Here's my 2nd tweet thread on how the #RoeVsWade decision will hurt so many people.
Today let's talk about ectopic pregnancy. Common, and deadly. A medical emergency that can affect anyone.
Thread below...
(1/11)
#WomensRightsAreHumanRights
#ReproductiveRightsAreHumanRights
Today let's talk about ectopic pregnancy. Common, and deadly. A medical emergency that can affect anyone.
Thread below...
(1/11)
#WomensRightsAreHumanRights
#ReproductiveRightsAreHumanRights
(2/11)
Ectopic pregnancies, sometimes called "tubal pregnancies" are when the fetus is growing in the wrong place.
A fetus should take root in the uterus, where it can grow safely. If it gets stuck elsewhere, that's an ectopic.
It's super common - 1 in 50 pregnancies!
Ectopic pregnancies, sometimes called "tubal pregnancies" are when the fetus is growing in the wrong place.
A fetus should take root in the uterus, where it can grow safely. If it gets stuck elsewhere, that's an ectopic.
It's super common - 1 in 50 pregnancies!
(3/11)
many women have no idea that their pregnancy is ectopic.
One day, they have abdominal pain and/or vaginal bleeding, and they go to the ER - and an ultrasound confirms it. It's a serious emergency that ER providers see ALL THE TIME.
Every damn day, really.
many women have no idea that their pregnancy is ectopic.
One day, they have abdominal pain and/or vaginal bleeding, and they go to the ER - and an ultrasound confirms it. It's a serious emergency that ER providers see ALL THE TIME.
Every damn day, really.
(4/11)
once diagnosed, it's often a race against time before the ectopic RUPTURES: it can rip through the fallopian tube & cause life-threatening internal bleeding.
US now = 0.2% mortality. Without quick access to surgery, 10 TIMES HIGHER mortality.
So here's the problem...
once diagnosed, it's often a race against time before the ectopic RUPTURES: it can rip through the fallopian tube & cause life-threatening internal bleeding.
US now = 0.2% mortality. Without quick access to surgery, 10 TIMES HIGHER mortality.
So here's the problem...
(5/11)
Most states that just banned abortion make exceptions for a woman's health. But they make the language tricky and confusing - here's Louisiana's example:
see if you can spot the problem in the legal talk below...
Most states that just banned abortion make exceptions for a woman's health. But they make the language tricky and confusing - here's Louisiana's example:
see if you can spot the problem in the legal talk below...
(6/11)
So - it's 2 AM. The nervous ob/gyn knows it's JAIL if they remove an ectopic, unless they can prove that there wasn't another reasonable option.
They call the hospital lawyer. Who calls the admin team. A delay, since the doc wants to know if they have a green light.
So - it's 2 AM. The nervous ob/gyn knows it's JAIL if they remove an ectopic, unless they can prove that there wasn't another reasonable option.
They call the hospital lawyer. Who calls the admin team. A delay, since the doc wants to know if they have a green light.
(7/11)
all this time, the terrified pregnant woman waits. And in some of these instances, she will rupture and have uncontrolled bleeding.
And the risk of death will go up, way up.
all this time, the terrified pregnant woman waits. And in some of these instances, she will rupture and have uncontrolled bleeding.
And the risk of death will go up, way up.
(8/11)
so the lawmakers get off easy, since they said "oh, we had an exception for health" -
uh huh.
At 2 AM, when you know your career is on the line, a tough law with a stiff jail sentence creates a MASSIVE chilling effect. One that will certainly cost lives.
so the lawmakers get off easy, since they said "oh, we had an exception for health" -
uh huh.
At 2 AM, when you know your career is on the line, a tough law with a stiff jail sentence creates a MASSIVE chilling effect. One that will certainly cost lives.
(9/11)
and once again, like my prior thread on anencephaly, ectopics can occur to anyone, it's NO ONE'S FAULT.
white, black, married, single, rich, poor - any woman.
My prediction - we are going to hear some ugly stories from the ERs in abortion ban states in coming months....
and once again, like my prior thread on anencephaly, ectopics can occur to anyone, it's NO ONE'S FAULT.
white, black, married, single, rich, poor - any woman.
My prediction - we are going to hear some ugly stories from the ERs in abortion ban states in coming months....
(10/11)
and don't even get me STARTED on the immense stress & moral injury this creates among ER & ob/gyn docs & staff
People have been quitting ER jobs already - I predict staffing ERs in places like Louisiana is going to get harder - and then who will take care of you, mmm?
and don't even get me STARTED on the immense stress & moral injury this creates among ER & ob/gyn docs & staff
People have been quitting ER jobs already - I predict staffing ERs in places like Louisiana is going to get harder - and then who will take care of you, mmm?
(11/11)
postscript - read what the professional society of ob/gyn docs says about all this:
acog.org/news/news-rele…
postscript - read what the professional society of ob/gyn docs says about all this:
acog.org/news/news-rele…
postscript 2
I know my ER brethren are as upset as I am - we're just trying to help people in need. First COVID, and now this. We'll try to stay strong, but....
@MDaware @darakass @meganranney @jeremyfaust @ResusOne @kit_delgadoMD
I know my ER brethren are as upset as I am - we're just trying to help people in need. First COVID, and now this. We'll try to stay strong, but....
@MDaware @darakass @meganranney @jeremyfaust @ResusOne @kit_delgadoMD
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