The shock of Roe V Wade being overturned hasn’t seemed to have left us even after a year. This law previously established a precedent for how the United States handles women’s reproductive rights moving forward. Its overturn has left many women looking more closely at their options when it comes to adoption in Nevada. Now some are wondering if this will lead to an increase in adoptions across Nevada and the rest of the states. 

Many believe that adoption is a better alternative for terminating a pregnancy. However, there is not much evidence of truth to that statement. We at Adoption Choices of Nevada are here to lay out the facts. We can tell you how this affects adoption in a post-Roe world. 

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that adoption and abortion aren’t interchangeable. Giving a baby up for adoption isn’t a replacement for an abortion. What we know about adoption is that it’s one option for women who find that they need pregnancy adoption help. Adoption should not be hoisted onto a pregnant woman because it is her only choice. To go through the adoption process should be a decision that she feels is best for her. It should also be safe for her to go through. 

What is Roe v Wade?

In January 1973, in a 7-2 ruling, the Supreme Court struck a Texas law. The law banned abortions unless it was to save the mother’s life. The majority ruled that the decision to have an abortion was personal liberty. They saw it as a serious detriment to impose strict laws on a woman’s bodily autonomy. They saw that denying her access to her choices would lead to risks and unsafe practices. 

The Supreme Court established that the decision for a woman to terminate her pregnancy or not belonged to the individual. Therefore, the government had no right to make a woman continue her pregnancy or end it on a case-by-case basis. The law recognized that the fourteenth amendment, which protects the freedom of citizens, also includes rights to abortion and privacy. Since the case’s ruling in 1973, the law has affirmed and reaffirmed that abortion and bodily autonomy is essential. They concluded that bodily autonomy can’t be overseen by the government.

It was established so that women would not feel government pressure about what to do during their pregnancy. This was especially the case if there were health risks involved. 

How does Roe v Wade affect the Adoption Process in Nevada? 

Many of those against abortion were predicting that the overturning of Roe would increase the number of adoptions significantly. For years, anti-abortionists proposed that adoption is a better alternative or replacement for adoption In Nevada.  However, as we said before, adoption isn’t a replacement for abortion. In truth, adoption and abortion don’t have much correlation with each other. Placing a child in an adoption agency is vastly different than terminating a pregnancy. The circumstances that lead to each decision also vary from situation to situation, state to state. 

In the immediate aftermath, it seemed that there was no immediate effect on adoption. The Covid pandemic had more of an effect on the number of adoptions than Roe’s overturn. To some, it seemed that more women might have to turn to adoption as one of the only viable options. After a year, news reports stated that some agencies have seen an uptick in adoptions. However, the increase is not as drastic as some predicted. After all, adoption isn’t a replacement and shouldn’t be treated as such. Those that need an abortion will just get them in other states. It can be inconvenient and risky, but it will give them that choice. In Nevada, abortion is legal up through the 24th week of pregnancy if there is a serious risk during the pregnancy. Many say it’s still too early to see if giving up a child for adoption will surpass abortion numbers.

If Adoption is Your Best Option, Contact Adoption Choices of Nevada Now

After Roe, it’s imperative to know the laws in your state surrounding the choices you have for your pregnancy. It’s important to know that if adoption is best suited for you, Adoption Choices of Nevada can help support you. Search for adoption in Las Vegas and contact a Reno adoption center through Adoption Choices of Nevada. We have adoption counselors to help you cover financial costs, create an adoption plan, and other services. Know that in these times, there are resources out there to help you make the best decision for you and your future.