A dismemberment abortion—also known as a dilation and evacuation (D&E) abortion—is an abortion in which a person dismembers and extracts the unborn child from the uterus through the use of clamps, grasping forceps, tongs, scissors, or a similar instrument. Some states have passed dismemberment abortion bans. These laws are usually located in a state’s statutes.

Laws vary from state to state and under some state laws the term dismemberment abortion does not include an abortion that uses suction to dismember the body of an unborn child by sucking pieces of the unborn child into a collection container. The term includes a dismemberment abortion that is used to cause the death of an unborn child and in which suction is subsequently used to extract pieces of the unborn child after the unborn child's death.

In Ohio, as of my knowledge cutoff in early 2023, Senate Bill 145, which was signed into law in 2018, prohibits the performance of a dilation and evacuation (D&E) abortion, also known as a dismemberment abortion, unless it is necessary to prevent a serious health risk to the mother. This law defines a D&E abortion as a procedure in which a fetus is removed from the uterus with surgical tools. However, the law has faced legal challenges, and its enforcement status may change over time due to ongoing litigation or additional legislative actions. It is important for individuals seeking or providing abortion services in Ohio to consult with an attorney to understand the current legal status of D&E abortions and to ensure compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.