Texas woman fainted from blood loss during miscarriage after doctors ‘refused medical care’ due to abortion ban
Ryan Hamilton, a Texas resident, recently went viral on social media after sharing the harrowing experience his wife, Jess, faced due to restrictive and vague abortion laws in the state. Jess suffered an "incomplete miscarriage" with their second child, leading to severe pain and bleeding. Despite seeking help from multiple doctors across two hospitals, they were denied medical intervention, including necessary medication and a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure.
In his post, Ryan recounted the distressing ordeal: “A new doctor was on call. He was an older man. You could hear him in the hallway as he said, ‘I’m not giving her a pill so she can go home and have an ab*rtion!’ He knew our baby no longer had a heartbeat. Then, he came into the room to say, ‘Considering the current stance, I’m not going to prescribe you this pill.’ Then, just sent us on our way.”
Jess's condition worsened, and Ryan found her unconscious on their bathroom floor after losing significant blood and bodily fluids over several days. “Now, not only do we have to live with the loss of our baby... we have to live with the nightmare of what we just experienced because of political and religious beliefs,” Ryan wrote.
Texas law prohibits abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected unless a "reasonable medical judgment"
determines there is a greater risk of death or impairment of a major bodily function to the pregnant person.
However, the law does not clearly define "reasonable medical judgment" or "major bodily function." Medical professionals who perform abortions without meeting these criteria face criminal prosecution and the potential loss of their medical licenses.
Ryan noted that during their third hospital visit, the staff seemed more concerned about legal implications than providing care. They confirmed the fetus had no heartbeat but delayed treatment, repeatedly asking the same questions and ultimately deciding Jess did not qualify for a D&C procedure.
This case is not isolated. Similar stories have emerged from Texas and other states with stringent anti-abortion laws. Kate Cox, another Texas woman, faced a dire medical situation when her unborn child was unlikely to survive the pregnancy or birth. Due to Texas's restrictive laws, she was denied an abortion. Cox is among those suing the state, arguing that the vague language of the law resulted in medically necessary abortions being withheld, causing significant harm.
Cox testified before the Texas Medical Board, advocating for clearer and less restrictive abortion laws. The board is currently reviewing the law's language to address these concerns.
The Hamiltons' and Cox's experiences highlight the severe impact of Texas's abortion laws on individuals facing medical emergencies during pregnancy. These restrictive laws have created situations where medical professionals are hesitant to provide necessary care due to fear of legal repercussions, putting patients' lives at risk.
