Abortion Laws
Wisconsin
Wisconsin State law requires that a woman meet with a counselor and physician before she can have an abortion. In Wisconsin, abortions can not be performed after 21 weeks of pregnancy.
After this counseling appointment, the woman must wait at least 24 hours before she can return for the abortion procedure. Young women under the age of 18 are required to have an adult relative (over the age of 25) with them.
What happens when you come for counseling?
During the counseling visit, we will ask you to:
- Provide photo identification. For security reasons, we need to copy your ID and the ID of anyone who comes with you.
- Fill out a Medical Health History form and sign our Privacy Policy statement. If you are taking any prescription medications, please bring a list of current medications.
- Have an ultrasound examination performed to verify and date your pregnancy. If you wish, you may view your ultrasound and receive a copy.
- Read the State of Wisconsin handbook, Information about Fetal Development, Abortion and Childbirth. If you are interested in the medical abortion procedure, we will also ask you to read information comparing medical and surgical abortions.
- Have lab work done. Staff will take your blood pressure and pulse, and will test your blood to see if your blood type is Rh+ or Rh-. We will also perform a Hemoglobin test to check for anemia.
- Do the state-mandated counseling with a physician and a registered nurse or licensed social worker. You will be asked to sign and complete the Abortion Information Provision Certification Form issued by the State of Wisconsin. The counseling session must be completed a minimum of 24 hours before you can begin your abortion procedure.
- If you wish, you may schedule your abortion procedure before you leave the clinic. You may also call later to set up your appointment.
Teens and Abortion
If you are under 18 and need an abortion, you have two options under Wisconsin law. First, a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or brother or sister (at least 25 years old) can go with you and give their consent. Please contact us if you have questions about who can consent for you.
If you cannot have an adult relative give consent for you, you can ask a judge for an exception. This is called a "judicial bypass." First, you will come to AMS for a counseling appointment. This visit is FREE for you under these circumstances. Then you will take your paperwork to the local courthouse. You will talk privately with a judge. The judge must grant your petition if they find that you are "mature and well-informed enough" to make the decision, OR that an abortion is in your best interest.
Our staff can help you through this process! Call us if you have any questions or to schedule an appointment - again, if you need a judicial bypass, your appointment is FREE thanks to generous donors.
