A couple will be forced to give birth to a baby that wil immediately die due to strict new abortion bans being introduced across the US.
Deborah Dorbert's happiness at the news she was expecting a second child turned sour when the unborn baby was diagnosed with a fatal fetal abnormality known as Potter syndrome.
For the child is a “doubly lethal diagnosis” because its malfunctioning kidneys can’t remove deadly toxins and the absence of amniotic fluid in the mum's womb causes the baby to be born unable to breath.
But with Florida's strict new rules around abortion that came in after the supreme court overturned Roe v Wade, Deborah will have to carry the baby to term in just a few weeks, only for it to die shortly afterwards.
The state's new laws bans abortion after 15 weeks except under certain circumstances.
Ms Dorbert and her husband Lee have been unable to find a doctor willing to perform an abortion as the new law punishes practioners including taking their license, large fines and even jail time.
According to Florida’s Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality law, which came in July 2022, abortions are banned after 15 weeks of gestation.
There are a few exceptions, including one that would allow for a later abortion “if two physicians certify in writing that the fetus has a fatal fetal abnormality and has not reached viability”.
After consulting with the hospitals legal team, the couple was told that they would have to wait to terminate the pregnancy until week 37 of gestation, which is near full term.
According to a text message sent to Ms Dorbert doctors made the call after having legal administrators “look at the new law and the way it’s written”, the Washington Post reported.
“It’s horribly written,” the message added.
The Doberts couldn't take advantage of other state's lax rules becaue of the travel costs.
Unable to abort the baby on their terms, the couple decided to provide palliative care to the baby after they are born.
Mr Dorbert told the Washington Post: “That’s been very important to us, understanding that we do have that control back at least in some of these decisions."
“We have never really understood,” he added, “We were told there was an exception … Obviously, [it’s] not enough of an exception in some cases.”
Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis, who is expected to make a bid for the White House in 2024, has maintained a staunchly anti-abortion stance.
Earlier this month he pledge to sign a six-week abortion ban if one passed.
He said: “We’re for pro-life.
“I urge the legislature to work, produce good stuff, and we will sign. That’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”
