Texas judge grants woman’s abortion request despite state protections

The district judge in Austin on Thursday issued a temporary restraining order to prevent the state from enforcing its pro-life laws. Lawyers from The Center for Reproductive Rights sued the state in November on behalf of Kate Cox. The 31-year-old mother of two sought permission for an abortion after she said doctors diagnosed her unborn baby with trisomy 18. The chromosomal disorder causes growth delays during pregnancy and many babies who have the condition die before or within a month after birth, according to the National Library of Medicine. A few live longer—an Oklahoma woman with the condition celebrated her 40th birthday in 2020. A lawyer for Cox said she is at high risk for pregnancy complications and that the pregnancy is endangering her ability to carry children in the future.

What will happen next? The state is likely to appeal the court order after arguing that Cox does not meet the state law’s criteria for a medical exception. Texas protects unborn babies at all stages of pregnancy except in some rare situations. 

Dig deeper: Read Leah Savas’ report in Vitals about a case against state abortion law being considered by Texas Supreme Court justices.