On both the federal and state level, legal protections are in place to safeguard your health and your ability to make your decision without coercion. Informed consent is a legal requirement prior to any abortion in North Carolina. Informed Consent means that the patient has been given all the information about her options, what to expect, and her rights. The requirements of Informed Consent differ, depending on if you are getting a surgical procedure or using the medical abortion method (the Abortion Pill).

Here’s a summary of your rights specifically in the state of North Carolina:

Surgical Informed Consent shall be conducted orally in person by the physician/qualified professional, be signed by both patient and doctor, attesting she received all information at least 72 hours prior to procedure, and must include:

• Physician’s name that will perform surgical abortion & any needed care for complications
• Risks of the particular procedure
• Probable gestational age of the child at the time of the procedure
• Risks of carrying to term
• Display of real time view ultrasound with fetal heart tone monitoring
• Whether or not the physician has liability insurance
• Hospital within 30 miles of procedure & whether or not the physician has clinical privileges
• Explanation of patient rights:
  • May qualify for medical benefits for her & child
  • Public assistance may be available
  • Father is liable for child support
  • She has the option to parent or place for adoption
  • Printed materials describing her rights are available
  • Ensure she is not being forced and she can choose to withdraw consent at any time
  • Ensure she understands the procedure is intended to end her pregnancy
  • Ensure she understands the risks & has the opportunity to ask any questions
  • Ensure she has access to printed state-provided materials on informed consent
  • If applicable, the name & number of physician to provide care & treatment in the case of complications
  • She has the right to sue if she believes she was coerced or misled
  • She receives a copy of all signed/initialed forms and consent forms
  • Physician must sign a written declaration that stating that prior to the surgical abortion procedure, the qualified physician has (i) explained in person the surgical abortion procedure to be used, (ii) provided all of the information required in this section, and (iii) answered all of the woman’s questions regarding the surgical abortion.

Medical (Abortion Pill) Informed Consent shall be conducted orally by the physician/qualified professional, be signed by both patient and provider, attesting she received all information at least 72 hours prior to procedure, and must include:

• Provider’s name that will provide the pills & any needed care for complication
• Probable gestational age of the child at the time of the procedure
• Detailed description of the steps of medical abortion
• Detailed list of the risks/complications related to the specific abortion-inducing drug or drugs to be used, including hemorrhage, failure to remove all tissue of the unborn child which may require an additional procedure, sepsis, sterility, and possible continuation of the pregnancy
• Risks of carrying to term
• Display of real time view ultrasound with fetal heart tone monitoring
• Information on state printed informational materials
• Information on Rh incompatibility
• Notice that the woman may see the remains of her unborn child in the process of completing the abortion.
• Whether or not the physician has liability insurance
• Hospital within 30 miles of procedure & whether or not the physician has clinical privileges
• Explanation of patient rights:
  • May qualify for medical benefits for her & child
  • Public assistance may be available
  • Father is liable for child support
  • She has the option to parent or place for adoption
  • Printed materials describing her rights are available
  • Ensure she is not being forced and she can choose to withdraw consent at any time
  • Ensure she understands the medication is intended to end her pregnancy
  • Ensure she understands the regimen and the risks & has the opportunity to ask any questions
  • Ensure she has access to printed state-provided materials* on informed consent
  • If applicable, the name & number of physician to provide care & treatment in the case of complications
  • She has the right to sue if she believes she was coerced or misled
  • She receives a copy of all signed/initialed forms and consent forms
  • Physician must sign a written declaration stating that prior to the medication abortion procedure, the qualified physician has (i) explained the abortion procedure to be used, (ii) provided all of the information required in this section, and (iii) answered all of the woman’s questions regarding abortion.

Medical abortion (Abortion Pill) physician responsibilities:

• Verify pregnancy
• Determine blood type & assess/treat for Rh factor
• Provide any medically indicated tests such as hemoglobin/hematocrit to assess for complication risk
• Screen for coercion & abuse & refer as appropriate
• Verify gestational age no more than 70 days
• Document gestational age, tests, & treatments
• Provide (or technician in conjunction may provide) real-time view of ultrasound at least four hours prior to procedure that includes explanation & medical description of images
• Obtain written documentation from the patient that ultrasound requirement was met
• Comply with all required reporting

Does all this seem a little overwhelming?

Our team of professionals at Gateway Women’s Care is committed to ensuring that you know and understand all your rights and can advocate for yourself, whatever provider you choose. When you come to us for pre-abortion services, you have full access to our healthcare team to ask any questions and be fully prepared for your next steps.

For a FREE & CONFIDENTIAL appointment, call or text us today.
Raleigh: 919-833-0096
Durham/Chapel Hill: 919-251-9444
Confidential text: 919-901-0096