Aiexpress – A woman who is suing Texas after claiming she nearly died because doctors delayed offering her a medically necessary abortion tells NBC News exclusively that she intends to relocate her frozen embryos out of the state for fear that Texas would cease providing in vitro fertilization.
Amanda Zurawski and her husband, Josh, have made the decision to take action in response to recent developments. It has come to light that several fertility clinics in Alabama have temporarily halted in vitro fertilization treatments due to a significant ruling by the state Supreme Court. This ruling established that embryos hold the same legal protections as children and that individuals can be held accountable for any destruction caused to them.
On Thursday, Zurawski, 36, revealed that she and her husband have made the decision to relocate their embryos out of the state. The couple is concerned that Texas may adopt a similar stance to Alabama in preventing them from fulfilling their dream of starting a family, a dream they have been tirelessly pursuing for years.
“I don’t want my embryos to be in a situation where a similar ruling could potentially occur,” she expressed her concerns. “The entire process of IVF is already filled with anxiety and fear. It’s a daunting and challenging experience, and rulings like the one in Alabama only intensify these emotions.”
“I feel immense sadness for all the aspiring parents in Alabama and beyond, as this issue extends far beyond the borders of our state. The repercussions of this decision will likely have a widespread and growing impact,” she expressed with a heavy heart.
Zurawski and her husband have chosen to undergo in vitro fertilization as a means to have a baby, following advice from doctors who cautioned against carrying a baby again. They have already undergone three egg retrievals and now have two frozen embryos in their possession.
However, she expressed her concerns about how Texas laws might once again affect her journey.
“It’s absolutely terrifying,” expressed Zurawski, reflecting on the challenging experience. “But what infuriates me even more is that the very individuals who advocated for the bans that almost cost me my life are now the ones making it increasingly difficult for people like me to start a family.”
After the Alabama Supreme Court ruling, Zurawski immediately began searching for clinics outside of Texas that would be open to accepting her embryos. She also explored options for companies that could facilitate the transportation of the embryos. She mentioned that this process incurs significant expenses, amounting to thousands of dollars.
“I can’t help but think about the people in Alabama who might be contemplating doing the same thing, but unfortunately, it’s not a viable option for everyone,” she expressed. “IVF is already quite costly, and now, with the added burden of potentially having to transport embryos, it becomes even more financially challenging. Moreover, there are additional logistical hurdles and uncertainties involved in this process.”
Zurawski did not disclose the destination where she will be relocating her embryos.
“It’s a decision made to ensure our safety,” she explained, referring to her choice not to disclose the destination of the embryos. “Our primary concern is protecting our precious embryos and safeguarding all parties involved in our family planning.”
Elisabeth Smith, the director of state policy at the Center for Reproductive Rights, expressed deep concern over the recent ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court. She stated that the decision is “extremely alarming.”
“It’s eroding people’s autonomy to make choices regarding their own family planning through IVF,” Smith expressed. “This is just one example of the disorder we predicted would follow the overturning of Roe v. Wade. With politicians taking the lead instead of medical professionals, the state of reproductive healthcare is currently in a state of crisis.”
According to an NBC News count, more than a dozen states have banned or imposed severe restrictions on abortion since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.
