In 2022, after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade, a trigger ban in Texas went into effect. This meant that for doctors, performing an abortion after the moment of fertilization in pregnancy, became a punishable felony. In fact, those who violated could face up to life in prison. While there were exceptions, such as “a life-threatening physical condition aggravated by, caused by, or arising from a pregnancy,” exactly how and when such an exception would be honored were unclear.
Not long after, in 2023, 34-year-old Kyleigh Thurman started to unexpectedly bleed heavily. She did not know she was pregnant at the time, but her doctor encouraged her to take a pregnancy test. It was positive. She continued to experience cramping, dizziness and more bleeding. She ended up having to go to the ER a total of six times to receive proper treatment and a diagnosis. Doctors first sent her home, telling her she was just experiencing a miscarriage. Eventually, tests confirmed she had an ectopic pregnancy.
