Young Mother Dies After Abortion Ban Delays Critical Medical Procedure
Amber Thurman, a 28-year-old medical assistant from Atlanta and mother of a six-year-old son, passed away on August 20, 2022, due to a sepsis infection following an incomplete abortion. Her death has brought attention to the impact of Georgia’s new abortion laws.
Thurman’s tragic demise occurred just two weeks after Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp signed the state’s “Heartbeat” abortion ban into law, which prohibits abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, typically around six weeks. The law includes exceptions only for cases of rape, incest, or where the mother’s life is at risk. Violations carry severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison and the revocation of medical licenses.
On the day Thurman arrived at the hospital by ambulance, vomiting blood and in a state of collapse, doctors delayed performing a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure, a standard treatment for incomplete abortions. The delay, influenced by the new law, proved fatal as Thurman’s condition deteriorated rapidly. Despite eventual surgical intervention, she did not survive.
Her death has been classified as “preventable” by a Georgia state committee that investigates maternal deaths. The investigation revealed that Thurman had traveled to North Carolina to obtain abortion pills, which failed to completely clear her uterus, leading to the fatal infection.
The committee’s report, recently published by ProPublica, highlights the chaos and fear among medical professionals grappling with the new restrictions. Dr. Didi St Louis, an Atlanta-based OBGYN, described the environment as one of uncertainty and fear, stating, “I shouldn’t have to be fearing that I will go to jail when I’m treating patients.”
Thurman’s case is not isolated. Other women in states with similar abortion bans face severe health risks, including delays in receiving necessary medical care. These laws have led to heartbreaking stories of women forced to seek medical assistance out of state or suffering severe complications due to delayed treatments.
For example, Candi Miller, a 41-year-old mother of three from Atlanta with serious health conditions, died after attempting a self-managed abortion. Terrified of the legal repercussions, she did not seek medical help, leading to fatal complications from an infection.
The impact of these abortion bans extends beyond individual cases. Medical professionals report significant delays in care, increased risks for pregnant women, and a challenging environment for providing treatments. According to Dr. St Louis, doctors now operate “under an element of fear,” navigating the complexities of the law while trying to offer necessary medical care.
The ongoing debate over abortion laws continues to raise critical questions about women’s health and rights. As these laws evolve, the medical community and affected individuals call for clarity and the prioritization of patient safety.
For detailed coverage of Amber Thurman’s case and Georgia’s abortion laws, visit the ProPublica report.
