Crisis pregnancy centers across the nation are revising ultrasound procedures following a Massachusetts settlement over a misdiagnosed ectopic pregnancy that nearly cost a woman her life.
At a Glance
- A Massachusetts crisis pregnancy center settled a lawsuit after failing to diagnose a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy
- The National Institute of Family and Life Advocates now advises centers against attempting to rule out ectopic pregnancies via ultrasound
- Massachusetts passed legislation requiring licensed medical professionals to supervise pregnancy ultrasound services
- Advocates are pushing for similar regulations in other states to protect patients
- Crisis pregnancy centers often operate without full medical oversight despite marketing themselves as healthcare providers
Lawsuit Prompts Policy Changes
The Clearway Clinic in Massachusetts became the center of a legal battle after a patient alleged the facility failed to diagnose her ectopic pregnancy, which later ruptured and required emergency surgery. The lawsuit claimed the nurse who performed the ultrasound lacked proper qualifications to detect the dangerous condition, where a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. Filed as a class action to allow other potential plaintiffs to join, the case concluded with a settlement after a Massachusetts court ruled against the clinic’s motion to dismiss.
The settlement has triggered a reassessment of procedures at similar facilities nationwide. The National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA), which provides legal counsel to crisis pregnancy centers, has issued new guidance warning centers about the medical and legal risks associated with ectopic pregnancy diagnosis attempts.
New Guidelines and Medical Concerns
NIFLA representatives have explicitly advised centers against claiming they can rule out ectopic pregnancies through ultrasounds alone. At a recent conference, a NIFLA representative emphasized, “I do not want to see on any website or advertising, ‘Come to us and we’ll rule out an ectopic.'” The organization now stresses that diagnosing or excluding ectopic pregnancies requires specific blood tests and medical expertise beyond basic ultrasound capabilities.
Medical experts have long raised concerns about the practices at crisis pregnancy centers. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, ectopic pregnancies affect approximately 2% of pregnancies and can be fatal if not properly diagnosed and treated. When an ectopic pregnancy ruptures, it causes internal bleeding that can lead to death without immediate medical intervention.
Legislative Response
The case has prompted legislative action in Massachusetts, where lawmakers passed a bill requiring licensed medical professionals to supervise pregnancy ultrasound services. The state also allocated $1 million for a public education campaign to inform residents about potentially deceptive practices at anti-abortion centers. Similar legislative efforts are underway in other states, including Indiana, where a bill was introduced after another missed ectopic pregnancy diagnosis.
Indiana State Representative Maureen Bauer explained her motivation for introducing legislation: “That is why I filed HB 1094 to require licensure for anyone operating a sonogram machine in Indiana, to ensure we do not have any more tragic stories like the young IUSB student who lost her child, and her ability to have children in the future due to a required hysterectomy, because the individual who provided her with a sonogram at a crisis pregnancy center did not identify her ectopic pregnancy.”
Medical Oversight and Patient Protection
A central concern raised by health advocates is that crisis pregnancy centers often market themselves as comprehensive healthcare providers despite not offering full-spectrum reproductive care. Many operate without the same regulatory oversight as traditional medical facilities. A particular worry is that these centers are typically not covered by HIPAA privacy protections, though some try to suggest otherwise in their marketing.
As these centers adjust their protocols in response to legal challenges, women’s health advocates continue to push for greater transparency and appropriate medical standards in all facilities offering pregnancy-related services. For older adults concerned about healthcare quality, these developments highlight the importance of seeking care from properly licensed medical professionals, especially in potentially life-threatening situations.
