Planned Parenthood Abortions by State [Updated March 2023]

How Many Abortions Does Planned Parenthood Do a Year?

Planned Parenthood is one of the largest providers of reproductive and family health services in the country. Even though abortions are only a very small portion of what they do, they are one of the largest providers of abortions in the country. According to reports that the organization has published, Planned Parenthood sees approximately 2.5 million patients spread across a total of 4 million clinical visits every year. During these appointments, Planned Parenthood offers approximately 9.5 million discreet services, providing critical reproductive health services to those who might not have any other options. This includes abortions, and Planned Parenthood performed approximately 324,000 abortions in 2014.

Abortion Laws by State

Laws about abortions vary from state to state. In some, all abortions are illegal, while others ban them after a certain length of pregnancy. After the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, state abortion laws changed quickly.

As of late 2022, thirteen states made abortion illegal: Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Many of these laws went into effect because of “trigger bans” that were created to make abortion illegal when and if Roe v. Wade was overturned.

Additionally, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Utah had legal abortions, but with many restrictions. These states ban abortions after a certain week of pregnancy (6 in Georgia up to 20 in North Carolina), require parental consent, and mandate a waiting period before an abortion is performed. Less restrictive rules are in place in fourteen other states.

Eighteen states have made abortion legal with no mandated waiting period or parental consent. These states include Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming.

Are Abortions Considered Safe?

Because abortions are performed with regularity, they are generally considered safe. Licensed medical providers have the training and experience necessary to perform them while maximizing the safety of the life of the mother.

The exact nature of an abortion can vary depending on the stage of the pregnancy. The vast majority of abortions are performed during the first or second trimester, and the earlier they are performed, the lower the risk of complications. Even though there is a slight risk of infection or bleeding, these risks are minimal because sterile techniques are used and standard procedures are followed. Even though it is possible for the mother to feel some discomfort during the procedure, they are generally performed without any complications.

What Other Services Does Planned Parenthood Offer?

Even though a lot of people associate Planned Parenthood with abortions, this is a professional organization that provides a wide variety of services that are essential to reproductive health. Some of the other services that Planned Parenthood provides include:

1. Birth Control: While there are some situations where abortions might be required, it is always better to prevent an unwanted pregnancy from taking place. Planned Parenthood provides birth control to women who need it and might not have another spot to get it.
2. Sex Education: Sex education is also important for keeping people safe. While sex education can prevent unwanted pregnancy, it is also important for preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Planned Parenthood providers can also teach people of all ages about consent.
3. STD Testing: Planned Parenthood can also provide testing for a wide variety of sexually transmitted infections. Some of the most common sexually transmitted infections include gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, syphilis, and HIV. Planned Parenthood can accurately diagnose people with STDs and provide the necessary treatment.
4. Teen Pregnancy Services: Planned Parenthood also has specialty services that focus on teenagers who become pregnant. These services are essential for ensuring that the mother and the unborn child have the services they need. This also includes social services in certain situations.

These are just a few of the many services that Planned Parenthood provides. Planned Parenthood focuses on making sure everyone has access to quality reproductive health services that can make a difference in their health outcomes.