When Is a 'Fetal Heartbeat' Detected? Doctors Say Not at Six Weeks Despite Texas Ban

When Is a 'Fetal Heartbeat' Detected? Doctors Say Not at Six Weeks Despite Texas Ban

3 years ago
Anonymous $drS9DEX_Sj

http://www.newsweek.com/when-fetal-heartbeat-detected-doctors-say-not-six-weeks-despite-texas-ban-1625821

On Wednesday, Texas introduced a law banning abortions after the sixth week of pregnancy, when the so-called "fetal heartbeat" is detected. Senate Bill (SB) 8 states that any citizen can sue an abortion provider if they terminate a pregnancy after six weeks, as well as anyone who assists the woman in getting the abortion.

The justification for selecting six weeks as a limitation is that this is supposedly the point at which the first fetal heartbeat can be detected. Yet, the idea is contested by many doctors and organizations such as Planned Parenthood.