Reproductive Health

a number of protest signs supporting abortion rights
Ayana Byrd  Jun 17, 2019 3:11PM EDT

NYC Funds Abortions For People From States With Restrictive Bans

It is the first time a city has used its budget to step into the national abortion battle.
Pregnant person in a striped gray and black shirt holding a purple flower as someone touches their stomach
Ayana Byrd  Jun 11, 2019 4:24PM EDT

STUDY: Being Denied an Abortion is Detrimental to Long-Term Health

In the first study of its kind, researchers looked at illness in people denied abortions compared to those who were able to obtain the medical procedure.
outside of St. Louis Planned Parenthood with Missouri and U.S. flags
Ayana Byrd  Jun 3, 2019 10:32AM EDT

Missouri's One Abortion Clinic Will Stay Open—For Now

A judge temporarily stopped the state from revoking St. Louis Planned Parenthood’s license.
People on steps at Connecticut Black Reproductive Freedom Rally. Three Black women stand in front of banner with megaphone.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  May 30, 2019 3:38PM EDT

Activists Unite for Black Reproductive Freedom Rally

Activists from nine organizations stood up for Black people’s bodies on the steps of Connecticut’s State Supreme Court.
women hold signs in support of abortion rights outside Supreme Court
Ayana Byrd  May 29, 2019 10:11AM EDT

Supreme Court Issues Partial Ruling on Indiana Abortion Law

The justices did not rule on the part of the law that addresses the constitutionality of the medical procedure.
Black woman standing in front of signs supporting abortion rights
Ayana Byrd  May 28, 2019 1:34PM EDT

ICYMI: Court Blocks Mississippi's 6-Week Abortion Ban

In his ruling, United States District Judge Carlton W. Reeves began with four telling words: “Here we go again.” 
outside shot of Manhattan's federal courthouse
Ayana Byrd  May 22, 2019 12:39PM EDT

Two Dozen States and Cities Sue Trump Administration to Protect Reproductive Rights

The lawsuits seek to block the “conscience rule,” which allows health care providers to deny abortion care and other legal medical services.
Profile view of pregnant woman wearing black shirt with long brown hair hiding her face standing beside a white and green U.S. Border Patrol truck.
Shani Saxon  May 15, 2019 5:42PM EDT

Are Federal Officials Criminalizing Pregnant Migrants?

Immigrant advocates say the United States Marshals Service is committing “atrocities” against these vulnerable asylum-seekers.
Roger Smitherman of Alabama state senate at a podium
Ayana Byrd  May 15, 2019 1:41PM EDT

Alabama Passes Bill That Effectively Bans Abortion

The nation’s most restrictive law was drafted with the hope that it will lead to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.
Black man in white tuxedo and black glasses smiles while holding gold award statue in front of black and white and gold background
Ayana Byrd  May 13, 2019 4:25PM EDT

Hollywood Reacts to Georgia Abortion Law

Nearly $3 billion was spent in the state on television and film shoots last year. Now, producers are using that leverage to protest the restrictive law.
Black mom against a black backdrop holding and kissing a black baby on its forehead
catherine lizette gonzalez  May 10, 2019 12:07PM EDT

Author Q&A: Dani McClain On the Power of Black Mothering

In her new book, “We Live for the We: The Political Power of Black Motherhood,” author and journalist Dani McClain sets out to discover what it means to raise her daughter with dignity and joy in a hostile world.
orange pill that reads Free the Pill
Ayana Byrd  May 9, 2019 4:47PM EDT

#FreeThePill Day Marks 59th Anniversary of Birth Control Pill

The movement to make the pill available over the counter hops on Twitter. 
hands holding a sign that reads stop the war on choice
Ayana Byrd  Apr 24, 2019 12:13PM EDT

Court Blocks Trump Administration's Abortion 'Gag Rule'

A federal judge called the regulation a “ham-fisted approach to public health policy’” that would harm lower-income earning women.
Brown belly of pregnant person being examined by doctor in blue with stethescope
Ayana Byrd  Apr 16, 2019 2:56PM EDT

U.S. Healthcare System Endangers Black Pregnant People of Undocumented Status

Shut out of the Affordable Care Act, they may not be able to access or afford prenatal care.
Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. White building sits in front of a blue sky with scattered white clouds.
Ayana Byrd  Apr 10, 2019 2:03PM EDT

Senate Holds Hearing on Bill to Restrict Abortion Access

The Senate Committee on the Judiciary hearing was in support of a bill that seeks to make it illegal to have an abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Protesters hold signs. Two blue and white signs say, "Keep abortion legal." One black and white sign says, "Abortion kills a person."
Ayana Byrd  Apr 1, 2019 1:45PM EDT

Georgia Is Latest State to Ban Abortion After Six Weeks

The “heartbeat ban” is opposed by politicians, reproductive rights activists and prominent names in Hollywood and the business world.
Pro-Choice Abortion sticker
Ayana Byrd  Mar 22, 2019 2:45PM EDT

Mississippi Passes Restrictive 'Heartbeat Ban' Abortion Law

The state already has just one clinic to perform the medical procedure.
U.S. Supreme Court and protest sign supporting abortion
Ayana Byrd  Mar 19, 2019 11:59AM EDT

Maryland Aims to Leave Title X Program to Protect Abortion Providers and Patients

If approved, the state will refuse nearly $4 million in funding to create its own family planning program.
Close-up of two pregnant, Black prison inmates as they stand behind bars with the orange uniforms raised to show their pregnancies.
Shani Saxon  Mar 13, 2019 3:39PM EDT

States Consider Ban on Shackling Incarcerated People During Childbirth

The American Civil Liberties Union estimates that roughly 12,000 pregnant women are jailed in the United States each year.
Marva Sadler. Smiling Black woman with dark brown locs, wearing gray, collared shirt
Marva Sadler  Mar 10, 2019 9:03AM EDT

Guided by Love, Abortion Care Providers Are Voices For Their Communities [Op-Ed]

On Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, Whole Woman’s Health’s Marva Sadler shares what guides her mission to provide quality, compassionate abortion care.