Most people who’ve had kids know the routine (some of us know it several times over): At certain points during pregnancy, tests are administered at various intervals to determine the existence of any abnormalities or unusual conditions. Tests for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome, Patau’s syndrome, and spina bifida are typical. These blood and genetic tests are usually punctuated by recurrent ultrasounds in which the fetus’ development is analyzed by physicians for any physical problems or deformities, even missing body parts like a fully formed skull, or absent fingers, toes and limbs.
As explained by Sarah Zhang, writing for The Atlantic, the legality of abortion in this country—even if restricted in some states—has typically permitted those who are pregnant the right and option to terminate their pregnancy at its early stages based on such information, particularly information indicative of severe genetic issues. The fact that this is permitted only to a certain degree in several states is a reflection of the restrictions on terminating a pregnancy that already exist; however, if and when Roe is overruled and states are free to ban abortions in their entirety—a possible certainty for many states at this point—as Zhang observes, “Routine parts of prenatal care could start to look quite different in states that ban abortion than in states that allow it.” The implications of such changes will be profound and rather disturbing.