Idaho Physician Stories
“When I was in medical school, I kept trying to like other specialties more. But I kept coming back to women’s health.”
OBGYN MaryAlice Lopez speaks about the barriers created by Idaho's abortion bans and her role as both physician and educator. Many patients lack knowledge about pregnancy and are afraid to ask due to the state laws. In addition, routine appointments are being scheduled farther out because fewer doctors are available. All of this takes heavy tolls on doctors who remain in Idaho, because they're people too.
“As the laws progressed, there were a lot of questions like, I don’t know if I can carry babies to term.”
Miscarriage is common, and Idaho's laws unnecessarily create serious health and financial risks for pregnant people. Kristen and Loren discuss their experiences with infertility, multiple miscarriages, denial of legal routine care, and how this informs Dr Colson's work as an FMOB in Idaho.
I kept coming back to OB
I did all of the rotations and everything to avoid OB. Everyone said it was so difficult, and there were other areas that appealed to me too, like ER and pediatrics, but I kept coming back to OB.
Abortion Stories Library
At this point in our lives, we’re one and done. Who knows what the future holds, but it was a wild, wild experience, and I can’t say I want to do it again right now. Being pregnant in rural Idaho is terrifying.
I know what it feels like to be scared. To not know what to do. To need options. Today I’m a pilot. And I volunteer flying women to get the healthcare they need.
It was the first time I actually heard what it was like for the impregnated person. I don’t honestly remember the details of the individual stories because I was so overwhelmed recognizing myself as the man they were talking about.
My views have changed. Wanting bodily autonomy for women and women seeing their value is what I long for.