I Have Been Pregnant Twice, (and both ended without a living child) is Amanda Snelson’s story, her experience with the unpredictable process of pregnancy and birth. Ironically, it is part of the discussion around women’s reproductive freedom and rights regarding the threat of the United States’ Supreme Court imminently striking down the 1973 landmark decision: Roe v Wade.
WE ARE SHARING IT AS PART OF THIS DISCUSSION
Amanda deeply wanted to conceive and give birth to a live baby. In the complicated process, she discovered that her Choice over her own body in this highly unpredictable event was key to realizing her deepest wishes to create life and nurture a healthy child.
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In 1973, Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), was a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in which the Court ruled that the Constitution of the United States protects a pregnant woman’s liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction. The decision struck down many U.S. federal and state abortion laws. Since then, all women in the U.S. have enjoyed reproductive freedom and Choice over decisions about their own bodies.
However, there is imminent threat to this ruling, as on May 2, 2022, Politico obtained a leaked initial draft majority opinion penned by Justice Samuel Alito indicating that the Supreme Court is prepared to overturn Roe and Casey in a pending final decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization,[11] expected to be issued by June 2022.[12] A press release from Chief Justice John Roberts the following day confirmed the authenticity of the leaked document, but stated that the draft “does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case”.
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Although the moral arguments for and against honoring a woman’s agency over her own body seem obvious, Amanda’s story introduces new complications to this discussion. Ironically, her deep maternal desire to conceive and bear children are at odds with the overturning of Roe v Wade.
Life is way more complex than can be regulated.
WITH THIS STORY, WE’RE HOSTING HERSTRY
H E R S T R Y: TELLING YOUR STORY IS A REVOLUTIONARY ACT.
Unless she did something very incredible (or very, very bad) most women don’t get named in history. HerStry wants to rewrite the narrative and put women’s stories front and center.
Since 2015 we have collected hundreds of stories from women all over the world. Stories about love, loss, motherhood, friendship, and so much more. We all have something to say, and we all have experiences worth sharing. HerStry wants to get every woman writing, talking, and sharing her story.
Here is the podcast: I Have Been Pregnant Twice
Post Script: Since Amanda’s story was published on the Herstry website in April of 2018, she has given birth to two healthy babies.
