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Assignment: Heartbeats, abortion and Texas

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Heartbeats, abortion and Texas

24/03/2022 GMT

BBC World Service - Assignment, Heartbeats, abortion and Texas

The impact of the most restrictive abortion law in the United States

In September, 2021 the state of Texas introduced the most restrictive abortion law in the United States. SB8, also known as the Heartbeat Act, prohibits the termination of pregnancy after around six weeks’ gestation – the point at which some claim a heartbeat can be detected.  

SB8 has given traction to those who advocate for alternatives for women faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Just outside Dallas, a Christian couple are working to bring about a "maternity ranch" to provide homes for pregnant, single mothers.  

Of course many women don’t even know they are pregnant by the six-week mark. So the law has promoted vigilance. And countless women hold their breath as they undergo an ultrasound in the state’s few remaining abortion clinics. If they are in time, they can terminate their pregnancy in Texas. If not, they will have to travel to another state.     

But for some Texans, the law does not go far enough – they want a total ban on abortion. And in towns across the state, pro-life activists have pushed local government to declare their communities, ‘Sanctuaries for the Unborn Child’. Assignment reports from Abilene, where pro-life activists are lobbying to put in place an ordinance that would prohibit abortion within the city limits. So far, 39 Texan towns have outlawed abortion completely.  

Presenter:  Linda Pressly
Producer:  Tim Mansel

(Image: Aubrey Schlackman is planning on opening a ‘maternity ranch’ for single, pregnant mothers in Texas. Credit: Tim Mansel/BBC)

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