A Dallas-area mother found out that her fetus has trisomy 18, a genetic condition that can cause stillbirth or death of a newborn. The court order allows her to end the pregnancy.

A Texas judge on Thursday granted an emergency order allowing a pregnant woman whose fetus has a fatal diagnosis to get an abortion in the state.

Late last month, Kate Cox, a 31-year-old Dallas-area mother of two who is about 20 weeks pregnant, found out that her developing fetus has trisomy 18, a rare chromosomal disorder likely to cause stillbirth or the death of the baby shortly after it’s born.

Cox told NBC News Thursday afternoon that she was “hopeful” and very grateful after the judge’s decision.

  • partial_accumen
    20•11 months ago

    Yeah, and if someone receives the diagnosis too late then there may not be time to go to court and still perform the procedure before it’s too late. This woman was lucky to have lawyers working on her behalf.

    And lets be realistic, money.

    Bans on abortion, even a nationwide ban, is just a ban on abortion for the poor.

    • the rich can fly to another country to get an abortion without even thinking about the time or costs
    • the middle class can drain their retirement savings, get a second mortgage, or sell their few valuables to be able to get enough money to fly to another country to get an abortion

    The only the poor don’t have enough resources to get an abortion, so the poor are forced to give birth. This is the republican dream made real.

    • Hillock
      7•11 months ago

      While I wish it wasn’t necessary to go take these steps, the cost of going to a different country for an abortion are much smaller than you imply.

      The total cost to get a surgical abortion in Canada is at most USD 5,000. That includes flight, hotel, the procedure, and going back to Canada for a checkup after 2-3 weeks. That’s still a lot of money but not take a second mortgage money.

      Depending on the exact clinic and circumstances the total for a surgical could be closer to USD 2,500.

      If you notice the pregnancy early and can get a medical abortion the total cost is below USD 1,000 and that includes 3-4 nights in Canada so you don’t have to take any medication into the US.

      Again having to go through this is bullshit and it is still more money than some can afford. But I don’t want anyone reading your comment to think it costs tens of thousands of dollars to get an abortion out of the country.

      • partial_accumen
        6•11 months ago

        First, I really appreciate you laying out some actual numbers for people reading this post. I’m glad you’re providing this information.

        While I wish it wasn’t necessary to go take these steps, the cost of going to a different country for an abortion are much smaller than you imply.

        …and…

        That’s still a lot of money but not take a second mortgage money.

        The middle class itself is a range of incomes and financial situations. Sadly, many in the USA firmly in the middle class would find and extreme struggle to come up with $5k USD unplanned.

        56% of Americans can’t cover a $1,000 emergency expense with savings

        I was trying to drive the point home that the only ones that don’t have the option through any means are the poor.