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Healthcare
Photo Credit: Planned Parenthood
by Keri Entzminger
by Helen Tosteson
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Illustration: Helen Tosteson
RESOURCES
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by Yifan Cui
by Helen Tosteson
by Hana Razvi
by James Whitelow
Illustration: buzzrx.com
by Jadius McGhee
by Hana Razvi
OP-ED
Illustration: Wix
by James Whitelow
RESOURCE
According to Dr. Kristin Lyerly, abortion was already difficult to access in Wisconsin before the 1849 ban went into effect. There were only four possible clinics, and all of them were in the southern half of the state. Long-distance travel introduces logistical and financial complications to patients. After the ban, 2.1 million more Wisconsin residents lost nearby access to abortion. See the area that lost access overnight in June 2022.
Abortion is out of reach for central and northern Wisconsin
Helen Tosteson
RESOURCE
RESOURCE
Planned Parenthood provides resources for patients amidst a ban on abortion in Wisconsin
by Keri Entzminger
SIDEBAR
Planned Parenthood advocates for access to better healthcare
Health care is something that everyone should have access to. It shouldn’t be something that people are fighting for but unfortunately that is how it is right now. Everyone needs health care that is affordable and unbiased. People with low income shouldn’t be denied access to health care because of their low income.
According to Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, policies like “Healthy Women, Healthy Babies” invests in women’s health by prioritizing reproductive health care. Organizations like Planned Parenthood offer affordable and quality health care to anyone. They want to help people live full and healthy lives, no matter their income, insurance, gender identity, sexual orientation, race or immigration status.
Advocates of Planned Parenthood say you can help expand health care access by electing leaders who share values and understand that healthcare is right. Learn how you can support and get involved here.
“Supporting organizations like Planned Parenthood is about caring for others.” — Anonymous
On June 24, 2022, everything changed. Women no longer had freedom. They aren’t able to make their own decisions when it comes to their bodies or personal healthcare. That is now in the hands of politicians. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, taking away women’s constitutional right to abortion. Governor Tony Evers called a Special Session to repeal Wisconsin’s Criminal Abortion Ban from 1849, however things didn’t go his way. Instead, the 1849 ban on abortion was put into effect in Wisconsin. This forced Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI) to suspend abortion services because of this decision.
The Marquette Law School Poll conducted a survey about the importance of abortion before the overturn and found out from their survey that 40% of participants found the issue one of the most important and 39% found it somewhat important. Leaving the majority of the survey participants finding the issue of abortion important. However, the states that surround Wisconsin, abortion remains legal.
“The overturning of Roe v. Wade was deeply frightening to me. If something as vital as reproductive rights is able to be overturned, the possibilities of other existing protections being overturned is all the more plausible. Reproductive rights do not exist in a solitary space; they are a part of so many other social issues,” a 21-year-old college student from Wauwatosa said.
The idea of Planned Parenthood began at a birth control clinic in Brownsville, Brooklyn in 1916 by Margaret Sanger, Ethel Bryne and Fania Mindell. In 1923, the Birth Control Clinical Research Bureau in Manhattan and the American Birth Control League merged together to become Planned Parenthood® Federation of America, Inc. (PPFA®). In 1935, Milwaukee became home to the first center in Wisconsin, run by a group of volunteers. It has grown to be Wisconsin’s largest and most trusted reproductive health care provider. Then in 1936, the court ruled birth control devices and information could be legally distributed in New York, Connecticut and Vermont. As years went on, more choices were available to women such as the approved sale of birth control, a movement for safe and legal abortion and the Supreme Court ruled in favor of abortion rights in 1973. Now, there are nearly 600 Planned Parenthood Centers. However, with the overturn of Roe v. Wade, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin say this can affect the funding of Planned Parenthood for patients accessing care.
According to Planned Parenthood, their mission is to ensure that all people have access to healthcare and resources they need to make decisions about their bodies, lives and futures. The organization wants to provide sexual and reproductive health care services to all people. They advocate for public policies that protect reproductive rights and access to sexual and reproductive health care services. They also provide education on understanding human sexuality, health relationships and body autonomy.
PPWI has a similar mission to Planned Parenthood, however in Wisconsin, it is very important for them to provide support and resources to their people because of the ban on abortion. They provide sexual and reproductive health resources and support through patient services, education and advocacy.
“Between 22 health centers, Planned Parenthood has provided safe and affordable health care to over 60,000 Wisconsinites,” Mona Williams, Planned Parenthood Regional Coordinator for South Central, Wisconsin said.
Planned Parenthood provides a wide range of services: wellness and preventive care, reproductive health care, labs and tests, vaccinations and male services. According to PPWI, another service includes helping patients access safe and legal abortion care where it’s legal. Planned Parenthood also said, they are committed to providing comprehensive sex education that is medically accurate, culturally responsive, equitable and accessible to the young people of this country.
In June 2022, PPWI was forced to suspend abortion services due to the overturn of Roe v. Wade. This overturning of Roe v. Wade, allowed individual states to decide legal parameters.
“The overturning of Roe v. Wade was devastating for the people of Wisconsin. Folks were hurt and upset, afraid. Without the protections of Roe v. Wade, the lack of abortion access puts people at risk. Wisconsin is already one of the worst states in the nation when it comes to black maternal and infant mortality. People will die,” Williams said.
According to the Reproductive Health Journal, women who cannot gain access to abortions or self-manage abortions at home and are impacted by socio-economic or socio-cultural inequalities will potentially give birth to children they do not want and/or cannot care for, increasing abortions. By taking away the right to abortion, this causes women to travel to other states to access abortion because they have been denied the choice in their reproductive lives.
According to the Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, the Republican members of the state Legislature refused to repeal the criminal ban on abortion. This decision follows the lead of lawmakers from 200 years ago who believed women shouldn’t have the right to vote. Planned Parenthood advocates say the most important step now is to elect officials who would vote to pass the Restore Roe Act, which would repeal Wisconsin’s criminal abortion ban to protect access to abortion care.
To combat this overturn, PPWI is doing as much as they can legally. According to the PPWI website, they are providing patients with guidance and financial support to access abortion in other states, licensing abortion services staff in Illinois to ensure continuity of care and are expanding family planning services and emergency contraception distribution in Wisconsin communities.
“Planned Parenthoods doors remain open. We still provide the same comprehensive list of health services. PPWI has hired abortion navigators to help patients in the new reality and Planned Parenthood has been working with affiliates in states where abortion remains legal to ensure that our patients are still cared for despite the loss of access in Wisconsin,” Williams said.
Overall, the Planned Parenthood network is engaging with activists in all states to stay on top of issues and getting involved with campaigns to protect access to reproductive rights and health. There is also a Planned Parenthood Action Fund that expands people’s access to medically accurate care and education as well as the freedom to make their own decisions about sexual and reproductive care.
“Supporting sexual healthcare and reproductive rights are about so much more than your own personal situation. It is about helping and educating others and making conversations around reproductive healthcare less taboo,” a 21-year-old college student from Wauwatosa said.
Despite the overturn of Roe v. Wade, there are many ways to support and get involved with helping the people of Wisconsin. On the PPWI website there are pages to sign up for email alerts, volunteer, share personal stories, attend events and donate.
“Supporting organizations like Planned Parenthood is about caring for others. For example, getting tested for STIs ensures you are not spreading infections. It's like going to the doctor if you're sick,” 21-year-old college student from Wauwatosa said, “It is important to have resources like Planned Parenthood to be able to make sure young people are safe and educated so they are less likely to harm themselves and others.”
Wisconsin health providers face increasing anxiety over state politics
by Helen Asimina Tosteson
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States with abortion bans are losing doctors
Across the U.S., obstetricians, surgeons and internists are leaving their homes to practice in states that have fewer restrictions on abortion care. Dr. Nicole Teal, a maternal fetal medicine specialist, told ABC News that working under a 20-week ban put her in moral distress. Teal explained that most complications occur after 21 weeks; with a ban in place, her ability to help patients was compromised.
Although some bans include exceptions for saving the life of a mother or for cases of rape, the New York Times reported that in practice exceptions are rarely granted. The result is that doctors are forced to ignore their medical training. ABC news reported that this reality is pushing doctors away from restrictive states.
Medical students are also avoiding residency training programs in states with bans, according to the American Association of Medical Colleges. Students are concerned that in restrictive states their training will be incomplete. Dr. Beverly Gray, residency director at Duke University School of Medicine, told NBC News that abortion care is a crucial skill for OB-GYNs to develop.
These trends are contributing to a nationwide shortage of OB-GYNs. Patients in states with abortion bans will likely pay the cost.
Wisconsin health providers face increasing anxiety over state politics
by Helen Asimina Tosteson
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Illustration: Helen Tosteson
SIDEBAR
States with abortion bans are losing doctors
Across the U.S., obstetricians, surgeons and internists are leaving their homes to practice in states that have fewer restrictions on abortion care. Dr. Nicole Teal, a maternal fetal medicine specialist, told ABC News that working under a 20-week ban put her in moral distress. Teal explained that most complications occur after 21 weeks; with a ban in place, her ability to help patients was compromised.
Although some bans include exceptions for saving the life of a mother or for cases of rape, the New York Times reported that in practice exceptions are rarely granted. The result is that doctors are forced to ignore their medical training. ABC news reported that this reality is pushing doctors away from restrictive states.
Medical students are also avoiding residency training programs in states with bans, according to the American Association of Medical Colleges. Students are concerned that in restrictive states their training will be incomplete. Dr. Beverly Gray, residency director at Duke University School of Medicine, told NBC News that abortion care is a crucial skill for OB-GYNs to develop.
These trends are contributing to a nationwide shortage of OB-GYNs. Patients in states with abortion bans will likely pay the cost.
Dr. Kristin Lyerly no longer feels safe practicing as an OB-GYN in Wisconsin. Last fall, she had to make the difficult decision to leave her job in Sheboygan. Lyerly is one of three physician plaintiffs on attorney general Josh Kaul’s lawsuit to strike down Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion ban. According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Kaul filed the suit mere days after the fall of Roe v. Wade in June 2022 to try and stop Wisconsin’s ban from going into effect. As a plaintiff, Lyerly’s name shot into the public eye with terrifying speed. While she has used her newfound platform to fiercely advocate for the right to abortion and contraception, the dangers of the spotlight are not lost on Lyerly.
“I don't feel that it's safe for me to work in Wisconsin where the political environment is really hostile … So because of that, I am now working in Minnesota and Arizona,” said Lyerly.
Over the past year, health providers around the U.S. have been wrestling with similar anxieties over their safety and the safety of their patients. Their fears are not baseless. Lyerly cited the case of Dr. Caitlin Bernard, an OB-GYN in Indiana who also chose to publicly speak out in support of abortion care. NBC reported that in one interview, Bernard shared the harrowing story of treating a 10-year-old girl. The girl had been raped and was pregnant; doctors in Ohio legally could not end her pregnancy. In Indiana, Bernard was able to save the girl’s life with an abortion.
The story went viral; Biden cited it in a pro-choice speech, while Fox News accused Bernard of making it up. Indiana’s attorney general took Bernard to court for “violating patient privacy law” by discussing the case publicly. Despite support for Bernard from the medical community, she ended up being charged and fined. The whole affair served as a message to other reproductive health providers; no matter how careful you are, speaking out in support of abortion puts a political target on your back.
Even physicians who keep a low public profile are facing new anxieties after the fall of Roe v. Wade. According to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll, 61% of OB-GYNs in states with abortion bans are concerned about their own legal risk when making decisions about patient care and the necessity of abortion.
While Wisconsin’s 1849 ban makes an exception for abortions that would save the mother’s life, this distinction is often unclear in practice. Lyerly recalled that immediately after the ban went into effect, she and other OB-GYNs around the state were deeply concerned that meeting the standard of care for all patients would no longer be possible.
“[A pregnant person’s] status can change within minutes. And we don't have time at that point to call a lawyer. Or to call a colleague to come in and assess the patient. We often have to act very quickly,” said Dr. Lyerly.
While some cases are clearly life-threatening, like an ectopic pregnancy in which the fetus is growing outside of the uterus, many others are more complicated. If a pregnant patient gets diagnosed with cancer, determining whether an abortion would be life-saving could be difficult. Lyerly believes that legislators should hold no power in the doctor’s office during these challenging decisions, yet this is the new reality that Wisconsin physicians and patients are facing.
Lyerly emphasized that abortion is woven into nearly every aspect of gynecological care.
“From contraception to infertility care, to managing a miscarriage, to helping somebody deal with a complicated pregnancy. All of those things have some piece of abortion care,” detailed Lyerly.
While medical professionals have a nuanced understanding of abortion, many legislators do not. Wisconsin’s 1849 ban on abortion has no exceptions for nonviable fetuses or miscarriages. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, nearly 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage. The additional legal uncertainty that Wisconsin doctors now face is a barrier to quality care for these patients.
In states where abortion is banned, the KFF poll found that 40% of OB-GYNs have personally felt constraints on their ability to provide care for miscarriages and other pregnancy-related medical emergencies. 55% of those same physicians said that their ability to practice within the standard of care has become worse. In a post-Roe world, doctors’ fears are becoming reality.
Increased legal anxiety and fear of harming patients is not exclusive to physicians. A Green Bay midwife who wished to remain anonymous told NBC News that many of her miscarrying patients were unable to pick up prescribed misoprostol at their local pharmacies. Misoprostol is a medication that induces abortion; doctors can use it to help patients more safely miscarry with reduced physical and emotional trauma. The midwife suspected that pharmacists were trying to enforce Wisconsin’s abortion ban. According to the midwestern chapter of ACOG, however, most pharmacists do not see themselves as enforcers; rather, they fear prosecution for dispensing any drugs that have the potential to be used for abortion.
Reduced access to key medications is not unique to Wisconsin. Politico reported that across the U.S., pharmacists are delaying or refusing to dispense a wide range of drugs for chronically ill patients on the off chance that the drugs could be misused. According to Jack Resneck, president of the American Medical Association, drugs that treat lupus, arthritis, acne and more could potentially abort a pregnancy. The majority of pharmacy refusals and delays are falling on women of reproductive age.
In a confusing legal landscape, it can be difficult for patients to find accurate and consistent information about their rights. Since last June, some providers in Wisconsin have made it their mission to provide patients with all-options counseling about pregnancy.
Dane County’s Reproductive Health Nurse Navigator program began last fall. Their mission is to provide pregnant people with free, confidential all-options counseling. According to a nurse navigator who wished to remain anonymous for safety, the program started in response to an uptick of panicked calls from pregnant people who didn’t know what the fall of Roe v. Wade meant for their care.
“We knew of folks that were sitting in [Planned Parenthood] when the decision came down and they were sent away,” remembered the nurse.
As navigators, the nurses can help pregnant people find health insurance, understand their options, find abortion funds and find the nearest out-of-state clinics. As state employees, they can only provide information to patients seeking abortion; making recommendations or calls on behalf of patients is no longer allowed.
The nurse navigator has been witnessing the inequitable impacts of Wisconsin’s ban. Many callers already have a child and cannot afford another; others are worried about their immigration status if they seek an abortion. The nurse navigator has had to expand her understanding of abortion laws in surrounding states, federal immigration law, health insurance policies and the exact costs of medications without insurance (up to $800 for misoprostol, according to Planned Parenthood). While she did not go into the field to learn about policy, she has come to understand that it is crucial to her work.
The same is true for Dr. Lylerly. She looks forward to the day that she can return to her home practice in Wisconsin. The Associated Press reported that on July 7, a Dane County circuit judge allowed Kaul’s lawsuit to proceed. Lyerly hopes it will continue to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and overturn the abortion ban. In the meantime, she remains committed to speaking out in support of the right to choose. While getting involved in politics feels antithetical to her nature, she believes that it is her obligation to use her expertise to protect human rights.
“Politics is in everything we do," said Lyerly, "if you are not at the table, you’re on the menu."
Pharmacies selling birth control without a prescription?
Jadius McGhee
Photo Credit: NYT
Wisconsin pharmacies could soon be able to prescribe birth control to women without the need for a doctor’s prescription.
This comes as a relief for many Wisconsin women who cannot afford forms of birth control. Under current state law, women can only obtain most birth control through a prescription written by a doctor. There are many forms of birth control in the world today such as birth control pills, IUDs, condoms and many more. However, these forms of birth control can start to be very excessive and can often be very challenging to maintain due to the high cost, if insurance is unavailable.
Omolola Onitilo, a student at UW-Madison, said she is ecstatic that pharmacies may be able to prescribe birth control without the need for a doctor's approval.
“I think that having a non-prescription, over-the-counter birth control is very helpful to all women,” Omolola said. “Not everyone based on different socioeconomic statuses has the privilege to obtain a prescribed birth control method and a lot of people cannot even afford the insurance to cover birth control. So, this is a very accommodating bill that could be passed.”
After Roe V. Wade was overturned, the law in Wisconsin that was created in 1849 came back into effect. The law makes it a felony to perform an abortion at any stage of pregnancy unless it would prevent the death of the pregnant person. This law even applies to stages of rape and incest, meaning an abortion in both cases would still result in a felony.
Pheoron Scott, a student attending UW-Milwaukee, was frustrated at the fact that women do not get a choice even in cases of rape and incest.
“I feel like all life is definitely important but in cases of rape and incest, there should absolutely be some lines drawn because that is unacceptable,” Pheoron said. “There is no way anybody can tell me with a straight face that it is acceptable for a 12-year-old girl to have a child through cases of rape, incest or both!”
The passing of the bill is a step in the right direction for most Wisconsinites. It is especially relieving knowing Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has vowed to veto anything that doesn’t return state law to how it was before Roe v. Wade was overturned.
“I’ve been clear from the beginning,” Evers said. “That I won't sign a bill that leaves Wisconsin women with fewer rights and freedoms than they had before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade. I will provide clemency to any physician that is charged under that law.”
According to the National Institutes of Health, over 3 million unplanned pregnancies occur each year. This leads to over 1.5 million induced abortions being performed each year. Due to the overturning of Roe V. Wade, the number of induced abortions is expected to plummet. If accessible birth control were to be denied, we would also see an increase in the amount of unsafe abortions as well. However, with the possibility of having easily accessible birth control, the number of unexpected pregnancies may also take a very large drop if the bill were to be approved.
Araeya Huerta, a recent high school graduate, said that she wishes that pharmacies would have been able to do this a while ago.
“There were two girls who graduated from my high school a couple of years ago who both got pregnant,” Araeya said. “They both wanted to go on birth control but the cost was too much for them and they were afraid to ask their parents if they could get on a birth control method because they did not want their parents to know that they were doing sexual activities. So, had this been available for them back then, they could have prevented their unwanted pregnancy.”
Omolola said that although pharmacies may be able to prescribe birth control over the next few months, there are still massive steps that the United States can take to educate their women on their sexual health.
“It is very wishful thinking but I do hope that eventually The Supreme Court will abolish that law,” Omolola said. “I feel it is very outdated and not representative of the world that we are in today. I also think it is really important to make sure that in schools and places of education that women and girls are aware of the options they have when it comes to their sexual health. I also would love to see places of employment have some sort of plan set in place for employees that may find themselves pregnant. So, as a country there are a lot of steps that we can take and it is up to us to make them.”
The Birth Control Bubble: Understanding the effects of contraception on Women
by Hana Razvi
Photo Credit: womanlog.com
SIDEBAR
IUDs: the facts
An intrauterine device or IUD is a tiny flexible piece of plastic and medical device that is inserted in a woman's uterus in order to prevent pregnancy.
In some cases, a hormonal IUD can be used as a medication to treat hormonal disorders such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) or Endometriosis. An IUD can be either hormonal which means it contains the hormones estrogen and progesterone or copper, which means there are no hormones inside. The copper IUD can prevent pregnancy up to 12 years whereas hormonal IUDs can work up to eight years before needing to be replaced.
There are five different brands of IUDs that are FDA approved in the United States. They include; Paragard, Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta and Skyla. According to Planned Parenthood, the Paragard, Mirena and Liletta IUDs work super well as emergency contraception. If you get one of these IUDs put in within 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex, it’s more than 99% effective. It’s actually the most effective way to prevent pregnancy after sex.
The rising discourse regarding hormonal contraception (HC) in the United States sparks the debate about its effectiveness versus the side effects in women. There are several different methods of birth control, which can cause varying effects on women’s mental health. It is vital to understand that birth control is not a “one size fits all” and not every woman will experience the same symptoms. Two college students recount their birth control experiences while speaking up about how the contraceptive affected their mental and physical well-being.
Evidence based research suggests that both the hormones estrogen and progesterone heavily influence brain function, which can impact mood changes and depression in women who consume oral contraceptive pills. Furthermore, users of medroxyprogesterone acetate, an injectable form of contraception that contains progesterone reportedly have greater depressive symptoms than those in non-users, according to WebMD.
According to the National Library of Medicine (NIH), differences in neurotransmitters that impact mood, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, have been involved in clinical studies of depression, anxiety and psychosocial stressors.
20-year-old college junior, Alisha Sabih, described her experience on the pill in extensive detail, while encouraging others to listen to their healthcare providers but ultimately make the decision on their own.
“I felt absolutely disgusting on the pill. I gained about 50 pounds, was lethargic the majority of the time and had no hope at one point. I asked my doctor if I could switch pills or something, but she said this was my best option,” Sabih said.
The disconnect between Sabih and her physician is not uncommon. Unfortunately, there is growing concern in the media that medical professionals downplay the burden of HC and participate in the “medical gaslighting” of women. On the flip side, there are many physicians who are sounding the alarm of psychological side effects of HC in books and TED talks, advocating for women to switch to non-hormonal methods of birth control instead to alleviate harmful side effects.
“A lot of my friends are on different forms of birth control. I know people that have IUDs and the implant, but they also struggle with some of the same mental health issues I do,” Sabih said.
Whether it’s through an article, visit to a healthcare provider or asking a trusted individual, there is hope for women suffering from hormonal birth control-induced depression.
“Eventually, I got off the pill and decided to figure out my other options on my own. It’s been a little difficult with all of the options, but I’m confident I’ll find what works for me,” Sabih said.
In the 1960s and 70s, contraceptive researchers studied the large doses of synthetic hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, combined in the pill could potentially interact with mood-related neurotransmitters and metabolism.
Carleton University senior Victoria Aguado spoke on her birth control experiences with the intrauterine device (IUD) and pill respectively.
“I got an IUD during my freshman year of college. I had a long-term boyfriend and didn’t want to deal with my period so it seemed like the perfect option for me,” Aguado said.
An IUD is a form of birth control that is inserted in the uterus by a healthcare professional. IUDs are the most commonly used type of long-acting reversible contraception.
A large study from 2022 showed a positive association between estrogen levels in a hormonal IUD and the levels of depression, sleep disorders and mood changes in women who previously did not experience these conditions before the insertion.
“The IUD got rid of my period, but it made me so much more irritable and a lot of my acne resurfaced. I got the hormonal IUD so I knew it would happen, but it still sucked,” Aguado said.
Aguado explained that she ended up having to remove her IUD before studying abroad in January 2022 due to multiple health and financial setbacks.
“My health insurance wouldn’t cover it anymore. I had to go back on the oral pill which I also don’t really like. It sucked but I also wasn’t worried as much because I knew I wouldn’t be active,” Aguado said.
Aguado emphasized how important it is to her that future access to birth control becomes more accessible in order to reduce the anxiety of its effects. She further went into detail about how frustrating it is to be on a form of birth control for your health and well-being while not having the ability to properly access it.
“I took the pill when I was 16 and needed to regulate my period and control my acne. It wasn’t always about sex. I wish more healthcare companies understood that about young women,” Aguado said.
The initial decision to prescribe birth control to a patient should have extensive discussion of their mental health prior to the prescription. When making the decision of which form of birth control the woman chooses, there should be multiple additional factors such as age, past contraceptive use, mental health history and reliability.
According to NIH, Progestogen-only contraceptives should be used with caution in women with current or past depression. However, if there is a major contraindication for estrogen-containing contraceptives, a low-dose progestogen IUD or barrier contraceptives may be options.
Sabih and Aguado are only two of the millions of women who have a history with contraceptives. The negative physical and mental effects it has put on them is only a tiny morsel of what the rest of the country is dealing with. Around 72.2 million women in the United States were using a form of contraception as a form of birth control between the years 2015-2017. An estimated 64.9% of women had dealt with the mental health risks that come with birth control as a sacrifice for not bearing a child when they are not ready to.
In a time where access to contraceptives is being debated, these conversations are more vital than ever. Sabih and Aguado highlighted their individual experiences, but they also acknowledged how this conversation is one that typically takes place solely between them and their doctors.
“I’m grateful that my doctor laid out all of my (birth control) options with me privately before I had to tell my mom about it later. It wasn’t an easy conversation, but it was one that needed to happen,” Aguado said.
Pregnancy Centers: The safer and better alternatives for women and childbirth
by James Whitelow
Photo Credit: theithacan.org
SIDEBAR
Ohio takes steps to protect abortion
OHIO – This past Tuesday, pro-choice supporters celebrated a huge milestone in Ohio as Republican law “Issue 1” failed to be passed within Ohio legislation by 60%.
Since 1912, Ohio has used an election method in which the state will need half of the population to vote to pass a law into the constitution. For Issue 1, approximately 60% was required to vote yes or no.
According to MSNBC, the Republican bill aimed to make it difficult for individuals to have access rights to abortion and amending Ohio’s constitution.
Reproductive advocates and abortion groups have expressed gratitude as this victory will be appearing on the upcoming ballot in November. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, 20 states (including Ohio) have either banned or made restrictions to abortion.
According to a July 7 study by the Associated Press, the overturn of Roe v. Wade allowed states to swiftly take action to ban abortion rights. However, in conservative and liberal states, less than 60% of the vote was in support of banning abortions.
Issue 1 does not particularly mention anything about abortion or reproductive rights but the outcome has significantly affected a fundamental right and freedom that will impact Ohio’s November ballot.
From modern-day feminism to the political climate on reproductive rights, the matter has sparked numerous debates and perspectives towards the matter.
Across the U.S., reproductive rights have become common surrounding the debates from pro-life supporters, religious groups and Republican politics. But, the reality of reproductive rights debates is that they have become a continuum of narrow-mindedness as the U.S. population has limited the definition of “reproductive rights” to abortions.
But the understanding of this definition puts into perspective how both media and politicians have played a significant role in the ideology of what reproductive rights means and its impact on women around the world.
A mother of three and Milwaukee resident, Tamisha Whitelow, speaks on what reproductive rights mean to her through her story of becoming an early mother and how her thinking reflects today’s climate.
“Growing up in Kalamazoo, I was not aware of how important reproductive rights were until I had my first son. I remember that the only support I had back then was my mom but rarely knew anything about receiving prenatal assistance or anything. Until I moved to Milwaukee and got help from the House of Peace right on Walnut, the “rights” I thought I had were not transparent and now that I have my first grandchild, my daughter has those resources and help when she needs it the most”, said Whitelow.
According to Human Rights Watch, reproductive rights include prenatal services, safe childbirth, access to contraception and legal rights and access to abortions.
However, the national conversation on reproductive rights has failed to recognize two things: The first being the human rights of a woman and the resources that have been offered but limited to women.
Since the late 1960s, pregnancy centers have been available to women to help provide care and resources the women across the United States. In a 2019 study by Charlotte Lozier Institute, pregnancy centers served over two million people, accumulating over $266 million in total value.
Offering numerous services such as free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, financial assistance, baby supplies/needs, education, and housing with the help of volunteers, these centers have made a significant impact on the healthcare of women in society.
However, the cruel and judgmental behaviors I’ve seen and heard amongst politicians, religious groups and even my own family have shown a lack of understanding about what these centers can do.
For instance, the education and services Planned Parenthood clinics offer to individuals expand on abortion to services such as STD testing, birth control, free contraceptives, and walk-in appointments.
I remember passing by a small pro-life protest happening on Milwaukee’s east side when the Supreme Court decision of Dobbs v. Jackson ruled against abortion-- later setting in stone the decision of Roe v. Wade. Planned Parenthood asked volunteers to help escort women to and from the center due to protestors threatening, shouting and throwing things at women trying to access their services.
One woman dropped to the concrete as members of the protest tried to surround her with Bibles and derogatory language and suddenly shouted to the crowd, “I suffered a miscarriage! What is wrong with you all?”
Royalty Higgins, 22, speaks about reproductive rights and pregnancy centers coming from a male’s perspective.
“When I hear the term “reproductive rights”, it extends far from abortion but human rights amongst women. We (men) have profusely decided for women’s body autonomy without considering how to be an advocate for them. From behaviors of a former president to state governors to counties, reproductive rights also mean protection, financial stability, healthcare and most importantly, the fair opportunity to live. Pregnancy should be a place where women receive advice and resources. But unfortunately, a lot of people seem to misunderstand why these centers exist in the first place”, Higgins said.
In marginalized communities, these resource centers can be vital as women living in these communities are more than likely to face many barriers as far as accessing education, living in poverty, financial instability and more.
According to the Katal Center, Black and Indigenous individuals have a greater impact than White individuals of dying in childbirth by 243%. Black women are more likely to die by 33%. For LGBT and queer communities, the effects of Roe v. Wade will be greater as they’re already fighting for gender-affirming care.
To put it simply, reproductive rights aren’t a matter of morally defining abortion despite the ideologies of pro-choice or pro-life arguments. But women have the right to make their own decision of using safer resources from these centers.
To argue for or against reproductive rights, one needs to understand the actual meaning of the term and be aware of the various things included within that definition. Until then, the conversation on reproductive rights remains a topic that has become tainted by world politics and false advocacy.