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personal essay, US politics, abortion, reproductive health
Mob Rule Over the Womb: The Texas Abortion Law is Outrageous and Dangerous
It’s time for someone who survived a high-risk pregnancy to educate those who don’t get it
“Please step back.” The anesthesiologist stretched his arm pushing back my ex-husband from taking another picture of my open womb. At 38 weeks, I went into premature labor, was rushed to the hospital, and underwent an emergency cesarean.
Awake and frozen from my shoulders down, I watched the eyes of the two doctors who worked to remove my daughter from my womb. I could see and smell blood on their hospital gowns. I decided to focus on their faces instead of their hands tugging and pulling diligently over my mid-section. The anesthesiologist calmed me by putting his hand on my shoulder during the surgery. I thought about putting myself under, but I wanted to be awake to see the birth of my baby.
These doctors knew me well because I was in their office at least once per month during my pregnancy. I lost count of how many ultrasounds I had. In August of that year, I had to come in once a week for an ultrasound. I was put on bed rest for the month and I remember asking the doctor if I could vacuum. If…
