“I’m Scared to Get Pregnant in Texas Now”: The Cost of Pro-Life Policy
Upon request for anonymity, the woman we spoke to in this story will go by Maria.
November 6th, 2024 we sat down to have conversations with women across the country after the 2024 Presidential Election. Maria, a 33-year-old woman from Texas, underscored a profound and deeply personal concern faced by many women today—the fear of pregnancy in a landscape where access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion, is fraught with legal and emotional challenges. For her, a hopeful vision of motherhood has been overshadowed by the fear of what might happen if her pregnancy does not go as planned.
Maria, whose story echoes countless others, had always imagined starting a family at this stage in her life. She is married, financially stable, and surrounded by a supportive community. Yet, the possibility of unforeseen complications during pregnancy now feels like an uncharted territory of risk. Her apprehension is rooted in a simple yet profound question: “What would happen if I needed an abortion to protect my health? I’m scared to get pregnant in Texas now.”
Her fear is not unfounded. In Texas, laws surrounding abortion have tightened significantly over the past few years. While exceptions exist, the legal and practical hurdles women face can create confusion and hesitation at best, and life-threatening delays at worst. The emotional weight of navigating these legal boundaries adds another layer of stress to an already vulnerable experience.
Medical complications during pregnancy are not rare. Conditions like preeclampsia, placental abruption, or severe fetal abnormalities can arise without warning. In such cases, timely medical intervention can mean the difference between life and death for the mother. For Maria, and for many others like her, the fear of not having access to abortion stems not from a lack of desire for children but from the uncertainty of whether she could receive the care she needs if complications arose.
Her words resonated with a particular poignancy: “It’s terrifying to think that the choice between my health and my baby’s future could be restricted by laws made by people who will never be in my shoes.” This sentiment is shared by many women who face a new calculus when considering starting or expanding their families.
Maria’s story is a call to reflect on the realities faced by those in states where reproductive healthcare is heavily restricted. It sheds light on how legal measures impact not only the right to choose but also the peace of mind and safety of women considering motherhood. Her story underscores the critical importance of clear, compassionate, and accessible healthcare—an environment where women can approach pregnancy with hope, not trepidation, and where decisions about their health and their families remain firmly in their hands.