Consequences of gestational age limits for people needing abortion care during the COVID-19 pandemic

As the global COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, risks to sexual and reproductive health rights have rightly been at the forefront. Abortion access, in particular, should remain essential, with the reduction of burdensome, non-evidence-based requirements, such as in-person visits for early medical abortion. We conducted a mixed-methods study on barriers to legal abortion and abortion travel in Europe, funded by the European Research Council (ERC), showing that GA limits are the first reason why participants from countries where abortion is legally accessible in the first trimester travel abroad. While also needing to improve the access and availability of early medical abortion, we urge governments to revise and expand GA limits in abortion and revisit conditions and requirements.