Abortion

Fetus

Political science

Biology

Pregnancy

Genetics

Medicine

Legislation

Gynecology

Gestation

Obstetrics

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

ObjectiveRecent state-level legislation on abortion has encroached on access to reproductive care with disproportionate effects on underserved communities.1Perritt J. Grossman D. The health consequences of restrictive abortion laws.JAMA Intern Med. 2021; 181: 713-714Crossref PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar In Texas, 2 legislative actions have been at the forefront of this public health issue. Senate Bill 8 bans abortions once cardiac activity is identified using standard medical practice on the basis of the estimated gestational age with enforcement by private plaintiffs through civil lawsuits. Senate Bill 4 states that a physician administering medicine to end a pregnancy even in the setting of a maternal medical emergency has committed a felony, with jail time ranging from 180 days to 2 years and a $10,000 fine; it also expands abortion complication reporting. The current national standard of care of women not in labor presenting with rupture of membranes before neonatal viability allows expectant manageme...

Maternal morbidity and fetal outcomes among pregnant women at 22 weeks’ gestation or less with complications in 2 Texas hospitals after legislation on abortion