o fifty percent of pregnancy related deaths. In Romania, abortions were outlawed from 1966 to 1989. During this time eighty percent of pregnancy related deaths were caused by illegal abortions. In countries where abortions are legal, deaths are only one percent (McGee 25).Legalization of abortions began in 1966, when Mississippi allowed abortions due to rape. By 1970, other states expanded the use of abortions to include cases where the pregnancy poses a threat to the womans life, the baby would have serious abnormalities, or if it was a result of incest (McGee 30). In 1973 the Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decided that abortion was legal for any reason before the twenty-fourth week of pregnancy, the point where it becomes viable. The laws allowed the states to regulate abortions after that point. With the exception of cases where carrying the pregnancy to full term poses a risk to the womans health or life (McGee 25).In 1976, the Supreme Court recognized the right of pregnant girls under the age of eighteen mature minors, if they chose to have an abortion. In 1979 the Court ruled that states have the power to require consenting of the minors parents who wants an abortion (Hodgson v. Minnesota (1990))(McGee 25). There is an alternative to the notification of parents. A confidential judicial hearing can be held. If the judge believes that the minor is mature enough to proceed with the abortion, then the courts decision can be used as a substitute to the parental consent. If not, then the court can decide what is in the minors best interest (McGee 26).In 1983, the court found it unconstitutional to require that a woman considering an abortion be given information developed by the state about risks and consequences, and then have a twenty- four hour waiting period, before the procedure can be preformed (McGee26). However, the 1989 Supreme Court decision in Webster v. Reproductive Health Services, the court a...
