Protect Reproductive Freedom
by Aviva Romm, MD
PROBLEM: On Friday of last week it seems we rewound the clock 50 years on women’s health in the U.S., stepping back into regressive political control over women's bodies. And indeed, the overturning of Roe vs. Wade was a powerful statement from the patriarchy that founded and has run this country for 250 years. They let us know loud and clear what already happening de facto in many communities in which women could not access full-spectrum reproductive care: Women are not truly equal citizens under the law. It is dystopian. And it is real.
Many of you are reeling in dismay. I, too, am deeply saddened that this is the state of our country, that we live in a culture that sees punishment and criminalization as an answer, rather than building a world in which there is more access, more services, more help. It’s a terribly frightening bell-weather tolling, telling us front and center that as women (and even more so for Black women and LGBTQ+ folk), we are not guaranteed the right to bodily autonomy. In fact, we have lost federal protection of this basic human right.
A minority of you may read this and think - I’m so disappointed that Dr. Aviva, a midwife I love and trust, supports women’s rights to have abortions. I hope all of you will read on - because this is about far more than abortion alone. And if this is no longer the right place for you to get information, I also respect that and wish you well on your way. I hope you respect and trust me enough to read on because here's the thing...
Regardless of your beliefs about abortion, will recognize that this historical judgment is about women’s safety in all aspects of reproductive health: this is about fundamental control over women’s bodies.
Beautifully stated by Every Mother Counts, “ Access to abortion care is central to the health and human rights of women and pregnant people, as recognized by the World Health Organization, American Medical Association and American Public Health Association. Evidence shows this will increase complications and deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth and exacerbate health inequities. If the U.S. were to ban abortion outright, pregnancy-related deaths could increase by 21% and up to 33% for Black women.”
But again, this is about far more than abortion. The blatant criminalization of women’s reproductive choices that will swiftly be set in place in at least half of all states will impact many other choices in reproductive health - including whether you, your daughter, sister, or friend would be able to terminate a pregnancy if it only ‘possibly’ rather than immediately and actively threatens the mother’s life. This has happened in the United States and in other western countries, for example, Ireland, when abortion was illegal there. Fortunately, even in that Catholic-majority country, abortion is now protected by law.
Criminalization of decision-making in pregnancy and birth will likely also become more rampant, particularly as fetal-personhood laws and medical beliefs about what’s ‘right’ and ‘best’ for the mother and fetus override a mother’s personal choices. It may become more difficult to make autonomous decisions regarding prenatal testing, place of birth, birth attendant, and many related issues. Should there be a difficult pregnancy or birth outcome and one chose not to follow conventional medical guidelines, under these new laws being enacted in nearly 50% of all states - most of which (states) include those already with the least access to reproductive health care, prenatal, and birth care - a pregnant person or new mother could be criminalized.
Today, and each day, I stand with you in sisterhood, and with a commitment to not only continue to do the work I do to help women be empowered and autonomous in their health care choices, but to make my voice louder and clearer in the prevention of the criminalization of reproductive health.
SOLUTION: Here are some things you can do starting today:
Learn: This week I am launching my new podcast, On Health. This has been in the works for 6 months, and we have fast-tracked the launch to bring you a special episode with the authors of Controlling Women: What We Must Do Now to Save Reproductive Freedom. Listen as we lay out things you can do to get involved and support women in need. Read the book. And stay tuned for much more on my website and new podcast. YES! You heard right! Natural MD Radio is being relaunched with all the goodness of the old podcast, and a lot that’s new. It’s me - only louder! If you’re already subscribed to Natural MD Radio, you should automatically get notifications about On Health, the new show! If you’re not - subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. You’re not going to want to miss this!
Be a Community Resource: As stated so powerfully by Mamatoto Village: “Our care comes from communities, not courts. We must step away from policing each other’s reproductive decisions and care, and instead, contribute to the sharing of useful information, resources, and culturally affirming practices.” Ineedana can help women find providers. Apiary Collective provides a regularly updated list of practical support by state and information on those needing abortion funds, and Repro Legal Helpline allows you to ask questions about self-managed abortions and the law. For information on self-managed abortion, there’s M+A hotline, You can go to Reproductive Health Access Project (RHAP) to learn more about abortion and contraceptive options, and other forms of contraception. And for more information on at-home medication abortion management see my social post here.
Rally: Rallies are a way to discharge personal energy and connect in community while showing public support and solidarity to women around the country - and world!
Get Involved in Electoral Politics: The conservative right has been garnering strength in the judicial system for 30 years by capturing judicial and law enforcement leadership positions locally. Voting locally can keep Blue States blue, turn Red states at least purple, and even in now illegal states, can protect rights. For example, an 1849 ban on abortion quickly took effect in Wisconsin after Roe was overturned, but the district attorney in Dane County, Ismael Ozanne, which includes the college town of Madison, indicated he would not prosecute cases under what he called an “archaic” law. He stated that, “If the voters want a district attorney who prosecutes women for seeking an abortion or licensed providers who are acting in the best interest of their patients, they will need to elect someone else. We’ve got to start supporting local candidates far more than in elections every 4 years - so vote local.
Support Local Reproductive Health Organizations and Services: Find those organizations in your community that provide access to respectful reproductive health care and find ways to support them - especially now when organizations are inundated. This can be anything from answering calls at a hotline to providing much needed funds for organizations helping women to access a wide variety of services, to driving women to access care, watching children, packing a sandwich and some tea if they have to travel far to get the care they need.
Healthcare Providers, Be a Firewall Between Patients and the Law: If you are a healthcare provider, do not involve law enforcement in medical reproductive health situations beyond what is actually legally mandated reporting for your profession. Do not be duped into thinking local or hospital politics and policy are the same as legally mandated reporting. If you are in a state where abortion is legal - don’t assume you have to follow any regulations from illegal states! We must be the point of resistance between our patients and the encroachment of law enforcement and the carceral system, while providing culturally affirming, respectful, and comprehensive reproductive care for all pregnant people.
Along with sister organizations and individuals, I will continue to fight for reproductive rights, maternal rights, birth justice and equity - and do my part to ensure that all women and pregnant people have access to the care they want and need, in a way that is safe, dignified, autonomous, and respectful.
Standing strong with you, Dr Aviva Romm
