The world was different in 1978 when I found myself in the emergency room, bleeding profusely. I was six weeks pregnant and had been eagerly anticipating the arrival of my little one. But suddenly, everything changed. It was late evening at home as I was getting ready to turn in for the night when I started cramping and bleeding. I felt a sensation of dread as suddenly, blood began gushing out of me. My husband gathered our daughter, I grabbed a towel, we got in the car, and headed for the hospital. Though it took about five minutes to get there, the towel was already blood-soaked. The emergency room staff got me on a gurney and by the time the doctors arrived the white sheets were blood-red. The doctors shook their heads gravely and told me they had to perform a D & C.
Yes, I was afraid, but I had a three-year-old daughter and family who needed me, so I didn't hesitate to agree. I trusted the medical professionals to do what was best for me. And thankfully, everything turned out okay. I lost that pregnancy, but I survived and a year later had a beautiful baby boy.
But now, looking back, I can't help but wonder. What if I had been living in Arkansas today? I shudder to think about it. What if I had been facing a similar situation but without the protections of Roe vs. Wade? The stories coming out of states that have draconian abortion bans are horrendous. Many women are suing.
I know that many women in Arkansas are now afraid to seek the medical care they need. They're afraid of being judged, of being punished, of being denied the care they deserve. The thought of the denial of a D & C in 1978 sends a chill down my spine. My experience was emotionally painful yet because of access to care, I didn't suffer physical ill-effects like many women are suffering today. State abortion bans are targeting healthcare professionals, too. They are unsure what to do. They refrain from giving care because doing so would put them in legal jeopardy.
The Supreme Court's decision to gut Roe vs. Wade has left a gaping hole in the healthcare system. Across the United States, women do not have equal rights to healthcare. Some states ban abortion and some states provide abortion care. This inequality in healthcare is utterly disturbing. It's up to all of us to fight for women's reproductive rights and to ensure that no one has to suffer from a lack of healthcare. We owe it to the next generation of women to keep fighting, to keep advocating, and to keep pushing for change.
As I look at my children, now grown and strong and independent, I know that the fight is worth it. I'm glad I fought for women's healthcare rights in the 1970s and forward and was able to get the healthcare I needed. I am glad to be in the fight today.
CTA: I know that the future is uncertain, but I also know that we can't give up hope. We have to keep fighting, no matter what. For the sake of our daughters, and our daughters' daughters, and all the women who will come after us.
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