When Texas Senator Wendy Davis conducted an 11-hour filibuster in an attempt to block abortion-restriction legislation this summer, it shone a new spotlight on abortion law in America.
As states like Texas debate policies that would restrict access to abortion providers, countries across Europe have also become much stricter on laws governing life.
Belgium
6-day waiting period
Woman must be in a “State of Distress” to receive a first-trimester abortion
Denmark
12-week ban (Exceptions can be made for health issues)
Finland
12-week abortion ban for women over the age of 17
The Finnish government provides care packages for mothers
Germany
Mandatory 3-day waiting period
Ireland
Illegal except in cases where the mother’s life is at risk
Malta
Abortion is banned in all cases
The Netherlands
5-day waiting period
Women must be provided with information about alternatives
Poland
All abortion is Illegal except in cases of rape, fetal malformation or threats to the woman’s health
Russia
12-week ban
Doctors must notify mothers of the long-term health risks of abortion
###America’s strictest abortion laws
24-Hour Waiting Period:
Half of all U.S. states mandate at least a 24-hour waiting period before an abortion can be performed.
Developmental Limits:
41 states prohibit abortions after a designated point during a pregnancy. 12 states limit abortions after 20 weeks.
Both Parents’ Consent:
In Mississippi and North Dakota, both parents must consent for a minor to get an abortion.
