This is probably the most powerful post that you have written! I have been a practicing pediatrician for 41 years and I am certain that your words and your data are true. Thank you for your bravery.
I agree about this being the most powerful post yet. I knew there was an issue with maternal mortality before this post, having read about Serena Williams' near death experience. We Americans think that we have access to the best health care in the world...statistics prove that ain't so, especially for non-Hispanic black women. It is unconscionable! How can so many people ignore this state of affairs?
I am distraught. This is all so wrong. We are so backwards, so untethered to reality of women's lives nor to children's lives! Oh, it only we could all share the belief system of the scientific inquiry and social equality. Women hold up half the sky....and it will, indeed fall, if we don't do better.
I agree John - we in Australia still have barriers to access to safe abortion, but the legal ones only exist for late term abortions - which do require independent medical confirmation of need. What really galls me about this particular case is Paxton saying the Judge hasn’t sufficient medical expertise to reach the decision made - but by his actions says that he does! If the standard of good medical care in this case is prevented by legalistic intervention, and ANY negative consequences ensue, PAXTON must be the one to face those consequences, not Katie’s care team - they sought confirmation that this situation actually matched the very poorly written Texas statute! And in the very same day, in another Texas Courthouse, appellant lawyers were being reassured that cases in which the current of future health of the woman were at significant risk, an application would be approved!!!!!!
Gobsmacked!
High time for some angry people, not just women, to take up this fight. So sorry for your experience Katelyn - at least you didn’t have to fight for your right to be safe!
Every person in the US who knows and loves a girl or woman in this country should be furious about the way we are treating women who live in Republican-controlled states. We need to protect women with new, federal human rights laws.
You are amazing in sharing your story and heartbreak to shine a light on how inhumane these men are in trying to control women's bodies. I'm so sorry for your loss and grateful for all you do.
It's not only men, of course. Asking how women end up doing the same, Abigail Thorn observes that some women enjoy criticizing other women, and that can be a "uniting" force.
This video is lengthy (about an hour) but very, very interesting in that she explains – using copious literary sources – how so-called "family values" ideologies have been, throughout history, and still are highly effective tools to institute and maintain paternal primacy and to keep women in subjugation:
Very true, I had an 18 year old that was pregnant saying she’s choosing to keep her child that I should teach my young teens daughters about birth control instead of “killing babies”. The irony wasn’t lost since I managed not to get pregnant until I was in my 30s but needed an abortion on a planned pregnancy. I am fully pro choice. Pregnancy made me pro choice. Nearly bleeding out and suffering pregnancy complications made me pro choice.
I cannot bring myself to click the "like" button on this post. I respect and support the content provided in the post, but I don't like it. I deeply regret that you, Kate, and so many other women have to live through horrible pregnancies such as you and they have and must endure. I have three hopes for the future: (a) women will be trusted with the authority to make their own informed decisions about their child-bearing, (b) women who have experienced horrific pregnancies will reach peace for the rest of their lives, and (c) my countrymen (I use the gendered noun intentionally) will join me in hoping for (a) and (b).
If you (who are reading the comments) want to donate to a charity addressing this very issue, I have supported Every Mother Counts in the past. https://everymothercounts.org/ They work in several developing nations and in the US, with a focus on equity.
Thank you for writing this post. While I did not ever have to make those same choices, I'm glad that you had a choice to do so and I hope we can eventually get back to that for ALL women in the US.
Thank you for your bravery in sharing both your personal story, and the public health data (which on its own may incur some wrath). It’s so important.
This is probably the most powerful post that you have written! I have been a practicing pediatrician for 41 years and I am certain that your words and your data are true. Thank you for your bravery.
I agree about this being the most powerful post yet. I knew there was an issue with maternal mortality before this post, having read about Serena Williams' near death experience. We Americans think that we have access to the best health care in the world...statistics prove that ain't so, especially for non-Hispanic black women. It is unconscionable! How can so many people ignore this state of affairs?
I am distraught. This is all so wrong. We are so backwards, so untethered to reality of women's lives nor to children's lives! Oh, it only we could all share the belief system of the scientific inquiry and social equality. Women hold up half the sky....and it will, indeed fall, if we don't do better.
As a Canadian health care provider... this blows my mind!!! I simply cannot comprehend.
I agree John - we in Australia still have barriers to access to safe abortion, but the legal ones only exist for late term abortions - which do require independent medical confirmation of need. What really galls me about this particular case is Paxton saying the Judge hasn’t sufficient medical expertise to reach the decision made - but by his actions says that he does! If the standard of good medical care in this case is prevented by legalistic intervention, and ANY negative consequences ensue, PAXTON must be the one to face those consequences, not Katie’s care team - they sought confirmation that this situation actually matched the very poorly written Texas statute! And in the very same day, in another Texas Courthouse, appellant lawyers were being reassured that cases in which the current of future health of the woman were at significant risk, an application would be approved!!!!!!
Gobsmacked!
High time for some angry people, not just women, to take up this fight. So sorry for your experience Katelyn - at least you didn’t have to fight for your right to be safe!
You and me, both!
Every person in the US who knows and loves a girl or woman in this country should be furious about the way we are treating women who live in Republican-controlled states. We need to protect women with new, federal human rights laws.
Abortion is more complex than lawmakers acknowledge! Thanks for your personal input.
You are amazing in sharing your story and heartbreak to shine a light on how inhumane these men are in trying to control women's bodies. I'm so sorry for your loss and grateful for all you do.
It's not only men, of course. Asking how women end up doing the same, Abigail Thorn observes that some women enjoy criticizing other women, and that can be a "uniting" force.
This video is lengthy (about an hour) but very, very interesting in that she explains – using copious literary sources – how so-called "family values" ideologies have been, throughout history, and still are highly effective tools to institute and maintain paternal primacy and to keep women in subjugation:
https://youtu.be/FkuW7uKG6l8
I fear that is so pervasive that data and truth won't be sufficient to counteract it, but they must nevertheless be broadcast widely and often.
Very true, I had an 18 year old that was pregnant saying she’s choosing to keep her child that I should teach my young teens daughters about birth control instead of “killing babies”. The irony wasn’t lost since I managed not to get pregnant until I was in my 30s but needed an abortion on a planned pregnancy. I am fully pro choice. Pregnancy made me pro choice. Nearly bleeding out and suffering pregnancy complications made me pro choice.
I cannot bring myself to click the "like" button on this post. I respect and support the content provided in the post, but I don't like it. I deeply regret that you, Kate, and so many other women have to live through horrible pregnancies such as you and they have and must endure. I have three hopes for the future: (a) women will be trusted with the authority to make their own informed decisions about their child-bearing, (b) women who have experienced horrific pregnancies will reach peace for the rest of their lives, and (c) my countrymen (I use the gendered noun intentionally) will join me in hoping for (a) and (b).
Thank you for sharing. I had an ectopic 40 years ago, but thankfully could receive the needed surgery to save my life. I'm sorry for your loss.
If you (who are reading the comments) want to donate to a charity addressing this very issue, I have supported Every Mother Counts in the past. https://everymothercounts.org/ They work in several developing nations and in the US, with a focus on equity.
Thank you for writing this post. While I did not ever have to make those same choices, I'm glad that you had a choice to do so and I hope we can eventually get back to that for ALL women in the US.
Like you, I’m forever grateful for Kate’s bravery. And all of the [men and] women out there fighting for the betterment of women’s health.
Excellent piece. In Florida, we are fighting back as you’re probably aware.
Because of the expected adverse ruling by the Florida Supreme Court, we’re preparing training to help people access legal medication abortions.
A person’s reproductive health care is theirs and theirs alone.
Thank you for all you do.
I’m sorry but what is happening to her is insane, cruel and disgusting.
Thank you. Every voice matters. Thank you.