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Abortion Laws by Country

Americas | Mexico

Abortion Laws in Mexico

Is abortion legal in Mexico?

Since 2007, abortion services have been available upon request in Mexico City for all women seeking to terminate their pregnancies within the first 12 weeks of gestation. However, an abortion can be performed after the 12th week of pregnancy if the pregnancy is a result of unwanted insemination, rape or incest and/or if it is approved by two medical practitioners under the following conditions:

  • continuing the pregnancy may be a risk to the mother’s physical or mental health; and/or
  • the fetus may have severe physical or mental abnormalities should the pregnancy continue to full term;
  • unavoidable circumstances that might happen to the woman.

Access to abortion is quite different in the rest of the country, outside of Mexico City. A woman within 12 weeks of gestation can terminate her pregnancy depending on the following conditions written under each individual state’s law:

  • Aguascalientes- rape and/or life in danger.
  • Baja California- rape, life in danger, and/or unwanted insemination.
  • Baja California Sur- rape, life in danger, health at risk, abnormalities in the fetus, and/or unwanted insemination.
  • Campeche- rape and/or health at risk.
  • Coahuila de Zaragoza- rape, life in danger, and/or abnormalities in the fetus.
  • Colima- rape, life in danger, health at risk, abnormalities in the fetus, and/or unwanted insemination.
  • Chiapas- rape, life in danger, and/or abnormalities in the fetus.
  • Chihuahua- rape, health at risk, and/or unwanted insemination.
  • Durango- rape and/or life in danger.
  • Guanajuato- rape.
  • Guerrero- rape, health at risk, unwanted insemination and/or abnormalities in the fetus.
  • Hidalgo- rape, health at risk, unwanted insemination and/or abnormalities in the fetus.
  • Jalisco- rape, life in danger, and/or health at risk.
  • Mexico State- rape, life in danger, and/or abnormalities in the fetus.
  • Michoacán de Ocampo- rape, health at risk, unwanted insemination, abnormalities in the fetus and/or economic problems.
  • Morelos- rape, life in danger, abnormalities in the fetus, and/or unwanted insemination.
  • Nayarit- rape, life in danger, and/or health at risk.
  • Nuevo León- rape, life in danger, and/or health at risk.
  • Oaxaca- rape, life in danger, and/or abnormalities in the fetus.
  • Puebla- rape, life in danger, and/or abnormalities in the fetus.
  • Querétaro- rape.
  • Quintana Roo- rape, life in danger, and/or abnormalities in the fetus.
  • San Luis Potosí- rape, life in danger, and/or unwanted insemination.
  • Sinaloa- rape and/or life in danger.
  • Sonora- rape and/or life in danger
  • Tabasco- rape, life in danger, and/or unwanted insemination.
  • Tamaulipas- rape, life in danger, and/or health at risk.
  • Tlaxcala- rape, health at risk, unwanted insemination, and/or abnormalities in the fetus.
  • Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave- rape, life in danger, unwanted insemination and/or abnormalities in the fetus.
  • Yucatán- rape, life in danger, and/or abnormalities in the fetus.
  • Zacatecas- rape, life in danger, and/or health at risk.

What are the different abortion services available in Mexico?

  • Medical Abortion (Abortion by pill: Mifepristone, Misoprostol, Cytotec)
  • Manual Vacuum Aspiration
  • Surgical Abortion
  • Dilation and Curettage
  • Post Abortion Care

Who can perform abortions in Mexico?

  • Registered health professionals:
  • Medical Doctors
  • Medical Practitioners
  • Gynecologists
  • Midwives
  • Nurses

Where can I go for abortion services in Mexico?

  • Private Hospitals
  • Public hospitals
  • Private clinics
  • Private sanatorium
  • Private practices of registered health professional
  • Specialized private sexual and reproductive Health facilities, i.e. Marie Stopes

What is the cost of an abortion in Mexico?

Government (public) facilities listed at Secretaría de Salud de la CDMX provide free abortions.
In private clinics:

  • Medical abortion from 4 weeks to 9 weeks of pregnancy costs on average between $500-$3,500.
  • Manual Vacuum Aspiration from 8 weeks to 12 weeks on average between $2,500-$7,000
  • Surgical abortion from 8 weeks and beyond 12 weeks on average between $2,800-$9,500
  • Most of the procedures include a contraceptive method for free.
  • Medical aid (insurance) has criteria for covering abortion. Please check what yours covers.

What are the legal and safe drugs available in Mexico?

  • Mifepristone (RU-486) plus misoprostol (Cytotec or Cyrux)
  • Misoprostol

Can I buy abortion pills at a pharmacy in Mexico?

Yes (with a medical prescription)

Can I buy abortion pills online in Mexico?

No

Who can I contact for additional abortion information and support in Mexico?

Mexico has high numbers of unsafe abortions because of its criminalization outside Mexico City. Estimates suggest that between 1990-2013, 83% of women using unsafe abortion methods in Mexico ended up requiring hospitalization, and 53% died (Ipas México, 2013), most of whom were adolescents. Women can travel to Mexico City to access safe abortion procedures. Some organizations will even help with their relocation to the capital.

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