This is a story about facing a legitimately life-threatening pregnancy in a state where abortion is illegal — from both the patient’s and her doctors’ perspectives.
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Some background:
When Tennessee lawmakers passed a total abortion ban in 2019, few thought it would ever go
into effect.
Turns out, it’s one of the most severe bans in the nation. It contains no explicit exceptions, not even for the health of the pregnant patient.
And..
When Tennessee lawmakers passed a total abortion ban in 2019, few thought it would ever go
into effect.
Turns out, it’s one of the most severe bans in the nation. It contains no explicit exceptions, not even for the health of the pregnant patient.
And..
Crucially, it threatens doctors who provide abortions with up to 15 years in prison. They could also lose their medical licenses.
One lawmaker supported the bill told me: “It wasn’t like Roe v. Wade was on the verge of being overturned. It was theoretical at that point.”
One lawmaker supported the bill told me: “It wasn’t like Roe v. Wade was on the verge of being overturned. It was theoretical at that point.”
I talked to 20 Tennessee medical providers. Overnight, they faced ethical dilemmas for cases that were previously considered routine parts of medical care.
Provide care and risk a felony, or comply with the law and risk a malpractice suit — or worse?
Provide care and risk a felony, or comply with the law and risk a malpractice suit — or worse?
It’s not just Tennessee. We found at least 70 examples across 12 states of women with high-risk pregnancy complications who were denied abortion care or had the treatment delayed since Roe was overturned. Doctors say the true number is much higher.
Some women reported being forced to wait until they were septic or had filled diapers with blood before getting help for imminent miscarriages. Others rushed across state lines to get treated for a condition that was rapidly deteriorating.
(More here: nytimes.com/2023/03/06/us/…)
(More here: nytimes.com/2023/03/06/us/…)
But not everyone can travel. The people most affected by abortion restrictions are those with little means, whose fragile stability can be disrupted by any new unexpected hurdle.
That was the situation for Mayron Hollis, who made the decision to end a life-threatening pregnancy a day before Tennessee’s ban went into effect. 
At the time, Hollis was entangled in a child welfare case and worried that if she went out of state, she might lose the job that paid for her lawyers and be accused of abandonment.
So, she continued the pregnancy.
So, she continued the pregnancy.
The journey and the aftermath have been harrowing.
Hollis’ embryo had implanted in the scar tissue from a past cesarean section.
It was expected to develop into a life-threatening placenta disorder that could cause hemorrhage, loss of bladder and uterus, and death.
Hollis’ embryo had implanted in the scar tissue from a past cesarean section.
It was expected to develop into a life-threatening placenta disorder that could cause hemorrhage, loss of bladder and uterus, and death.
At 26 weeks and 2 days, Hollis began bleeding profusely and was rushed by ambulance to the hospital, where her daughter was born 1 lb, 15 oz.
Hollis has to go back to work three weeks later.
Hollis has to go back to work three weeks later.
She is sharing her story with the public because she knows other women may not survive.
“I’m so glad I have my baby,” she said “But it was at the expense of almost losing my life — a risk I didn’t have any choice in taking.”
propublica.org/article/tennes…
“I’m so glad I have my baby,” she said “But it was at the expense of almost losing my life — a risk I didn’t have any choice in taking.”
propublica.org/article/tennes…
Her doctors also spoke to ProPublica candidly about what it was like to be caught in the middle of this decision as the law came into effect.
“I’m so disappointed in myself,” one said as he decided not to participate in her care.
“I’m so disappointed in myself,” one said as he decided not to participate in her care.
Other doctors have told ProPublica the law is affecting care for high-risk pregnant patients across the state.
“It’s crazy — even assessing the patient or having a role in their care makes people scared,” one said.
“It’s crazy — even assessing the patient or having a role in their care makes people scared,” one said.
Hollis's daughter is now 3 months old. She was released on Feb. 23 at nearly five pounds.
But she continues to face developmental challenges common for pre-term babies. Last week she was hospitalized again after contracting a respiratory virus. She remains in the hospital.
But she continues to face developmental challenges common for pre-term babies. Last week she was hospitalized again after contracting a respiratory virus. She remains in the hospital.
The photography of Stacy Kranitz, my partner in this project, really brings home the lived reality of this law. Grateful for support of visual editors @AndreaWise_ and @zellpic, and everyone who made this story possible.
We are going to continue to cover the effects of post-Roe abortion laws.
Email me at kavitha.surana@propublica.org
Or, if you can help us report on how abortion restrictions affect medical care, share it with @propublica reporters here:
propublica.org/getinvolved/ar…
Email me at kavitha.surana@propublica.org
Or, if you can help us report on how abortion restrictions affect medical care, share it with @propublica reporters here:
propublica.org/getinvolved/ar…
Check out our past reporting on post-Roe America: propublica.org/series/post-ro…
And sign up here to get stories like this as soon as we publish:
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