Okla. Law Requiring Ultrasound Before Abortion is Challenged

A suit has been filed challenging an Oklahoma law that bars physicians from performing abortions unless they first conduct an ultrasound and describe the fetus.

Oklahoma is the fourth state mandating ultrasounds but the only state requiring the doctor to turn the ultrasound screen toward the patient and to describe the fetus, including the dimensions, the Associated Press reports. The law also bars damage claims for physicians’ failure to discover and warn pregnant women when their babies will be born with birth defects.

The suit filed Thursday in Oklahoma County court seeks to overturn the law based on a constitutional right to privacy, and asks for an injunction barring the statute from taking effect on Nov. 1, the Tulsa World reports. The action was filed on behalf of an abortion provider by the Center for Reproductive Rights.