The language we use to describe pregnancy and the developing embryo or fetus is important. Unfortunately, language has become part of the fight over access to abortion. Media outlets have put out guidance for their journalists on how to use certain terms when reporting on abortion, noting that language can be manipulated for political gain and not medical accuracy (11, 12). The language we're exposed to may impact our attitudes toward abortion. In one study, Polish college students took a survey on fetal development. About half of the group was randomly assigned questions that used the term "fetus" and the other half answered questions that used the term "child". The group that was exposed to questions that used the word “child” to describe a fetus was less likely to support abortion when polled at the end of the study (10).Several so-called “fetal heartbeat” bills were introduced on the state level in the US in 2019 (13). While none of these laws are in effect as of May 1, 2021 (14), this legislation aimed to ban abortion once embryonic cardiac activity can be detected (which is seen earliest on an ultrasound around 6 weeks of pregnancy) (2). Many people may not know they are pregnant this early in the pregnancy and their options are limited by such legislation
