The National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA), a prominent crisis pregnancy center support organization in the U.S., has advised its member clinics to refrain from performing ultrasounds on women suspected of having ectopic pregnancies due to significant medical and legal risks associated with the condition. This guidance follows a lawsuit against a Massachusetts crisis pregnancy center, where a misdiagnosed ectopic pregnancy resulted in a life-threatening emergency for the client. The plaintiff claimed that her fallopian tube ruptured after an inadequate ultrasound, necessitating emergency surgery.
NIFLA representatives emphasized that centers should not advertise their ability to rule out ectopic pregnancies, as definitive diagnoses require blood tests (HCG levels) which many centers do not provide. NIFLA’s legal counsel recommended that clinics refer such patients to emergency care instead. Concerns were raised regarding the misleading portrayal of crisis pregnancy centers as comprehensive reproductive health clinics, while they often lack essential services and prioritize dissuading women from abortions.
Despite the potential dangers, many centers promote free ultrasounds to attract women, often discussing ectopic pregnancies in their marketing materials. Experts argue this can exploit fears and misinform patients. NIFLA’s past directions and ongoing legal strategies aim to protect centers from liability in cases involving ectopic pregnancies.
Furthermore, discussions during a recent summit addressed privacy concerns, as many centers claim HIPAA compliance despite often being unregulated. Legislative pushes to enforce stricter licensure for ultrasound operators are met with resistance from NIFLA, highlighting ongoing tensions between medical safety and the operational methods of crisis pregnancy centers.
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