North Carolina Abortion Laws
Abortion is still legal in North Carolina.
Abortion is legal in North Carolina, but requires a 72-hour waiting period, bans telehealth for people who take abortion pills, and prevents certified nurse midwives, physician assistants and nurse practitioners from providing abortions, among other restrictions.
RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION
In North Carolina, the following restrictions on abortion were in effect as of June 28, 2022:
- A patient must receive state-directed counseling that includes information designed to discourage the patient from having an abortion, and then wait 72 hours before the procedure is provided.
- Health plans offered in the state’s health exchange under the Affordable Care Act can only cover abortion in cases of life endangerment, or in cases of rape or incest.
- Abortion is covered in insurance policies for public employees only in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest.
- The use of telemedicine to administer medication abortion is prohibited.
- The parent of a minor must consent before an abortion is provided.
- Public funding is available for abortion only in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest.
- A patient must undergo an ultrasound before obtaining an abortion.
- An abortion may be performed at or after viability only in cases of life endangerment or severely compromised health.
- The state prohibits abortions performed for the purpose of sex selection.
- The state requires abortion clinics to meet unnecessary and burdensome standards related to their physical plant, equipment and staffing.
We are here for you! All of our services are free and confidential. We provide accurate help and support to women and men facing an unexpected pregnancy.
1. Jones RK, Witwer E and Jerman J, Abortion Incidence and Service Availability in the United States, 2017, New York: Guttmacher Institute, 2019.
2. Fuentes L and Jerman J, Distance traveled to obtain clinical abortion care in the United States and reasons for clinic choice, Journal of Women’s Health, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2018.7496.
Abortion and Minors
What About Roe?
Abortion is NOT illegal in the U.S. The overturn of Roe simply gives the individual states the ability to regulate their abortions.(1)
A woman who obtains an abortion (or a woman who has previously had an abortion) CANNOT be prosecuted. (3)
A woman may not be denied medical care for a miscarriage. A miscarriage is NOT an abortion and is NOT affected by the overturn of Roe. (4)
A woman may not be denied medical care for an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is NOT an abortion and is NOT affected by the overturn of Roe. (4)
IVF is NOT an abortion and is NOT affected by the overturn of Roe. (5)
The overturn of Roe does NOT affect access to emergency contraception or birth control. (1)
Abortion Pill
While the abortion pill is available in North Carolina, it is ILLEGAL to have abortion pills shipped into North Carolina or mailed to you. If a woman changes her mind after taking the first dose of the abortion pill, a reversal medication is available. Call the Abortion Pill Reversal Hotline to speak with a nurse at 1-877-558-0333. Help is available 24/7.
Lifeline Pregnancy provides medical grade pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, abortion information, and many other types of assistance, all at no cost. Call or text today to make an appointment, or click on this link:
Hours of Operation
Tuesday 9:00-4:00
Wednesday 9:00-4:00
Thursday 12:00-6:00
Closed Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Answers To Common Questions
Lifeline Pregnancy Help Center continues to remain open and has taken all necessary precautions to protect our clients, staff, and volunteers from COVID-19. We limit appointments to ensure the safety of our clients and staff, so please call ahead for your specific time slot. Masks or face shields are required for all staff, volunteers, and clients.
To ensure the safety of our clients and staff, it is best to make an appointment to minimize your office wait time. Please call us at (336) 526-5433 or schedule online.
We recommend you make an appointment if you have missed a period, have any pregnancy related questions, or think you or a friend might be pregnant.
After completing paperwork, you will meet with our professionals to go over your information and a pregnancy test will be administered. We will provide access to an ultrasound exam to confirm your pregnancy.
All our services are provided free of charge.
All you need is a photo ID.
We absolutely understand the comfort of bringing a loved one with you to your appointment. However, due to Covid-19, we are limiting our visits to our clients only. Your boyfriend, family member or friend can drop you off and wait nearby until your appointment is over. We do make exceptions so please inquire when you call to schedule your appointment.
We adhere to a strict privacy and confidentiality policy. Clients will be protected from disclosure of information that violates their right to privacy except where required by law, required for public health reasons, required to avert a threat of harm to the client or a third person, or when other circumstances may reasonably warrant such use or disclosure without prior authorization (e.g., abuse reporting, suicide/homicide prevention.