Unpacking the facts behind third trimester abortions in the U.S.

Third-trimester abortions, while rare, are occurring in the United States, according to data from state health departments and statements from clinics that provide abortions.

The availability and frequency of these late-term procedures have become a point of contention in the ongoing national debate over abortion rights following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Representatives from the CDC, the pro-abortion rights Guttmacher Institute, and the anti-abortion Charlotte Lozier Institute have admitted to The Atlantic that national data is unavailable. 

Colorado's Department of Public Health and Environment reported 137 third-trimester abortions in 2023. The state is home to clinics that specialize in late-term procedures.

Eight states and the District of Columbia currently have no restrictions on third-trimester abortions, according to reproductive rights organizations.

A clinic in Washington, D.C., located near government offices, offers abortions up to nearly 32 weeks of gestation. Another facility in Bethesda, Maryland, provides the procedure up to 35 weeks.

Dr. Warren Hern, a physician who specializes in late abortions, estimated that about half of his patients have healthy pregnancies. He shared this information in an interview with The Atlantic, stating that few patients were victims of sexual assault or teenagers who didn't realize they were pregnant.

The reasons for seeking late-term abortions vary. While many cases involve fetal abnormalities or maternal health risks, clinics contacted for this report confirmed they perform the procedure for any reason, provided it falls within legal limits.

Public opinion on the issue remains divided. A 2023 Gallup poll found that 22 percent of Americans believe abortion should be legal in the third trimester. A separate 2021 Associated Press poll reported that 8 percent of respondents support legal third-trimester abortions in all cases.

These figures contrast sharply with support for first-trimester abortions. The same Gallup poll showed that more than two-thirds of Americans believe abortion should be legal in the first three months of pregnancy.

Political responses to the issue have been mixed. During a recent vice-presidential debate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz avoided directly addressing a question about a permissive abortion bill he signed into law.

Vice President Kamala Harris, in a presidential debate, disputed claims that Roe v. Wade had allowed for abortions in the final months of pregnancy. "That's not true," Harris said in response to statements made by former President Donald Trump.

However, legal experts note that under Roe v. Wade, states were not required to restrict later abortions. The Dobbs decision overturned Roe and maintained this stance, allowing states to enact more stringent bans.

Some abortion rights advocates argue that focusing on third-trimester procedures distracts from the broader issue of reproductive rights. They emphasize that over 90 percent of abortions in the United States occur during the first trimester.

Critics of late-term abortions, including some who generally support abortion rights, contend that the practice raises significant ethical concerns as fetuses approach viability outside the womb.

As the abortion debate continues, policymakers face the challenge of balancing public opinion, medical considerations, and constitutional rights.

The ongoing controversy surrounding third-trimester abortions underscores the complexity of the abortion debate in America, where deeply held beliefs about personal autonomy, fetal rights, and medical ethics continue to shape public policy and political discourse.