Most of the conversations surrounding abortion assume that women seek the medical procedure only when their pregnancies are unplanned. Leena Pendharkar’s new film, “20 Weeks,” focuses on another reproductive rights narrative: one that is too often ignored by the media and lawmakers alike.

“20 Weeks” centers on Maya (Anna Margaret Hollyman) and Ronan (Amir Arison), a happy couple expecting their first baby. As the film’s trailer shows, they’re excited at Maya’s 20-week ultrasound. That is until their doctor notices something during the scan. “I’m sorry to have to tell you guys this,” the physician says. We don’t know what she tells Maya and Ronan, but it is clearly bad news.

Maya and Ronan realize that they will have to make a difficult decision. There’s an issue with the baby — something that will threaten its quality of life once it’s born. The couple clearly want and love the baby — but should Maya carry the pregnancy to term? Or should she get an abortion?

“I don’t want to watch our kid suffer,” Ronan admits. “Can we promise each other that if it’s something serious we’ll do what is right?”

Pendharkar, who also penned the script, told Women and Hollywood that “20 Weeks” is based on her own experience. “This happened to me and my husband. At our 20-week scan, our daughter was diagnosed with a serious health complication,” she said. “I think pregnancy and child birth are so complicated for women and men in this modern age, and I wanted to tell a story that could reach people and even start a conversation. This seems to be even more relevant under the current administration where women’s rights are being trampled on every day,” she observed.

Pendharkar made her feature directorial debut in 2010 with “Raspberry Magic.” Next she’ll write and direct an adaptation of Ursula K. Le Guin’s “The Telling.” The sci-fi novel is about a woman who travels to another planet and discovers a long-hidden culture and religion.

“20 Weeks” hits select theaters and VOD April 13.