Tragic Consequences: Texas Woman's Death Exposes Risks of Abortion Ban on Miscarriage Care

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
25/11/2024 22h53

### Texas Woman Dies After Miscarriage Amid Abortion Ban

A Texas woman has died from inadequate medical treatment during a miscarriage, raising concerns about the impact of restrictive abortion laws. According to a new report from ProPublica, Porsha Ngumezi, a 35-year-old mother of two, passed away in June 2023 after suffering a miscarriage in Texas, where nearly all abortions are banned.

Ngumezi, who was ten weeks pregnant, began experiencing severe bleeding and sought medical assistance at Houston Methodist Sugar Land, part of the Houston Methodist hospital chain. Despite her continuous bleeding, multiple blood transfusions, and her deteriorating condition, Ngumezi’s treatment did not include a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure. Doctors later explained that a D&C, a common method for clearing the uterus after a miscarriage or abortion, was the appropriate response. However, it appears that fears surrounding Texas's stringent abortion laws may have influenced the medical team's decisions. According to Dr. Alison Goulding, a Houston OB-GYN, some doctors in states with abortion bans hesitate to perform D&Cs due to concerns about legal repercussions.

Instead of the recommended D&C, Ngumezi was given misoprostol, a medication used for miscarriages and abortions but potentially dangerous for women experiencing heavy bleeding, like Ngumezi. The decision to use misoprostol over a D&C possibly stemmed from the heightened legal scrutiny surrounding abortion-related procedures, making some doctors more cautious.

Ngumezi's condition worsened, and she started experiencing chest pain. Unfortunately, no additional tests were ordered to assess her situation properly. Hours later, she struggled to breathe and ultimately passed away in the presence of her husband.

Houston Methodist and the medical staff involved did not comment on Ngumezi's case. The hospital spokesperson emphasized that all Houston Methodist hospitals comply with state laws, including Texas abortion regulations.

ProPublica's investigation identified four other women who died after being denied prompt medical care following miscarriages or legal abortions. Among them were Texans Josseli Barnica and Nevaeh Crain, as well as Amber Nicole Thurman and Candi Miller from Georgia, where abortion is banned after six weeks of pregnancy.

In light of the deaths of Thurman and Miller, ProPublica revealed that Georgia dismissed all 32 members of a state committee responsible for reviewing maternal mortality and issuing recommendations to improve outcomes, further highlighting the broader implications of restrictive abortion laws on women's health.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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