Michigan Gov. Signs Abortion Ultrasound Law

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm signed legislation Friday that would give women considering an abortion the chance to see ultrasound imaging of the fetus.

Under the new law, doctors will be required to give the patient the opportunity to see a picture of the fetus before performing the abortion, but only if the patient gets an ultrasound or the doctor determines the imaging will be used during the operation.

According to statistics released by Option Ultrasound – a national ministry run by Focus on the Family that makes ultrasound machine and sonography training available to medical clinics, over 6,300 unborn children have been saved through their program. The organization also found that 84 percent of pregnancy resource center clients considering abortion decided to carry their babies to term after viewing an ultrasound image of the fetus.

"Women have been fed a lie by abortionists," said Kim Conroy, Sanctity of Human Life Director for the Focus on the Family. "Those who are considering an abortion need to know the emotional and physical toll this procedure could have on them -- and they deserve the chance to see their baby face to face before they make this life-changing decision."

The new Michigan law does not require clinics to do an ultrasound exam, but it does require doctors to show the imaging once the ultrasound is taken.

Until now, Michigan law required that women seeking abortions have a chance to review diagrams and descriptions showing a developing fetus, but not their own. The abortion ultrasound bill is House Bill 4446.