Chris
Chris and her husband's joy of getting pregnant is short lived when they receive devastating news that leaves a lifelong impression.
Chris' Journey
Chris and her husband have been struggling with infertility for some time.
After going through a range of emotions on their journey, Chris and her husband are finally relieved when they receive the news that their umpteenth embryo transfer is successful and results in a pregnancy!
A few weeks later, Chris’ water breaks, and her husband rushes her to the hospital for medical attention.
Chris’ doctor delivers heartbreaking news—due to Chris’ water spontaneously breaking, their baby will not be able to develop lungs that will allow it to live outside of her uterus.
At the hospital, doctors confirm that the fetus has a heartbeat. Due to Georgia’s abortion law and its confusing and narrow exceptions, doctors must inform Chris and her husband that she is not yet sick enough to get an abortion. Instead, she may only receive care when and if she begins bleeding heavily or develops an infection in her uterus that could spread to her bloodstream.
Devastated, Chris and her husband return home and are forced to endure additional pain and sorrow for days until Chris’ condition worsens, and she can finally receive care under Georgia’s strict law.
What makes Chris' pregnancy high-risk?
When a patient’s water breaks too early—before the baby’s lungs are developed enough to survive outside the uterus—it can lead to serious health risks like infection and heavy bleeding. Some patients choose to continue the pregnancy, knowing the risks.
Others, like Chris, talk it over with their families and decide that continuing would only bring more pain. They choose abortion care instead. It’s important that doctors are able to explain all the options and support each patient in making the decision that’s best for them.
The story doesn’t stop here.
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