The recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling that jeopardized widely used fertility treatments has sparked worry in Texas patients.
They’re concerned their hard-fought efforts to have a baby could be derailed because, they think, Alabama lawmakers may have set the stage for similar laws (to protect these embryos like they’re children) in other states.
Amanda Zurawski is one of those patients. She plans to move her embryos out of Texas.
Zurawski was already in the process of suing Texas after she almost lost her life because she claims terminating her 18-week pregnancy would have prevented a life-threatening complication she suffered from (sepsis).
Zurawski has been fighting for reproductive rights while also continuing to pursue having a baby.
“We’re still very hopeful. We still very much want children. My ability to carry has been compromised, so we’ll have to pursue a different route. But we are hopeful,” Zurawski said.
Since Alabama IVF clinics have had to halt treatments while clarifying legalese, women like Zurawski are terrified the time-sensitive process could be interrupted if Texas decides to follow suit.
Dr. Timothy Hickman, with CCRM Fertility in Houston, said patients are reaching out to his practice hoping to transfer their embryos.
Amanda intends to move her embryos out of Texas. Her embryos are her last shot at a biological child and after the Alabama ruling, she’s worried potential new laws could stall her progress.
“There’s a bit of a disconnect between the science and the language that’s being used,” said Dr. Hickman.
Political language and medical terminology colliding is also what Zurawski v. State of Texas is about.
Now alongside 22 plaintiffs, Zurawski wants the state to change the terminology of the abortion ban laws, more clearly defining medical exemptions.
“When I was in the ICU, or when I was in between after I was diagnosed and being admitted to the ICU, as symptoms changed, as things changed, [the doctors] were consulting legal boards and ethics boards, and it’s like all could have been prevented if they would have just been able to do what they knew needed to happen,” Zurawski said.
As for relocating the embryos, she said, “It’s a complicated process, but we’re optimistic we’ll get them on the move soon.”
