The Impact of Late-Term Abortion Laws on Loving, Expectant Parents

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When Emily and Jason Thompson discovered at 20 weeks that their baby faced insurmountable medical challenges, their only wish was to find relief from the unbearable situation. Tragically, due to a heartless law that exists solely to inflict pain and shame upon pregnant women, they were instructed to leave the hospital and wait for their child to pass away in utero.

Yes, you read that correctly. Emily was compelled to endure the agony of carrying a stillborn baby instead of being induced to end her suffering. The couple had eagerly anticipated this child, even decorating the nursery and choosing the name Oliver, inspired by a beloved character from a classic story. However, when Emily sensed something was amiss at 20 weeks, they rushed to the hospital, fearing the worst. “By the time they arrived, Oliver’s feet were already pressing through Emily’s cervix,” reports a source. “Doctors attempted emergency interventions, including positioning Emily for a cervical cerclage, but nothing worked.”

In a poignant Reddit post, Jason expressed the horror of their ordeal: “The humane choice would have been to break the sac and allow little Oliver to come into the world, albeit too early to survive. However, owing to Texas’s inhumane ‘Women’s Health Laws,’ that option was off the table. We were forced to listen to his heartbeat.” Despite the stark reality that their baby would not survive, the law forbade any steps to induce labor since Oliver still had a heartbeat.

The anguish for this couple extended far beyond the sound of a heartbeat they knew would never lead to nurturing a child. Emily had to endure the torment of feeling her baby struggle and ultimately fade away over several days. “We cried ourselves to sleep every night,” Jason shared. “We spent four agonizing days in and out of the hospital, praying for nature to take its course.” The hospital staff empathized with their plight but were powerless to help due to the restrictions set by Texas law HB2. Although both mother and baby were deemed “healthy,” the reality was grim, as the amniotic sac was already protruding from the cervix, making survival impossible.

After a harrowing wait, Emily’s water finally broke, and she delivered Oliver—stillborn. “Now, we are back home, grieving our loss. We will find a way to heal, but my heart aches for the countless others who will suffer due to these cruel laws.”

This is the reality that late-term abortion laws create: they punish loving parents. Did you know that only about one percent of abortions occur after 20 weeks of gestation? Most people are unaware of this statistic, largely due to anti-choice politicians who focus on late-term abortion legislation. The truth is, nearly 90% of abortions happen within the first 12 weeks, long before a fetus can survive outside the womb. So, what is the real goal behind these laws? They propagate the narrative that women seeking abortions are impulsive and irresponsible.

The real stories, like that of the Thompsons, highlight a tragic reality. No couple should have to endure such suffering due to misinformation and unnecessary legislation. After all, an image of a 20-week fetus on an anti-choice poster resonates more than that of a 7-week one.

Currently, there are 120,000 children in the U.S. foster care system waiting for adoption. Perhaps the “pro-life” movement should shift its focus to supporting those children who are already here, rather than tormenting couples facing impossible decisions. One cannot claim to cherish life while simultaneously disregarding the pain of families who long for healthy babies and face such torment because of outdated laws.

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In summary, late-term abortion laws create a painful and unnecessary burden on loving families, forcing them into tragic situations that could be avoided. With a focus on education and compassion, we can work toward a more supportive environment for parents facing difficult choices.