Abortion in Virginia

However, by 1950, Virginia introduced a legal therapeutic exception, allowing for abortion under specific circumstances, primarily when a woman's physical or mental health was at risk.

Notably, the University of Virginia Hospital established a review board in 1950 responsible for evaluating and approving abortion requests, particularly those grounded in psychiatric reasons.

In a landmark 1975 case, Bigelow v. Virginia, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a pivotal ruling that declared state bans on abortion clinics advertising their services unconstitutional.

Virginia's journey through the legislative, judicial, and clinic histories regarding abortion underscores the state's ever-evolving approach to reproductive healthcare.

[2] Virginia's legislative history regarding abortion reflects a continual evolution of laws and regulations that have shaped access to reproductive healthcare.

Presently, Virginia prohibits abortions in the third trimester, except when continuing the pregnancy poses an imminent danger to the woman's life, as certified by a physician.

This requires the certification of three doctors if terminating the pregnancy is deemed necessary due to the likelihood of the patient's death or substantial and irremediable impairment to her mental or physical health.

[5][6]) The judicial history of abortion in Virginia is emblematic of the intricate and contentious legal terrain that has defined reproductive rights in the United States.

In 1972, the constitutionality of Virginia's abortion statutes came under scrutiny in the case of "United States v. Vuitch," ultimately reaching the hallowed chambers of the U.S. Supreme Court.

In the wake of the Roe v. Wade decision, Virginia, like its counterparts, was compelled to recalibrate its abortion laws to align with the newfound constitutional framework.

The 1975 Supreme Court case "Planned Parenthood of Central Missouri v. Danforth" reaffirmed the principles established in Roe, thus necessitating the amendment of Virginia's abortion laws to fall in line with the constitutional mandate.

Hence, during the first trimester, the state could no longer impose undue restrictions on abortion, safeguarding a woman's right to choose during this critical period.

Northam's committee was quick to the press and stated the comments were taken out of context and Governor does support abortions in order to save the pregnant individual's life.