The near-total ban on abortion in Texas states that women cannot have an abortion as soon as fetal cardiac activity is detected, which can be as early as five weeks. This is before most women even know they’re pregnant. In addition, the extreme law gives zero exceptions for rape or incest. Doctors and other medical professionals who violate the state's abortion ban face up to 99 years in prison, creating a culture of fear that leaves healthcare pros hesitant to intervene.