Myth: Abortion is Banned in NH
Fact:
Abortion is legal through 6 months for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances up to 9 months. New Hampshire’s laws are some of the most lenient in the country.
Myth: New Hampshire’s Law is “Extreme”
Fact:
New Hampshire’s law is the same as is practiced in 40 other states. Abortion is unrestricted up to 6 months, and limited up to 9 months in cases of fatal fetal anomalies or to protect the life of the mother if there are medical emergencies.
Myth: Abortion is Banned in NH
Fact:
Abortion is legal in NH throughout the pregnancy. Abortion is permitted for any reason up until six months, or 24 weeks, and in the third trimester for certain circumstances such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to mother’s health.
Myth: New Hampshire’s Law is “Extreme”
Fact:
New Hampshire’s law is very similar to laws in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and many other states, including California. Only 29% of Granite Staters support abortion with no restrictions at all.
Stay Updated
New Hampshire Law
329:44 Prohibition. –
I. Except in the
case of a medical emergency as specifically defined
in paragraph III, no abortion shall be performed,
induced, or attempted by any health care provider
unless a health care provider has first made a
determination of the probable gestational age of the
fetus. In making such a determination, the health
care provider shall make such inquiries of the
pregnant woman and perform or cause to be performed
all such medical examinations, imaging studies, and
tests as a reasonably prudent health care provider
in the community, knowledgeable about the medical
facts and conditions of both the woman and the fetus
involved, would consider necessary to perform and
consider in making an accurate diagnosis with
respect to gestational age, provided, however, that
the health care provider shall conduct an obstetric
ultrasound examination of the patient for the
purpose of making the determination.
II.
Except in a medical emergency as specifically
defined in paragraph III, no health care provider
shall knowingly perform, induce, or attempt to
perform an abortion upon a pregnant woman when the
probable gestational age of her fetus has been
determined to be at least 24 weeks or in the absence
of a determination by a health care provider
pursuant to paragraph I as to the fetus’ probable
gestational age.
III. For the purposes of
this subdivision only, “medical emergency” means a
condition in which an abortion is necessary to
preserve the life of the pregnant woman whose life
is endangered by a physical disorder, physical
illness, or physical injury, including a
life-endangering physical condition caused by or
arising from the pregnancy itself, or when
continuation of the pregnancy will create a serious
risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a
major bodily function, as defined in RSA 329:43, V,
of the pregnant woman.