West Alabama Women's Center Reopens As Nonprofit To Provide Non-Abortion Services

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The West Alabama Women's Center officially reopened for non-abortion services Monday after temporarily ceasing operations for a little more than two weeks due to Alabama's ban on elective abortions becoming law almost immediately with the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

As Patch previously reported, the clinic typically saw 200 patients a month prior to the lead up to the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court. But following a leaked draft of the opinion from Justice Samual Alito, the clinic said the last several months saw that number rise to roughly 300 patients a month.

While performing an elective abortion is now a felony in Alabama, the only exceptions provided in the law allows for abortions if the mother's life is in danger as a result of the pregnancy or if the mother is clinically diagnosed as suicidal.

In the wake of the news, the West Alabama Women's Center — once one of the busiest abortion clinics in the state and region — was forced to pivot from its normal operations to adjust to the new reality.

ALSO READ | Dogma & Demons: The Day Roe V. Wade Was Overturned In Alabama

Undeterred, though, the center is honoring the law of the land while still providing birth control options, prenatal exams, STI testing, telehealth consultations for non-abortion related procedures and more.

"We know that the best way to reduce abortion is to prevent unwanted pregnancies and provide preventative and prenatal care, and we can’t wait to support our community," the center said on social media Monday, before announcing that the West Alabama Women's Center has been granted nonprofit status. "We see our reopening as a new start as (mostly) the clinic we always wanted to be."

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com