South Carolina’s Supreme Court unanimously upheld a law banning most abortions after fetal heartbeat detection, dealing a significant blow to Planned Parenthood’s attempt to extend the abortion cutoff period.

At a Glance

• South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously upheld a law banning most abortions after fetal heartbeat detection, typically at six weeks
• Planned Parenthood’s challenge sought to extend the abortion cutoff to nine weeks, claiming scientific accuracy
• The court rejected arguments about the law’s vagueness, noting Planned Parenthood previously acknowledged it clearly prohibits abortion at six weeks
• The law includes exceptions for rape, incest, fatal fetal anomalies, and threats to maternal health
• State data shows the law has reduced abortions in South Carolina by nearly 80%

Court Rejects Planned Parenthood’s Challenge

In a decisive 5-0 ruling, the South Carolina Supreme Court upheld the state’s “fetal heartbeat” abortion ban, which prohibits most abortions after cardiac activity is detected, usually around six weeks of pregnancy. Planned Parenthood had challenged the law, arguing it should be enforced at nine weeks instead of six, citing concerns about the terminology used in the legislation. Their attorneys claimed the term “fetal” created confusion since an embryo technically becomes a fetus around the tenth week of pregnancy.

The court, however, was unconvinced by this argument. In their opinion, the justices noted that Planned Parenthood had not previously raised concerns about the law’s vagueness and had actually acknowledged in earlier proceedings that the law clearly prohibits abortion at approximately six weeks.

The ruling represents a significant victory for pro-life advocates in South Carolina, as the law has already dramatically reduced abortion rates in the state. According to state data, abortions have decreased by nearly 80% since the law’s implementation in 2023.

South Carolina’s Top Court heard Planned Parenthood’s challenge to the fetal heartbeat law on Wednesday, which makes it illegal for a woman to have an abortion after the fetal heartbeat is heard.https://t.co/f774KuaXXs

— WJBF (@WJBF) February 12, 2025

Legal Precision and Enforcement

The court’s ruling carefully defined what constitutes a “fetal heartbeat” under the law. Justice John Cannon Few, writing for the majority, stated that the term refers to “a biologically identifiable moment in time” that can be objectively determined by a medical professional through the detection of electrical impulses using diagnostic technology such as a transvaginal ultrasound. This cardiac activity marks the point beyond which most abortions are prohibited.

“While Planned Parenthood now argues its doctors are unclear as to which point in time abortion is prohibited, it has previously stated the language from both the 2021 Act and the 2023 Act clearly prohibits abortion at approximately six weeks. Thus, it seems unlikely that abortion providers at Planned Parenthood have been left to ‘guess as to its meaning,'” wrote Justices Kitteridge, Few, James and Verdin in their opinion.

The law does include several exceptions, allowing abortions in cases of rape or incest up to 12 weeks, for fatal fetal anomalies, and when necessary to protect the mother’s life or health. These exceptions were designed to address concerns about the strict nature of the ban while maintaining its primary purpose of protecting unborn life from an early stage of development.

SC Supreme Court to hear arguments as Planned Parenthood challenges six-week abortion lawhttps://t.co/fHpis6rdZ8

— WPDE ABC15 (@wpdeabc15) February 12, 2025

Political Reactions and Broader Impact

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster celebrated the court’s decision as a victory for pro-life policies in the state. “Time and time again, we have defended the right to life in South Carolina, and time and time again, we have prevailed. Today’s ruling is another clear and decisive victory that will ensure the lives of countless unborn children remain protected and that South Carolina continues to lead the charge in defending the sanctity of life,” said Governor McMaster.

South Carolina now joins twelve other states with similar abortion restrictions in place. The decision comes as the state considers even stronger pro-life legislation, including potential measures to classify abortion as homicide and efforts to exclude abortion providers from the state’s Medicaid program. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood and other abortion advocates have vowed to continue fighting these restrictions through various means, including interstate abortion pill distribution and seeking legal protections in more abortion-friendly states.