Nevaeh Crain, an 18-year-old pregnant woman, died in 2023 after being turned away from two hospitals due to complications in her pregnancy. Crain had shown symptoms of sepsis but had been sent home twice from separate emergency rooms. Her death has highlighted the fear and confusion among doctors in states with strict abortion laws who are unsure of how to treat pregnant patients with serious complications. The Texas abortion law threatens prison time for interventions that end a fetal heartbeat and abortion, even in cases of a life-threatening pregnancy. A report by ProPublica found that delays in treating Crain and at least one other pregnant woman who has died in Texas are a consequence of changing practices amid legal threats to doctors.
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As I read the headline about Trump declaring himself the ‘father of IVF’ at a town hall with an all-female audience, I couldn’t help but shake my head in disbelief. The audacity and arrogance of this man know no bounds. Claiming to be the pioneer of in vitro fertilization is not only false but also deeply disrespectful to the actual scientists and researchers who have worked tirelessly in the field for decades. It’s another delusional statement from a man who seems to live in a reality of his own creation.
It’s alarming how his supporters continue to overlook his narcissistic tendencies and blatant lies.… Continue reading
The issue of 200+ women facing criminal charges over pregnancy in the year after Dobbs is alarming and deeply disturbing. The fact that women who have experienced miscarriages are being accused of child abuse and locked up is beyond comprehension. Miscarriages are unfortunately common, and the idea that someone could weaponize such a devastating experience to incarcerate women is cruel and heartless.
One particular case in Oklahoma where a woman was charged with felony child neglect after her baby tested positive for marijuana at birth stands out. Despite having a doctor-approved state license to use medical marijuana during her pregnancy, prosecutors pursued the case using fetal personhood language.… Continue reading
As a woman living in the United States, recent news about the Supreme Court letting stand a decision barring emergency abortions that violate Texas state law is deeply troubling. The idea that hospitals in Texas can refuse to provide life-saving care to pregnant individuals in emergency situations goes against all notions of basic human rights and medical ethics. The fact that this decision came after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 adds another layer of devastation to an already dire situation.
The Biden administration rightfully argued that hospitals should have to perform abortions in emergency situations under federal law.… Continue reading
As I sit here with a heavy heart and a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, the news of 26,000 raped women in Texas being forced to give birth since Dobbs weighs heavily on my mind. It’s a staggering number that highlights a deeper issue within our society. The fact that so many women have had to endure such a traumatic experience is beyond comprehension. The pain, the trauma, the fear that these women must have faced is unimaginable.
The statistics speak volumes about the prevalence of rape and sexual violence in our society. It is a harsh reality that only a small percentage of rapists are prosecuted, let alone spend time behind bars.… Continue reading
I can’t believe the audacity of individuals who believe it is acceptable to invade a woman’s privacy to the extent of tracking their menstrual cycles. The thought of ‘states that want to set up full menstrual surveillance departments’ is not only disturbing but also a blatant violation of women’s rights. The insidious nature of this proposal speaks volumes about the individuals who support such intrusive measures.
The idea of branding it as “Period Patriots” or “Freedom Flow Watchers” is not only absurd but also incredibly demeaning. It reduces women to mere vessels whose reproductive cycles should be scrutinized and monitored by the state.… Continue reading
It is both shocking and disturbing to hear that Russia is proposing a ban on the child-free lifestyle. The idea that the government would enforce such a mandate, essentially dictating how individuals should live their lives and make personal choices, is deeply concerning. Send marriageable men off to war, lose hundreds of thousands of young lives, and then turn to the women left behind with a demand to procreate for the nation’s sake – it is a chilling echo of history that should not be ignored.
Putin’s push for increased birth rates through this proposed ban is not only intrusive but also repressive.… Continue reading
In 2024 America, the unthinkable has become a terrifying reality. The Trump camp, self-proclaimed protectors of women, have shown their true colors by supporting state menstrual surveillance programs. Imagine living in a country where your daughter’s period is tracked by the government, all while gun violence runs rampant in schools. The hypocrisy is astounding, yet somehow this race remains close. How is this even a possibility?
It’s mind-boggling to me that there are individuals like J.D. Vance pushing for menstrual surveillance laws under the guise of protecting life. This invasive approach to monitoring women’s health decisions is a clear violation of privacy and personal autonomy.… Continue reading
As a woman in today’s society, it is disheartening to see the blatant disregard for women’s health and autonomy displayed by certain individuals, especially those associated with the MAGA movement. Calling birth control ‘poison’ and using derogatory terms like ‘females’ instead of women is not only disrespectful but also showcases a deep-rooted misogyny that continues to plague our society.
The idea that birth control, a medication that has been safely used for decades to help women regulate their periods, manage hormonal imbalances, and prevent unwanted pregnancies, is suddenly being labeled as poison is nothing short of absurd. As someone who has personally benefitted from the positive effects of birth control, I can attest to its importance in not only improving my health but also empowering me to make decisions about my own body.… Continue reading
As I sit here reflecting on the devastating statistics regarding the rise in pregnancy deaths by 56% in Texas following the 2021 abortion ban, I am filled with a sense of profound sadness and disbelief. As an ER physician, I have witnessed firsthand the heartbreaking consequences of policies that limit access to essential healthcare services. This should not be happening in a country that prides itself on its resources and advancements in healthcare. It is a national embarrassment that we have allowed our maternal mortality rates to reach such abysmal levels, and this latest increase only serves to highlight the urgent need for change.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood