Two women are now campaigning for President Joe Biden, highlighting the impact of overturning federal abortion protections on women’s health. One woman from Texas experienced premature labor, developed sepsis, and narrowly escaped death. The other woman from Louisiana was unable to seek medical assistance for a miscarriage due to restrictive abortion laws.
Support for abortion access played a pivotal role in the 2022 midterm elections, leading to unexpected success for Democrats at the polls. Since the ruling of the high court, voters have embraced numerous statewide ballot initiatives aimed at protecting and enhancing the right to abortion.
According to a recent poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, approximately two-thirds of Americans believe that abortion should generally be legal. Conversely, only about one-quarter of respondents think that abortion should always be legal, while just 10% believe it should always be illegal. The findings highlight the nuanced and varied perspectives within the American population on the issue of abortion.
Joshua and her husband eagerly anticipated the arrival of their second baby. However, their joy was overshadowed by concern when Joshua began experiencing bleeding and intense pain at around 11 weeks. Deep down, she feared that she might be miscarrying.
After visiting an emergency room in Baton Rouge, she underwent an examination by doctors who refrained from confirming her miscarriage or discussing potential medical choices. She was then instructed to return home and await further developments. As her bleeding intensified, she sought help at a different hospital, only to be sent back home and advised to contact her doctor after a few days. It was only later, when a midwife intervened, that the miscarriage of Joshua was officially confirmed.
Joshua expressed his frustration with the complexity surrounding the diagnosis and management of miscarriages. He emphasized how even something as seemingly straightforward as dealing with a miscarriage has become a convoluted process. He found it astonishing and alarming that obtaining a proper diagnosis has become so challenging.
On Wednesday, Joshua and Zurawski plan to visit Raleigh, Durham, and Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of their campaign. The team is particularly interested in this state as it is one that Biden hopes to win over. It is worth noting that North Carolina recently passed a law prohibiting most abortions after 12 weeks, despite a veto from the Democratic governor.
In the upcoming week, they plan to visit Milwaukee, Eau Claire, and Madison, Wisconsin, a state that Biden emerged victorious in during the 2020 elections. In an attempt to impose stricter regulations, Republicans in the state Assembly aimed to include a statewide referendum on the April ballot, proposing a ban on abortions after 14 weeks of pregnancy, surpassing the existing laws. However, the legislative session concluded without a state Senate vote on the matter.
Both women expressed that their own personal experiences motivated them to enter the field of politics.
Zurawski emphasized the lack of understanding and awareness surrounding the severity and grimness of the situation. She believes that it is crucial to share personal stories to shed light on the issue and create a clearer picture for others.
In a lawsuit filed last year, Austin resident Zurawski, 37, took legal action against the state of Texas due to the restrictive abortion laws that prevented her and other women from accessing necessary medical care. After undergoing 18 months of fertility treatments, Zurawski found herself in her second trimester when she experienced premature labor and received the devastating news that her baby would not survive. Despite the urgency of the situation, doctors were unable to perform an abortion as Zurawski’s life wasn’t at immediate risk.
Zurawski had to endure a period of waiting. Unfortunately, her condition took a sharp turn for the worse three days later, leading to the development of sepsis, a severe medical condition that occurs when the body’s response to an infection goes awry. Despite the challenging circumstances, she managed to stabilize temporarily to give birth to a stillborn baby girl named Willow. Following the delivery, Zurawski had to spend several days under intensive care.
Upon her return from a family trip to Disney World, she expressed her expectations, saying, “I had anticipated returning from the trip with my 1-year-old and putting her down for a nap.”
“I never imagined myself in this position, but here I am, conducting this interview to support the Biden campaign,” Zurawski said. “It’s a completely different world from what I expected.”
