A Texas woman, currently pregnant and facing a high-risk situation due to her unborn child’s genetic condition, has taken legal action against the state. She is seeking the right to terminate her pregnancy, citing potential threats to her life if she continues carrying the baby to term.
Jane Reynolds, the woman filing the lawsuit, expressed concerns about the existing abortion ban in Texas, which could implicate her gynecologist and husband legally should she opt for an abortion within the state.
This legal move is believed to be among the initial individual efforts to seek a court-ordered abortion post the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade last year, as reported by sources close to the case.
“Currently at 20 weeks of pregnancy, Ms. Reynolds has encountered severe cramping and unexplained fluid leaks, leading to three emergency room visits within a month,” the lawsuit states. “Given her history of two cesarean surgeries (‘C-sections’), continuing the pregnancy poses significant risks to her life and future fertility, including potential complications like uterine rupture and the need for a hysterectomy.”
Reynolds was informed that her baby was diagnosed with trisomy 18, a condition indicating a short life expectancy outside the womb, often lasting only a few days. The lawsuit underscores that medical professionals have indicated limited options, forcing her to either wait until the baby’s passing inside her or carry the pregnancy to term, enduring a third C-section while witnessing the baby’s suffering until eventual death.
Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards syndrome, manifests with heart defects and organ irregularities. Approximately half of the affected fetuses do not survive until birth. For those born, the majority pass away within a few days, with over 90% not surviving beyond a year.
Texas law restricts abortions after about six weeks, allowing exceptions only to save the mother’s life or to prevent “substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function, other than a psychological condition.” Despite experiencing severe cramping and multiple emergency room visits, Reynolds, at 20 weeks pregnant, is uncertain if her situation aligns with the law’s unclear provisions for a permissible abortion.
Expressing her anguish, Reynolds stated, “I do not wish to prolong the suffering linked to this pregnancy. Nor do I want to subject my body to the risks associated with continuing it.”
Represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights, Reynolds seeks a temporary restraining order and a permanent injunction preventing the state from enforcing its abortion ban against her, her spouse, and her physician.
“While Reynolds’ life might not be in immediate danger, she faces significant risks of severe medical conditions jeopardizing her future fertility, which could unexpectedly escalate to life-threatening situations,” the lawsuit emphasizes.
The lawsuit highlights that Dr. Sarah Parker, Reynolds’ OB-GYN, holds a “sincere belief” that Reynolds falls within the legal exception for abortion. However, due to the potential legal consequences—such as loss of a medical license, imprisonment, and substantial fines—Dr. Parker cannot proceed without a court order affirming her stance.
As of Tuesday, the Texas Attorney General’s Office had not responded to requests for comments on the matter.
