Kyleigh Thurman, from outside Austin, had no inkling that she was pregnant until around five weeks when her OB-GYN prompted her to take a pregnancy test over the phone following troubling symptoms in February 2023. Kyleigh’s doctor urged her to go to the emergency room as she suspected an ectopic pregnancy. Despite all the telltale signs, the hospital did not officially diagnose an ectopic pregnancy, sending Kyleigh home with miscarriage management paperwork. Over the course of a week, Kyleigh’s symptoms intensified, prompting her OB-GYN to recommend methotrexate, the most common drug prescribed to end ectopic pregnancies. Upon Kyleigh’s return to the hospital to obtain the medication, doctors confirmed the presence of an embryo in her right fallopian tube, but noted they could not “confirm nor deny” the presence of an ectopic pregnancy, sending her home yet again without treatment. Furious by the lack of intervention, Kyleigh’s OB-GYN urged her to return to the emergency room, but given the hourlong drive each way, Kyleigh could not take more time off from work and instead chose to monitor her blood from home. After two days, her doctor insisted she return to the ER, but upon doing so, was denied methotrexate once more – this time Kyleigh’s OB-GYN intervened, convincing the ER doctor to finally administer the drug despite legal fears due to Texas reproductive health laws. Psychologically, Kyleigh struggled as she did not want to lose her pregnancy, but knew she needed such treatment to protect her own life. Sadly, due to the delay in initial intervention, the ectopic pregnancy ruptured a week later, putting Kyleigh’s life at risk. Rushed to the emergency room with extensive bleeding, Kyleigh endured surgery to remove her fallopian tube and began a difficult physical, mental, and emotional recovery.
In August 2024, the Center for Reproductive Rights filed lawsuits against two Texas hospitals on behalf of Kyleigh Thurman and Kelsie Norris-De La Cruz for denying them ectopic pregnancy care that endangered their lives, permanently damaged their reproductive organs, and jeopardized their future fertility.