Chattanooga doctor sends pregnant patient to North Carolina for abortion
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The overturning of Roe versus Wade is already impacting patients in Chattanooga.
A report from the Wall Street Journal says one local doctor, Leilah Zahedi-Spung, made a critical choice for her patient.
She says she sent her on a six-hour ambulance ride to North Carolina to save her life.
Dr. Zahedi-Spung says she noticed high blood pressure and the baby was diagnosed with genetic abnormalities.
To protect the mother from having extreme seizures, and ultimately death, Dr. Zahedi-Spung said an emergency abortion was needed.
Dr. Zahedi-Spung tells the Wall Street Journal she didn't perform the abortion in Tennessee because she was afraid of the state's abortion ban.
READ MORE: "With Roe v. Wade overturned, how women's options have changed in Chattanooga."
Shannon Hardaway, an organizer for the Chattanooga Health Advocacy team, says the overturning of Roe v. Wade would ultimately lead to this, people leaving their home states for abortion.
THE PEOPLE THAT CREATED THESE LAWS EITHER AGAIN DO NOT RECOGNIZE OR UNDERSTAND THE DANGER THAT IT PUTS PEOPLE IN." Hardaway tells us.
But other's don't see it that way.
Charles Wysong is an anti-abortion activist, and says abortions will never be okay, regardless of the situation.
And using an emergency abortion should not be considered in a medical situation.
MEDICAL SCIENCE TODAY CAN TAKE CARE OF ALL GHE EMERGENCIES THAT ARE OUT HERE." Wysong says
Dr. Zahedi-Spung says she is planning on moving to Colorado, where abortion is legal.
This story will be updated.
