Utrasound and Abortion

Should women have the option to see an ultrasound before submitting to an abortion? Maryland Right to Life says yes!

The doctrine of informed consent is well-established in medical care. It is generally accepted that patients have a right to be active participants in any health care decision.

For this to happen, health care providers have an obligation to give patients accurate information in a manner that they are able to understand about any medical procedure being considered.

Abortion is procedure that is often sought under great duress. Women seeking an abortion often feel frightened and desperate. They may be under age—especially in Maryland, where the abortionist has the right to waive parental notification. They may feel rushed into doing something quickly to "make the problem go away."

In addition, young women often are pressured into obtaining an abortion by their parents of boyfriends. According to a survey published by the Elliott Institute, 64 percent of American women undergoing abortions said they felt pressured to do so by others. More than 80 percent reported they did not receive adequate counseling beforehand and more than half said they felt rushed or uncertain before the abortion.

Given the emotional stress of an unwanted pregnancy and the possibility of pressure from trusted others, some of these women may lack a clear understanding of their pregnancy, their unborn child's level of development, or the possible effects an abortion may have on their physical, mental, and emotional health.

Some of these women will experience emotional or psychological difficulties after the abortion. Statistics on the incidence of post-abortion trauma vary widely, but the existence of post-abortion stress is well accepted. Much of the available research suggests that women who are conflicted about the abortion decision may be at higher risk to experience negative post-abortion reactions.
 
It seems reasonable to assume that women who feel rushed or coerced into making an abortion decision also may be at higher risk to experience post-abortion trauma. Women who seek help for post-abortion stress often say that they might have made a different decision if they had truly understood what they were undertaking.

Because abortion can have far-reaching implications for some women, and its effects are irreversible, it is essential that the decision is made with full knowledge and due consideration of all the pertinent information.

Maryland Right to Life believes that women seeking an abortion have the same right to informed consent as any patient considering an elective surgical procedure. In this regard, we are in agreement with the National Abortion Federation, which states in its 2008 Clinical Policy Guidelines, "Obtaining informed consent and assessing that the decision to have an abortion is made freely by the patient are essential parts of the abortion process." 
 
Giving informed consent requires that patients have access to complete information about their situation and the possible effects of the proposed procedure. With regard to pregnancy, such complete information must include the option to view an ultrasound.

Ultrasound imaging has become a standard tool for evaluating a pregnancy, and it is often a routine part of an abortion procedure. Ultrasound imaging accurately depicts the uterine contents, making it an agenda-free and scientifically accurate resource for a woman contemplating abortion. Therefore, we believe that every woman should be made explicitly aware of the availability of this resource prior to making an abortion decision.

Sixteen other states have enacted laws requiring abortion providers to tell patients that they have the right to see an ultrasound image of the embryo or fetus they are carrying. This type of legislation respects a woman's capacity to make her own informed healthcare decisions by ensuring she is aware of her right to access a vital resource.
 
By ensuring that women are aware of their right to view an ultrasound image if they wish, these laws promote  informed decision-making.
 
Not every woman will choose to view an ultrasound. However some may want to see the image, but may feel hesitant to ask of the option is not presented to them.  Some of those who do view the ultrasound image will go on to have the abortion.

Ultrasound legislation does not interfere with the woman's decision. Rather, it ensures that the choice to have an abortion is made freely, after having the opportunity to consider all the relevant information.

Maryland Right to Life believes a woman has a right to know all the details about her pregnancy and the abortion procedure prior to making her decision.

View an actual 4-D sonogram of an 11-week fetus!

Download Ultrasound Petition Forms (collect signatures and return to MDRTL)

• 11-inch version (regular paper)
• 14-inch version (legal-size paper)

Sign an on-line petition to support ultrasound option legislation in Maryland.

An 8-week unborn baby swims happily in his mother's womb. At this stage, arms and legs are present and the baby's heart has been beating for five weeks. This is the stage at which most abortions are performed.

At 16 weeks, the unborn baby is still less than halfway to birth. All organs and systems are present, and the baby needs only food, oxygen, and time to grow. Abortions can be legally performed on babies this age and even older.