Texas Senate Bill 8 and Abortion Experiences in Patients With Fetal Diagnoses

Abstract

Financial support for this study provided by the Society of Family Planning.

Fetoscopic laser photocoagulation for complex heterokaryotypic monochorionic twin pregnancy management

“…Depending on the severity of the associated malformations and potentially life-limiting conditions, management may vary from observation to selective termination or termination of pregnancy 2 . Management options are currently limited in several areas within the USA by legislation regulating termination of pregnancy after the demonstration of cardiac function on ultrasound 3 .…”

Abortion Bans Harm Not Just Pregnant People—They Harm Newborns and Infants Too

“…This fear and isolation affects the ability of pregnant people to process the trauma of experiencing a pregnancy with a severe fetal diagnosis. 4 Researchers from 2 Dallas hospitals, including one of the busiest labor and delivery units in the country, illustrate a significant increase in maternal morbidity with subsequent poor fetal outcomes in the period immediately following the enactment of SB8. Expectant management of pregnancy complications, rather than indicated abortion care, resulted in a near doubling of maternal morbidity, including hemorrhage, intensive care unit admission, and a catastrophic uterine rupture that resulted in hysterectomy.…”

“…Pregnant people in Texas diagnosed with a life-limiting or lethal fetal condition have described not only a loss of the patient-physician relationship as a result of SB8 but also feelings of isolation and fears around confidentiality because of the law’s potential consequences. This fear and isolation affects the ability of pregnant people to process the trauma of experiencing a pregnancy with a severe fetal diagnosis . Researchers from 2 Dallas hospitals, including one of the busiest labor and delivery units in the country, illustrate a significant increase in maternal morbidity with subsequent poor fetal outcomes in the period immediately following the enactment of SB8.…”