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Clarify health11/24/2023 ![]() While Dennard was pregnant in June 2022, the fetus she was carrying was diagnosed with anencephaly. On Thursday, another woman who left the state to access an abortion testified: Dr. “I survived sepsis, and I don’t think today was a much less traumatic event,” she said. After the hearing, Zurawski called this line of questioning traumatic. In cross-examination, state attorney Amy Pletscher questioned Zurawski on previous fertility procedures she had undergone and their possible effect on the health of her pregnancy. Zurawski herself spent three days in the intensive care unit. Several days later, she began experiencing symptoms of sepsis, and her baby was delivered stillborn. Her doctors told her a miscarriage was inevitable but that they could not legally induce labor until either the fetus’ heartbeat stopped or Zurawski’s life was immediately at risk. ![]() “Unfortunately, I was not able to do so.”Īmanda Zurawski, the lead plaintiff in the case, learned that her amniotic sac had ruptured prematurely when she was nearly 18 weeks pregnant. “I had wished to release my daughter into heaven sooner rather than later,” Casiano said. After returning from a recess, she said she commonly had this reaction when reliving the events around her pregnancy and Halo’s death. While discussing the ordeal in court, Casiano became so distraught that she began to vomit behind the stand. She gave birth to a daughter named Halo and watched the baby gasp for air and turn from “pink, to red, to purple.” Casiano said ongoing car trouble, child care obligations and fear of legal repercussion prevented her from pursuing an abortion out of state. Samantha Casiano’s late daughter was also diagnosed with anencephaly. Brandt traveled out of state for a selective reduction, which is not permitted under Texas abortion laws as it results in the termination of one fetus. Doctors told her this condition was “incompatible with life” and could eventually cause premature birth, endangering the healthy twin. Three of these women testified on Wednesday, recounting viscerally traumatic experiences in which wanted pregnancies ended in tragedy.Īshley Brandt recounted the moment while pregnant with twins when she was told one fetus had anencephaly, a condition in which the skull and brain do not properly develop. State of Texas are women who say they suffered from the ambiguity of Texas’ abortion law and should have been offered abortions. ![]() Thirteen of the 15 plaintiffs in Zurawski v. “Creating a list of every condition that would fall under the exception is impossible,” Duane said. A list of conditions, Duane argued, was an inadequate measure that would inevitably result in patients falling through the cracks. In opening arguments on Wednesday, Molly Duane, senior staff attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, also addressed HB 3058, a law recently passed in Texas that specifies two conditions that may be treated with abortion - ectopic pregnancy and premature prenatal rupture of membranes, or PPROM. “ something that guarantees physicians' protection if they practice within the standard of care,” Karsan said during a press conference following Wednesday’s proceedings. In addition to the temporary injunction, the plaintiffs are asking for a binding interpretation of this exception that allows physicians to exercise their “good faith judgment in consultation with the patient.” They say this would enable physicians to confidently provide abortions when a pregnant patient presents an emergent condition that threatens the life or health of that patient. The plaintiffs’ attorneys argued that the vague language of this exception has a chilling effect on medical care, with physicians fearing penalties that include up to 99 years of prison time, $100,000 or more in fines and the loss of their medical licenses. The sole exception to Texas’ abortion ban allows an abortion in the case of a “life-threatening physical condition aggravated by, caused by, or arising from a pregnancy” that “places the woman in danger of death or a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function.” Eight more women have since joined the suit. The case was filed in March by the Center for Reproductive Rights on behalf of five women who were denied abortions, along with two Texas obstetrician-gynecologists, Dr. ![]() She will also consider the state’s request to dismiss the case outright. Now, the decision rests with Judge Jessica Mangrum whether to grant the plaintiffs’ request to temporarily block Texas’ abortion ban as it applies to the law’s exception for medical emergencies. State of Texas, a Travis County district court heard testimony from both physicians and women who were denied abortions amid serious pregnancy complications. ![]()
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