ProPublica reviewed 12 of the nation’s strictest abortion bans. Few changed in 2023, as state lawmakers caved to pressure from anti-abortion groups opposing exceptions for rape, incest and health risks.

“With the current law in place, I will tell you, I wake up fearful of my pregnancy and what it would mean for my children, my husband and my parents if something happened to me and the doctor cannot perform lifesaving measures,” she told her fellow lawmakers last February, her voice faltering as tears threatened.

Rehfeldt was a stroke survivor and her pregnancy put her at high risk for blood clots and heart issues that could kill her. The state’s ban made abortion a felony unless it was “necessary to preserve the life of the pregnant female.” If Rehfeldt developed complications, doctors told her, the law didn’t make clear how close to death she needed to be before they could act.

“When can a doctor intervene? Do I need to have my brain so oxygen-deprived to the point that I am nonfunctional?” she asked the room.

  • @[email protected]English
    17•1 year ago

    “I would never have possibly imagined that a bill protecting a woman’s life could be so contentious,” Rehfeldt said on the floor of the House, announcing she was withdrawing her bill before even bringing it to a vote.

    This is why pro-choice groups keep trying to point out that abortions are necessary healthcare and should not be restricted on the whims of politicians. I think it’s sad that this woman, a nurse, wasn’t able to comprehend that until she had her own high-risk pregnancy. This is like a textbook case of leopard face-eating.

    • @dragonflyteaparty
      4•1 year ago

      And this is also why certain groups are trying to say it’s not an abortion if the procedure is done for medical reasons and trying to say that no pregnancy condition is ever treated with abortion. They’re trying to change the definition of what abortion is to continue to take rights away from people.