Oklahoma law that prohibits a woman from getting her fetus aborted without an ultrasound has been challenged. According to the law, any woman who wants an abortion must get a description of the fetus by her doctor after an ultrasound. The law suit, filed in Oklahoma County District Court states the practice is an intrusion on the privacy of the mother. It further describes it as a danger to the health and dignity of the mother.
 
The law will be effective from Nov. Oklahoma would be the fourth state in the nation, after Albama, Louisiana and Missisippi which require an ultrasound to be performed before a woman can have an abortion. The law also states that the ultrasounds be made available to the patient for viewing.

The state Senator, Todd Lamb said that ultrasound provides information to the mother about her baby and might influence her to change her mind. Moreover the mother is not compelled to see the ultrasound. The law says that mothers can avert their eyes during the procedure.

Gov. Brad Henry vetoed the anti-abortion legislation in April because it didn't exempt victims of rape or incest from the ultrasound requirement.

Republican state Sen. Todd Lamb remarked that supporters of the law feel that it will curtail abortions in the state.

"I introduced the bill because I wanted to encourage life in society. In Oklahoma, society is on the side of life," Lamb said.

"This bill provides more information to a mother," he said.

Nova Health Systems, doing business as Reproductive Services in Tulsa filed the lawsuit.

The law would encourage women to opt for an abortion for a baby born with defects.

"Anti-choice activists will stop at nothing to prevent a woman from getting an abortion, but trying to manipulate a woman's decisions about her own life and health goes beyond the pale," said Stephanie Toti, staff attorney in the U.S. Legal Program of the Center for Reproductive Rights and lead attorney on the case.