Chicago Clinic Offers Third-Trimester Abortions, Drawing Controversy

A Chicago abortion clinic has begun offering third-trimester abortion services. The Hope Clinic, which has a location in Granite City, opened a second clinic in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood on June 2nd. The clinic announced it would offer abortions throughout all trimesters of pregnancy.

The clinic's website states it provides surgical abortion procedures to women up to 34 weeks into their pregnancy. According to reports, this clinic is one of only a few nationwide that offers these services. Under Illinois law, abortions are permitted up to the point of fetal viability, around 24 weeks, for any reason. Later abortions are allowed if the mother's health or well-being is threatened by the pregnancy.

The clinic's social media posts explain some reasons why women might seek later abortions. These include late discovery of pregnancy, new information such as a fetal anomaly diagnosis, difficulty accessing earlier care, or simply not wanting to be pregnant. The clinic emphasizes that individuals can make decisions that are right for them, without being constrained by others' timelines.

The clinic's chief medical officer stated that they would adhere to the law while ensuring abortion access for as many people as possible. At 34 weeks, a baby is considered near-term. Studies show that over 90% of babies born after 28 weeks survive outside the womb.

A recent poll indicates that a majority of Americans oppose legal abortion in the second and third trimesters. A local pro-life activist expressed concern about the clinic's services, describing abortions at this stage as "brutality." Another pro-life organization representative stated that babies in the third trimester are "fully formed, unique human beings" and called abortions at this stage "especially gruesome and unnecessary."

The Hope Clinic defended its services, stating that they provide compassionate abortion care in accordance with Illinois law. They emphasized the importance of expanding access to later abortion care, especially with abortion bans in other areas. They believe all people deserve access to high-quality health care throughout pregnancy.