Latest Texas law requires sonograms before abortion

Austin - Republican Governor of Texas, Rick Perry signed a law Thursday that requires women seeking an abortion to have a sonogram 24 hours before the procedure.

Several U.S. states including Texas have strong Republican views and are aiming to put more restrictions on abortion this year. Katherine Cesinger, a spokesperson for Perry said, "Governor Perry was pleased to sign this important legislation, which bolsters our efforts to protect life by ensuring Texans are fully informed when considering such an important decision." This new abortion law will take effect in Texas starting September 1. Under the law all women, excluding those with pregnancies resulting from incest, sexual assault, or other violations of law, will have to wait 24 hours after having a sonogram to go on with the procedure. The law states that the doctor is to give, “in a manner understandable to a layperson, a verbal explanation of the results of the sonogram images, including a medical description of the dimensions of the embryo or fetus, the presence of cardiac activity, and the presence of external members and internal organs,” during the sonogram, which is an image produced of the embryo or fetus using high-frequency sound waves. Those opposing the new requirement say the law is unnecessary, interferes with the doctor-patient relationship, and traumatizes the women going through an already stressful situation. "What no one is focusing on is that this is a mandate to humiliate women who want an abortion," stated Yvonne Gutierrez, vice president for public affairs at the Planned Parenthood Trust of South Texas.