At The Female Body, we’re passionate about amplifying groundbreaking work on women’s health issues, and that’s why we’re spotlighting ProPublica’s essential work in maternal health reporting. For years, ProPublica has investigated the rising maternal death rates in the U.S., shedding light on preventable tragedies and sparking critical changes in maternal care. Now, their latest focus delves into the impact of recent abortion bans on maternal health—a critical issue affecting women across the country.
ProPublica reporter Kavitha Surana, with her baby, reporting on maternal health in Georgia.
In their “Life of the Mother” series, ProPublica journalists examine the effects of abortion restrictions, documenting how these bans are impacting reproductive health care. Many healthcare providers report hesitating to treat life-threatening conditions like preeclampsia and cancer in pregnant women due to fear of legal repercussions. Even exceptions supposedly made to save a mother’s life are under scrutiny, with vague legal language leaving doctors uncertain about how to proceed in emergencies without risking criminal charges.
One harrowing case involved Amber Thurman, a 28-year-old mother in Georgia. After suffering from a life-threatening infection, Amber needed an urgent procedure that her doctors were hesitant to perform due to legal restrictions. By the time they intervened, it was tragically too late. A state committee of maternal health experts later concluded that her death could have been prevented had timely care been provided.
ProPublica’s team wants to hear from healthcare professionals, policymakers, and individuals who’ve been affected by these issues. By shining a light on the human cost of these legal shifts, they aim to expose the gaps in maternal care—and how they can be closed to prevent more loss.
To reach out and share your experience with ProPublica’s maternal health team, you can contact them via email, voicemail, or Signal, details below.
Let’s support initiatives like ProPublica’s that seek to hold systems accountable and ensure every woman’s right to safe, responsive healthcare.
If you have a story to share or expertise to volunteer, you can get in touch with the whole team, including editors, at reproductivehealth@propublica.org. You can also leave us a voicemail at 917-512-0242.
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