heartbeat around week 6 of pregnancy.

How Can I Know If a Heartbeat Has Developed Yet?

The only way to determine the gestational age of the fetus and know if a heartbeat has been detected or not is to undergo an abortion screening, complete with an ultrasound. Your medical provider will be able to determine how far along your pregnancy is and whether the fetus has developed a heartbeat or not.

What Are My Abortion Options in Georgia?

There are two types of abortion services qualifying women can receive: surgical abortion and medical abortion.

  • Surgical Abortion – An abortion procedure wherein the medical provider removes the fetus from the uterus through a surgical procedure involving suction.
  • Chemical Abortion – An abortion option wherein the woman ingests a series of medications that interfere with the fetus’s attachment to the uterine wall and induce a miscarriage. Whenever you hear someone refer to an abortion pill, they are talking about a chemical abortion.

Can I Get the Abortion Pill in Georgia?

Yes, women who qualify to receive an abortion in Georgia can access a medical abortion either by obtaining their abortion pills by mail or in an abortion provider’s office.

What Happens If I Seek Out an Abortion After a Heartbeat Has Developed?

Women in Georgia who receive an abortion after the embryo has developed a heartbeat will not face criminal charges, imprisonment, or other punishments. However, if the physician is licensed and practices in the state of Georgia, they may face criminal charges up to ten years in prison for providing the abortion.

What Do I Do if I Miss My Window for an Abortion in Georgia?

If you’re facing an unwanted pregnancy but have missed your window for receiving a legal abortion in Georgia, you don’t have to face the future alone. Allow yourself to feel and process your emotions, then seek out help from a clinic like Women’s Clinic of Atlanta. Our compassionate team of medical professionals and advocates are here to walk with you on this journey, talk you through your options—whether that includes motherhood or adoption—and offer supportive services as your pregnancy continues.

Unplanned and unwanted pregnancies can be really scary. If you’re seeking an abortion in Georgia to handle yours, turn to Women’s Clinic of Atlanta.

Our caring team offers thorough, helpful, judgment-free care to women who are pregnant and want an abortion in Georgia. From providing abortion screenings to offering resources and support services depending on the results, we are here for you at every turn.

Schedule an abortion screening by texting “appointment” to 404-777-4771 today.

Women’s Clinic of Atlanta is HIPAA compliant and AAAHC accredited.

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