As of May 1, 2024, Florida has a 6-week abortion ban. Both surgical and medication abortions are banned after 6 weeks, counting from the first day of your last period. If you want to understand more about abortion in Florida, this guide can help you. 

What does that mean? 

It means you may only have two weeks after a missed period to have an abortion in Florida. There is also a mandatory waiting period, and you must appear for two in-person visits, at least 24 hours apart, within those 6 weeks. 

This means you need to discover your pregnancy early enough to accommodate these meetings and that you may need to make arrangements to have two days off of work or school and have transportation if abortion is the unplanned pregnancy option you choose.

Are there exceptions to Florida’s 6-week abortion ban? 

• Yes, the law provides for limited exceptions for victims of human trafficking, rape, incest, and domestic violence, in cases of a fetal diagnosis and to save the life of the mother. However, proper documentation is required.
• There is also an exception to the 24-hour waiting period in case of miscarriage or where there is no fetal cardiac activity. The exception for rape, incest, and human trafficking is through 15 weeks of pregnancy and also requires documentation such as a medical record or police report.
• An exemption until the end of the second trimester, or 24 weeks of pregnancy, is available if a doctor determines a woman will die or suffer a serious health complication without the procedure, or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality.

What if I’m past 6 weeks or 42 days pregnant and I want an abortion? 

Unless you qualify for a documented exemption, you may have to travel to a state that allows abortion after 6 weeks, like North Carolina which permits abortions until the end of the first trimester or 12 weeks. 

But remember that other states have their laws and may require waiting periods and/or require you to get permission from a parent or guardian to get an abortion if you are under 18.

If I am past 6 weeks and not able or willing to travel, what are my options?

Consider speaking with a counselor who can provide options counseling. At The Adoption Law Offices of Madonna Finney, we are available to provide no-cost, no-obligation options counseling. 

We do provide adoption services if that is the option you select, but we will help you look at all your options in a non-judgmental and supportive way. Adoption is a loving option, but it may not be the best option for everyone.

The Adoption Law Offices of Madonna Finney has been helping women in Pensacola, Tallahassee, Ocala, and across the state for over 25 years in a caring and non-judgmental fashion. Angela, our Social Work Director, is a Licensed mental health professional with years of experience helping women. Madonna, our attorney, is an expert in adoption law.

Call or text us at (850) 308-1836 if you would like to explore your unplanned pregnancy options in Florida, no matter how early or late you are in your pregnancy. Even if you are at the hospital and have delivered and you don’t feel equipped to parent, we can assist you.