Sonogram requirement gives potential Texas mothers an appropriate pause

In an Austin American Statesman article published February 28, 2012, contributor Ashley Sanchez discusses the recent law passed that affects potential mothers in Texas.  The author provides input from the fetus’ side of the story.  It is pointed out that there are many people out there who began their lives as unwanted pregnancies and are grateful today to have gotten a chance at life.  The option of adoption is brought up in this commentary.  Using Steve Jobs as an example, Sanchez makes a valid point that if raising a child is not suitable for the woman, adoption is a happy ending for the child as well as it’s new family. 

For some women, when going into an abortion clinic they are confronted by others suggesting they should be ashamed of themselves and called names by protestors that are against their decision.  For some percent of women, this treatment alone might put an end to their decision to proceed with the abortion.  But with the new ultrasound law, there is even more emotional distress than ever that is put on pregnant women. Although Texas law doesn’t specify the type of sonogram that the woman must receive, a trans-vaginal ultrasound is usually necessary to meet the doctors requirements of showing the woman the fetus, making the heartbeat audible, and describing the features of the fetus. Perhaps the additional step will turn away another percent of women that would have proceeded to follow through with the abortion.

However, because there is now another procedure added to the abortion process, more time is needed from both the patient and the doctor.  Clinics will now face scheduling conflicts due to the fact that the ultrasound will have to be done 24 hours prior to the abortion procedure.  The cost will also be driven up if women are required to pay for the mandatory ultrasound in addition to the abortion.  Which surely isn’t an issue to those mandating the law, but will be a major factor for those women who are financially unstable. 

I can’t say that I agree or disagree completely with the new sonogram law.  Of course it depends on the situation of the particular pregnancy.  One viewpoint is that it is somewhat condescending to women and treats them as though they don’t already know what is in the their uterus.  But the viewpoint is that giving women all of the information that they need will help the decision they make, whatever that decision is.