Texas Abortion Ban Scrutinized After Preventable Death of 28-Year-Old Mother
October 31, 2024Two days later, she returned to the hospital due to heavy bleeding, but was told this was expected after her miscarriage.
Barnica ultimately succumbed to sepsis linked to 'products of conception' three days after her miscarriage, a death that medical experts have labeled as 'preventable'.
Texas' stringent abortion laws impose severe penalties on doctors, including lengthy prison sentences, creating an environment of confusion regarding emergency medical interventions.
Barnica was 17 weeks pregnant when she sought medical care for severe cramps, only to face delays in treatment due to Texas laws surrounding abortion.
Since the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, Texas has implemented strict abortion laws that complicate medical care for women facing pregnancy complications.
The implications of such abortion bans have become a focal point in U.S. elections, with rising public support for abortion rights in the wake of Barnica's case.
Her ordeal began on September 2, 2021, when she first visited the hospital, and despite her cervix being nearly 9cm dilated, doctors could not legally intervene until a 'medical emergency' was declared.
Colin Allred, a U.S. representative and Senate candidate, has linked Barnica's death to the anti-abortion stance of his opponent, emphasizing the urgent need for accessible health care in Texas.
Josseli Barnica, a 28-year-old mother from Texas, tragically died from a preventable infection after experiencing a miscarriage, just days after the state enacted a strict six-week abortion ban.
After 40 hours of waiting, during which fetal cardiac activity was still detected, Barnica was finally given medication to expedite labor, but complications arose shortly after her release.
Experts criticized the delay in Barnica's treatment, asserting that timely medical intervention could have significantly increased her chances of survival.
Despite the public outcry, Texas officials, including Governor Greg Abbott and Senator Ted Cruz, have not commented on Barnica's death or its broader implications.
Summary based on 3 sources
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Sources
The Guardian • Oct 30, 2024
Texas woman died after being denied miscarriage care due to abortion ban, report finds