From September 1, 2024, to September 1, 2025, I will explore the landscape of healthcare for pregnant-capable bodies in Post-Roe America. Building on my previous work documenting a late-term abortion clinic and shadowing midwives, this project will delve into the emotional and relational dynamics within these critical healthcare contexts. Maternal healthcare in the US is increasingly perilous, with one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations—approximately 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to the CDC. Additionally, services such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) are facing growing conservative opposition despite their vital role in reproductive healthcare. The $20,000 scholarship will fund travel and production of stories across the United States, highlighting diverse communities that are advancing women’s healthcare through innovative practices like gentle c-sections. This support will enable me to document these progressive approaches, create new images and develop a monograph. By capturing the profound connections between patients and healthcare providers, this project aims to reveal the nuanced realities of reproductive healthcare, including taboo and threatened areas such as abortion care, IVF, and underscore the need for comprehensive and compassionate care in a shifting political and social landscape.
