On Wednesday, September 1, Texas became the first state to institute the Heartbeat Act, a legislation banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, or more specifically, after the detection of a heartbeat. Additionally, the Supreme Court has refrained from ruling on the requests sent by abortionists to block the new policy.

The heartbeat act was actually signed into law in May but was only put into effect on September 1. The law only included exceptions from the detection of a heartbeat if there is a medical emergency. Surprisingly, the law is only enforced through private lawsuits and not by the federal government.

After the act was officially passed, many positive and negative reactions ensued. The local Planned Parenthood locations across the state of Texas have put out statements announcing they will not be performing abortions of babies past the six week stage.

Various pro-life groups have since come out and proclaimed their availability for helping and assisting mothers with unexpected pregnancies.

“Organizations like mine will not rest because we are actively helping women facing unexpected pregnancies,” Texas legislative director for the group Human Coalition Action, Chelsey Youman said.

Human Coalition operates a nationwide network of womens care centers, providing both in-person and remote health care. The organization strives to help mothers who are reluctant to raise children because of their financial status. They, with the help of many donors, provide financial help to these mothers.

“NIFLA’s network of more than 1,600 pregnancy centers and medical clinics stands ready to help mothers and babies in a post-Roe America. We are here to empower the choice of life,” the president of the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates Thomas Glessner said.

The National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) hope to assist and protect life-affirming pregnancy centers that empower abortion-vulnerable women and families to choose life for their unborn children. They hope to do this through providing legal counsel, education and training.

However, while there have been numerous organizations supporting the law, there have also been many who have criticized the strictness surrounding it.

“Access to almost all abortion has just been cut off for millions of people. The impact will be immediate and devastating,” the Twitter account for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) tweeted on Wednesday.

Abortion providers, upset by the restrictiveness of the law, have challenged the law in court as well as sending an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States. Fortunately, the Supreme Court did not act on the petition, which asked for an immediate halt to prevent the law from going into effect on September 1.