šØ What If You Need Emergency Pregnancy CareāBut Canāt Get It?
š Imagine rushing to the ER for a pregnancy emergencyāonly to be told you donāt qualify for treatment under new laws.
This isnāt a dystopian future. Itās happening right now.
In at least 14 states, pregnant people are being denied care for life-threatening complicationsāeven when the fetus is nonviable. Some hospitals are delaying treatment until patients are at risk of sepsis, organ failure, or even death.
š” The time to prepare is NOW. Knowing where to go before you need help could save your life.
Why Is This Happening?
šØ Abortion bans have created confusion for hospitals. Some states prohibit ALL abortion care, even for medical emergencies.
šØ 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."
šØ 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 unethicalāitās deadly.
ā ļø How to Protect Yourself Now
āļø 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 youāre denied care, ask for a written statement explaining why.
āļø 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.
āļø 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.
āļø 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 ā Assists with medical travel costs.
Midwest Access Coalition ā Helps people travel for reproductive care.
āļø Get an Advocate
If youāre denied care, contact:
If/When/How's Repro Legal Helpline ā (844-868-2812)
Janeās Due Process (Texas legal help)
The M+A Hotline (for medication abortion questions: 833-246-2632)
ā ļø Itās terrifyingābut preparation saves lives. Until laws change, we have to be ready.
š¬ Have You Experienced Barriers to Emergency Pregnancy Care?
Drop your story in the commentsāyour experience could help someone else.
š¢ Tag a friendāpregnant people deserve better, but until we change the laws, we have to protect each other.