“Preventable” Death of Georgia Woman Sparks Backlash Against Abortion Restrictions
A Georgia woman, Amber Nicole Thurman, 28, died from delayed medical treatment following complications from a medication abortion, according to a report by ProPublica. Thurman’s death, was the first abortion-related fatality officially deemed “preventable” by a state committee.
Complications Ignored Amid Restrictive Law
Thurman, a medical assistant and mother of a six-year-old, faced complications after taking abortion pills, which led to sepsis. Despite her deteriorating condition, doctors at Piedmont Henry Hospital delayed performing a crucial dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure for 17 hours. By the time surgery was performed, her condition had worsened, requiring a hysterectomy. Thurman died during the operation.
The delay was attributed to Georgia’s restrictive abortion laws, which made it difficult for doctors to interpret when life-saving procedures could be legally performed without risking felony charges. The state’s six-week abortion ban forced Thurman to seek care out of state, missing her initial appointment due to traffic.
Reproductive Rights Groups Outraged
Reproductive rights groups have voiced outrage over the incident, blaming the state’s abortion laws for Thurman’s death. “Amber would be alive right now if it wasn’t for Donald Trump and Brian Kemp’s abortion ban,” said Mini Timmaraju, president of Reproductive Freedom for All.
The case has reignited debates over abortion restrictions in the U.S., with 22 states now imposing bans or limitations following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
ProPublica plans to release details on another abortion-related death deemed preventable. Thurman’s mother shared her daughter’s last words: “Promise me you’ll take care of my son.”
A Preventable Tragedy
The state committee concluded that an earlier D&C could have saved Thurman’s life, emphasizing the shortcomings of “life of the mother” exceptions in abortion laws, which have proven inadequate in emergencies. Feminist author Jessica Valenti summed up the outrage, saying,
“This is what abortion bans do.”
Join our Channel...