Tragic Death of Amber Thurman Highlights Impact of Georgia’s Abortion Ban
Amber Thurman, a 28-year-old single mother and medical assistant from Atlanta, passed away on August 20, 2022, after suffering from a sepsis infection caused by an incomplete abortion. Despite arriving at a hospital in critical condition, doctors delayed performing a life-saving D&C procedure for 20 hours. By the time she was taken to the operating room, it was too late to save her.
Just weeks before Amber’s death, Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp had signed the state’s new “Heartbeat” abortion ban into law. The law prohibits abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, typically around six weeks, with exceptions only for rape, incest, or when the mother’s life is at risk. Violations of this law could result in up to 10 years in prison for medical providers, along with the revocation of their medical licenses.
Amber’s case became a significant test of the new law’s requirements. She arrived at the hospital after vomiting blood and losing consciousness, but the hospital staff hesitated to perform the previously routine D&C procedure. They questioned whether her condition met the law’s criteria for permitting an abortion. Despite her white blood count and blood pressure reaching dangerous levels, and even after antibiotics failed to control her acute sepsis infection, the doctors delayed the procedure. By the time they decided it was legally permissible, Amber had already died on the operating table.
Amber Thurman is considered the first known American woman to die as a result of an abortion ban enacted after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022. Her death was deemed “preventable” by a Georgia state committee that investigates maternal deaths. This committee took two years to examine the circumstances of her death, which revealed that Amber had driven to a North Carolina clinic for an abortion. The abortion medication she took failed to expel all the fetal contents from her uterus, leading to the fatal infection.
Medication abortion pills have been associated with 32 deaths out of nearly 6 million users from 2000 to 2022, and they are generally considered safer than Viagra. However, Amber’s tragic experience underscores the importance of timely medical intervention, which was delayed due to legal uncertainties.
Dr. Didi St Louis, an Atlanta OBGYN, confirmed that medical practitioners in Georgia are operating “under an element of fear” due to the new abortion ban. She explained that the law has created confusion and uncertainty, leading to delays in providing critical care. Doctors now often need to consult with hospital leadership, risk managers, and lawyers before proceeding with treatments that were once routine.
The impact of the abortion ban extends beyond Amber’s case. Women in Georgia and other states with similar bans face significant risks. Many have had to travel to other states for abortions or have experienced severe complications when timely medical care was not provided. In one case, Atlanta resident Candi Miller, who suffered from lupus, diabetes, and hypertension, died after attempting to self-manage an abortion due to fear of legal repercussions.
Senator JD Vance recently praised the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade as a “victory,” stating that the Republican party is proud to be “pro-life” and “pro-family.” However, the real-life implications of these abortion bans have resulted in tragic outcomes for families like Amber Thurman’s and Candi Miller’s.
As the nation grapples with the consequences of these restrictive laws, the question remains: How many more women’s lives will be at risk? Donald Trump, who has taken credit for the overturning of Roe v. Wade, continues to push for a national abortion ban, raising concerns about the future of reproductive rights in America.
—
Read More Kitchen Table News
