I have been struggling - it's not that I didn't realize the enormity of these bans, or that I wasn't reading this Substack religiously - I think it is because there was a small piece of me that didn't let it in, if that makes sense. Since Kamala's speech, its a tidal wave of fresh grief. And many of my peers are still voting third party. I am scared, but resolute. Thank you as always for your important work.
How creepy is this? And how fundamentally unAmerican is this fucker? Sometimes we have to force ourselves to watch this and distribute it to wake people up. Because there are still people who think he is fit for the presidency. North Korean dictator was fake crying with women to birth more babies. This guy is taking cue from him and has reduced America to that low low bar. If you have any self respect and pride in your country, you will never ever consider trump and his enablers an option.
Check this map for the number of pregnancy related deaths Republicans have caused with their abortion bans. Which states have the highest rates of maternal mortality? Who are the MAGA Senators for that state? Mapping abortion deaths to the Republican responsible for that state can help hold them accountable. You can run (for office), but you cannot hide (from your abortion bans).
11 hospitals have closed across the state of Georgia since the passage of the ACA. Why? Because the GA GOP (self-gerrymandered into uncompetitive seats) won't take the ACA Medicare expansion. Is this what the citizens of Georgia want? HELL NO! Consistent polling shows a hefty majority in our state want that expansion.
Yes, abortion bans are killing women in Georgia. But that's only half the story of the damage the GA GOP has done to the women & families of this state. Maybe allowing all our hospitals to go toes up is another reason GA maternal death rates are sky high.
Uncle Sam needs to send help soon! Southern women are doing our damndest to survive the "party of family values." The GOP is a failed institution for any person who cares about human heath & flourishing.
I just have to get this out. Fucking GOP assholes are causing so much PTSD. Decades ago I had a friend who in her 38th week - 38th WEEK - was informed… no heartbeat. No issues through out her pregnancy, baby shower passed, sheet on the crib. No heartbeat detected. Her baby had passed. It’s so long ago my mind has blocked what the final diagnosis was. But I remember her doctor telling her the best resolution would be for her body to naturally figure out there’s a problem and proceed to end the pregnancy on its own. (He wouldn’t induce.) Now living in NYC people generally don’t talk to strangers… unless you’re hugely pregnant. It’s like everyone you pass wants to wish you well. For DAYS she had to walk around (to help/hope her body would start the natural process) and receive cheers of new babiness from strangers. She was 38 weeks. She arrived home from a walk once to hear her husband crying, out loud bawling, in the shower. We were all in shock and pain. It hurts so much to recollect this as I write. Finally after ?? A few days of my friend’s poor body not “resolving” this, the doctor decided to have her in to induce. To medically end the pregnancy. It was becoming a toxicity complication for my friend’s health. She was to report to the maternity ward. Being a large and busy NYC hospital, of course not everyone could know her situation. Of course many points of contact along her arrival - including some nurses in the maternity ward - did not know, and offered their happy baby cheers. My friend held her deceased daughter one time. Today when assholes talk about evil Democrats supporting late term abortions I think back to my friend. I can’t imagine the PTSD pain she feels - when my bystander PTSD is so palpable. WTF America. Please let’s move on from this chapter. Leave people alone. Trust women. Trust doctors. Thanks for letting me share and I’m sorry for causing any PTSD to anyone reading. I feel you.
I am really kind of creeped out by all these reports of parents holding their dead and dying babies after giving birth. Is this something they request to do, or is it offered -- "suggested" -- by the staff and doctors?
I think we need to keep hammering the issue that if it is up to states, pregnant people will die. The potential of a national ban is of course an issue we need to be worried about, but women are dying here and now because of what has already been done, and we can't lose the focus on that by allowing the issue to be some phantom in the future.
These republican bans make me really angry 😠. I hope there is a huge blue wave in every state, just to let the fucking republican politicians that we will NOT stand for their goddamned bans. This also goes for the republicans running for lower offices like school boards and city councils. A BLUE WAVE is coming in November!!
Sorry if this is the wrong spot to post but... I pre-ordered your book! I was so glad to do it and may order more copies, presuming each extra one helps just as much as pre-ordering one? I think it would be a great holiday gift for a few folks in my life.
Anti-choice OBGYN Ingrid Skop, for example, wrote in an op-ed that “pro-abortion media have unreasonably frightened doctors about when they can intervene in a pregnancy emergency,”
Does Skop assume that the nation has forgotten Ken Paxton’s threat to go after the doctor who was told by a judge that Kate Cox could receive an abortion? We haven’t. They complied with the law and Paxton said, “Hell, no!” This is why doctors hesitate.
Sorry not sorry Republicans, it's too little and way too late. You're spouting anything you can, because you got caught-NOT because you really care about the wanton cruelty these Trump abortion bans have inflicted upon women.
We know what you're doing, and will not be voting for you. We aren't fools. Treating women badly has consequences, and it's high time you all recognize that. While you're at it, stop treating us like garbage. Trust, and respect, must be earned; you will learn that and have to work to get it back.
I'm glad to hear Sen. Wyden sent some letters to hospitals about not properly treating women. EMTALA is still in effect, even though states with Trump abortion bans want to play fast and sloppy with the law. I wish letters would be sent to every state attorney general to remind them as well.
The use of the word “viability” concerns me. Who draws that line? Some people seem to think there is a remedy for an ectopic pregnancy, when a fertilized egg has implanted early in a fallopian tube rather than making it to the uterus. Just to be clear, this fertilized egg cannot be saved and moved to the uterus, the implantation phase has passed.
Viability for a fetus to survive outside the uterus depends on the health of both the pregnant person and the fetus. A fetus with half a head will never be viable. A pregnant person convulsing from eclampsia cannot support the life of her fetus. This is still a medical decision, not a legal decision.
Sure. "Viability" is a political term. It tries to evade the real medical and biological issue which is, when and why does birth occur? What triggers birth? It must be something in gestation where the fetus, now a neonate, sends some sort of signal or creates some sort of condition that triggers it.
Rachel reported just now that OH Republican senatorial candidate is caught saying that for women over 50, abortion is not an issue. LOL... Let us show the fucker how wrong he is.
Women over 50 still occasionally need a D+C...which is the exact procedure that happens in abortion. So is he saying this procedure will not be available to any woman over 50? Who is this guy, and does he have an actual medical degree? Where is his supporting evidence for this broad generalization that would deny women over 50 needed healthcare?
I am SO tired of these people doing this, someone needs to push back every time they say/do something stupid.
These men are such fucking idiots - do they not realize that we have daughters, granddaughters, nieces- and even if we don't have any of those, we give a shit about women. This is about maintaining control of our own lives, bodily autonomy - basic human right!
Many of us fought this battle and won fifty years ago and are determined to make sure women’s rights are secured once again. In fact, Roe is insufficient. It was a compromise and I don’t intend to compromise again. I want equal rights for women which means zero interference in women’s healthcare decisions.
In Louisiana, AG Liz Murrill has come out and blamed the press for reporting that doctors are running drills in anticipaction of misopristol becoming a controlled substance, saying that this is "sowing confusion". She, and Louisiana Right To Life, are saying that "there shoudn't" be any delay in care... despite the State's Director for perinatal care (a practicing OB-GYN) saying otherwise. The guidance from the state's Department of Health literally says that doctors should seek advice of counsel. "Should any provider or medical professional have additional questions about Act 246, including compliance and implementation concerns, the Louisiana Department of Health recommends that the provider/professional seek legal advice from its own legal counsel. "
I have been struggling - it's not that I didn't realize the enormity of these bans, or that I wasn't reading this Substack religiously - I think it is because there was a small piece of me that didn't let it in, if that makes sense. Since Kamala's speech, its a tidal wave of fresh grief. And many of my peers are still voting third party. I am scared, but resolute. Thank you as always for your important work.
How creepy is this? And how fundamentally unAmerican is this fucker? Sometimes we have to force ourselves to watch this and distribute it to wake people up. Because there are still people who think he is fit for the presidency. North Korean dictator was fake crying with women to birth more babies. This guy is taking cue from him and has reduced America to that low low bar. If you have any self respect and pride in your country, you will never ever consider trump and his enablers an option.
https://x.com/Acyn/status/1838385754466324847
Check this map for the number of pregnancy related deaths Republicans have caused with their abortion bans. Which states have the highest rates of maternal mortality? Who are the MAGA Senators for that state? Mapping abortion deaths to the Republican responsible for that state can help hold them accountable. You can run (for office), but you cannot hide (from your abortion bans).
"Where can pregnancy be a death sentence?"
https://thedemlabs.org/2024/09/24/republican-abortion-bans-drive-up-maternal-mortality/
11 hospitals have closed across the state of Georgia since the passage of the ACA. Why? Because the GA GOP (self-gerrymandered into uncompetitive seats) won't take the ACA Medicare expansion. Is this what the citizens of Georgia want? HELL NO! Consistent polling shows a hefty majority in our state want that expansion.
Yes, abortion bans are killing women in Georgia. But that's only half the story of the damage the GA GOP has done to the women & families of this state. Maybe allowing all our hospitals to go toes up is another reason GA maternal death rates are sky high.
Uncle Sam needs to send help soon! Southern women are doing our damndest to survive the "party of family values." The GOP is a failed institution for any person who cares about human heath & flourishing.
I just have to get this out. Fucking GOP assholes are causing so much PTSD. Decades ago I had a friend who in her 38th week - 38th WEEK - was informed… no heartbeat. No issues through out her pregnancy, baby shower passed, sheet on the crib. No heartbeat detected. Her baby had passed. It’s so long ago my mind has blocked what the final diagnosis was. But I remember her doctor telling her the best resolution would be for her body to naturally figure out there’s a problem and proceed to end the pregnancy on its own. (He wouldn’t induce.) Now living in NYC people generally don’t talk to strangers… unless you’re hugely pregnant. It’s like everyone you pass wants to wish you well. For DAYS she had to walk around (to help/hope her body would start the natural process) and receive cheers of new babiness from strangers. She was 38 weeks. She arrived home from a walk once to hear her husband crying, out loud bawling, in the shower. We were all in shock and pain. It hurts so much to recollect this as I write. Finally after ?? A few days of my friend’s poor body not “resolving” this, the doctor decided to have her in to induce. To medically end the pregnancy. It was becoming a toxicity complication for my friend’s health. She was to report to the maternity ward. Being a large and busy NYC hospital, of course not everyone could know her situation. Of course many points of contact along her arrival - including some nurses in the maternity ward - did not know, and offered their happy baby cheers. My friend held her deceased daughter one time. Today when assholes talk about evil Democrats supporting late term abortions I think back to my friend. I can’t imagine the PTSD pain she feels - when my bystander PTSD is so palpable. WTF America. Please let’s move on from this chapter. Leave people alone. Trust women. Trust doctors. Thanks for letting me share and I’m sorry for causing any PTSD to anyone reading. I feel you.
I am really kind of creeped out by all these reports of parents holding their dead and dying babies after giving birth. Is this something they request to do, or is it offered -- "suggested" -- by the staff and doctors?
I think we need to keep hammering the issue that if it is up to states, pregnant people will die. The potential of a national ban is of course an issue we need to be worried about, but women are dying here and now because of what has already been done, and we can't lose the focus on that by allowing the issue to be some phantom in the future.
The crisis and chaos are already here and will continue to get worse.
This.
These republican bans make me really angry 😠. I hope there is a huge blue wave in every state, just to let the fucking republican politicians that we will NOT stand for their goddamned bans. This also goes for the republicans running for lower offices like school boards and city councils. A BLUE WAVE is coming in November!!
Sorry if this is the wrong spot to post but... I pre-ordered your book! I was so glad to do it and may order more copies, presuming each extra one helps just as much as pre-ordering one? I think it would be a great holiday gift for a few folks in my life.
We just did, too!
Gotta say, I am so glad/grateful/lucky Ron Wyden is my senator. He just seems like a good solid dude all around. (A rarity!)
ICYMI even more shady sh** in Florida
https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/columns/nate-monroe/2024/09/19/florida-broadcasters-back-gov-ron-desantis-anti-abortion-ad-blitz/75277155007/
Anti-choice OBGYN Ingrid Skop, for example, wrote in an op-ed that “pro-abortion media have unreasonably frightened doctors about when they can intervene in a pregnancy emergency,”
Does Skop assume that the nation has forgotten Ken Paxton’s threat to go after the doctor who was told by a judge that Kate Cox could receive an abortion? We haven’t. They complied with the law and Paxton said, “Hell, no!” This is why doctors hesitate.
Sorry not sorry Republicans, it's too little and way too late. You're spouting anything you can, because you got caught-NOT because you really care about the wanton cruelty these Trump abortion bans have inflicted upon women.
We know what you're doing, and will not be voting for you. We aren't fools. Treating women badly has consequences, and it's high time you all recognize that. While you're at it, stop treating us like garbage. Trust, and respect, must be earned; you will learn that and have to work to get it back.
I'm glad to hear Sen. Wyden sent some letters to hospitals about not properly treating women. EMTALA is still in effect, even though states with Trump abortion bans want to play fast and sloppy with the law. I wish letters would be sent to every state attorney general to remind them as well.
Thank you.
The use of the word “viability” concerns me. Who draws that line? Some people seem to think there is a remedy for an ectopic pregnancy, when a fertilized egg has implanted early in a fallopian tube rather than making it to the uterus. Just to be clear, this fertilized egg cannot be saved and moved to the uterus, the implantation phase has passed.
Viability for a fetus to survive outside the uterus depends on the health of both the pregnant person and the fetus. A fetus with half a head will never be viable. A pregnant person convulsing from eclampsia cannot support the life of her fetus. This is still a medical decision, not a legal decision.
Sure. "Viability" is a political term. It tries to evade the real medical and biological issue which is, when and why does birth occur? What triggers birth? It must be something in gestation where the fetus, now a neonate, sends some sort of signal or creates some sort of condition that triggers it.
Exactly. Perfectly illustrated real life examples.
Rachel reported just now that OH Republican senatorial candidate is caught saying that for women over 50, abortion is not an issue. LOL... Let us show the fucker how wrong he is.
Women over 50 still occasionally need a D+C...which is the exact procedure that happens in abortion. So is he saying this procedure will not be available to any woman over 50? Who is this guy, and does he have an actual medical degree? Where is his supporting evidence for this broad generalization that would deny women over 50 needed healthcare?
I am SO tired of these people doing this, someone needs to push back every time they say/do something stupid.
They are all neanderthals.
Moreno said that?
These men are such fucking idiots - do they not realize that we have daughters, granddaughters, nieces- and even if we don't have any of those, we give a shit about women. This is about maintaining control of our own lives, bodily autonomy - basic human right!
Many of us fought this battle and won fifty years ago and are determined to make sure women’s rights are secured once again. In fact, Roe is insufficient. It was a compromise and I don’t intend to compromise again. I want equal rights for women which means zero interference in women’s healthcare decisions.
In Louisiana, AG Liz Murrill has come out and blamed the press for reporting that doctors are running drills in anticipaction of misopristol becoming a controlled substance, saying that this is "sowing confusion". She, and Louisiana Right To Life, are saying that "there shoudn't" be any delay in care... despite the State's Director for perinatal care (a practicing OB-GYN) saying otherwise. The guidance from the state's Department of Health literally says that doctors should seek advice of counsel. "Should any provider or medical professional have additional questions about Act 246, including compliance and implementation concerns, the Louisiana Department of Health recommends that the provider/professional seek legal advice from its own legal counsel. "
https://lailluminator.com/2024/09/22/murill-doctors/
An earlier piece with the "guidance" from the Department of Health: https://lailluminator.com/2024/09/07/misoprostol-louisiana/
So a healthcare professional needs to have an attorney on retainer? This is crazy.