Mother describes leaving Idaho for abortion as Supreme Court considers state's ban
The Supreme Court will weigh whether Idaho's abortion ban conflicts with a federal law that requires hospitals to provide patients treatment in emergencies.
BOISE, Idaho — It was the news that every expectant mother dreads. Twelve weeks pregnant with her second child, Jennifer Adkins learned her developing fetus had Turner syndrome, a rare chromosomal abnormality, and was unlikely to survive. On top of that, doctors warned that her own health could be in jeopardy.
Adkins was at high risk of what’s known as Mirror Syndrome — a condition in which the pregnant mother develops symptoms that mimic those of her deteriorating fetus, including swelling, high blood pressure and potentially pre-eclampsia.
But when she raised the prospect of terminating the pregnancy with her doctors, Adkins learned it was not an option: The fetus still had a heartbeat.
“They said we’re surprised that you’re still pregnant, given the severity of what we’re seeing on ultrasound. Most people would have miscarried by now,” she said. “I was just in total, total shock.”
Jennifer Adkins.NBC NewsIdaho is one of more than a dozen states that have banned nearly all abortions. Anyone who performs an abortion here is subject to up to five years in prison, and medical professionals who violate the law can also lose their licenses.The law provides an exemption if a doctor finds the procedure is necessary to prevent the death of the woman. But doctors in Idaho say there’s significant confusion about what to do when a patient is carrying a fetus that is not viable and could cause devastating complications, but she is not on the brink of death.
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