🚨 What If You Need Emergency Pregnancy Care—But Can’t Get It?
🚨 What If You Need Emergency Pregnancy Care—But Can’t Get It?
🛑 Imagine rushing to the ER for a pregnancy emergency—only to be told you don’t qualify for treatment under new laws.
This isn’t a dystopian future. It’s happening right now.
In at least 14 states, pregnant people are being denied care for life-threatening complications—even when the fetus is nonviable. Some hospitals are delaying treatment until patients are at risk of sepsis, organ failure, or even death.
💡 The time to prepare is NOW. Knowing where to go before you need help could save your life.
Why Is This Happening?
🚨 Abortion bans have created confusion for hospitals. Some states prohibit ALL abortion care, even for medical emergencies.
🚨 Doctors fear prosecution. In places like Texas, doctors can face $100,000 fines and jail time for providing care that could be interpreted as an "illegal abortion."
🚨 Patients are forced to travel hundreds of miles. Many are being sent home to bleed, develop infections, or go into septic shock before being treated.
This is not just unethical—it’s deadly.
⚠️ How to Protect Yourself Now
✔️ Know Your Legal Rights
EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act) requires hospitals to provide stabilizing care for life-threatening pregnancy emergencies.
BUT states like Texas, Idaho, and Oklahoma are actively challenging this law, making enforcement inconsistent.
Document everything. If you’re denied care, ask for a written statement explaining why.
✔️ Identify Safe Hospitals
Not all hospitals provide full pregnancy care. Some are legally barred from offering abortions, even in medical emergencies.
Call ahead and ask if they provide treatment for miscarriage complications, ectopic pregnancy, or preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM).
Find the closest hospitals in neighboring states that have legal protections for abortion-related care.
✔️ Have a Travel Plan
If you live in a ban state, identify the nearest hospital across state lines that provides full pregnancy care.
Time matters. In an emergency, you may only have hours to act.
Use apps like Mayday Health to find providers who offer emergency care.
✔️ Secure Emergency Funds
Out-of-state medical travel can cost $500-$3,000+.
Start setting aside funds now or connect with groups like:
Brigid Alliance – Assists with medical travel costs.
Midwest Access Coalition – Helps people travel for reproductive care.
✔️ Get an Advocate
If you’re denied care, contact:
If/When/How's Repro Legal Helpline – (844-868-2812)
Jane’s Due Process (Texas legal help)
The M+A Hotline (for medication abortion questions: 833-246-2632)
⚠️ It’s terrifying—but preparation saves lives. Until laws change, we have to be ready.
💬 Have You Experienced Barriers to Emergency Pregnancy Care?
Drop your story in the comments—your experience could help someone else.
📢 Tag a friend—pregnant people deserve better, but until we change the laws, we have to protect each other.