Gift a This American Life subscription »

Browse our archive by

Filter by

Clear
There are 12 results for "Abortion"
795: Nine Months Later
Apr. 7, 2023

Prologue

Nine months ago, these people wanted abortions. But then, the laws changed. They had to wait to get an appointment, figure out how to get out of state or order abortion pills.  In that waiting, other things happened. (5 minutes)Today’s show was inspired by the excellent reporting of Caroline Kitchener.

Act One: First Trimester

In the months following the court’s decision, two women are stalled getting abortions. Reporter Caroline Kitchener follows Kae and Taylor in those early months, as they try to figure out what to do.

Act Two: Second Trimester

Doctors say one effect of the new bans is people seeking abortions much later into their second trimesters. Caroline got interested in a girl like that in Oklahoma.

Act Three: Third Trimester

It’s been nine months since the first group of people who wanted abortions couldn’t get them in their states. How have their lives changed, or not.

Act Two: Welcome to Illinois—Abortion Oasis

Our producer Zoe Chace goes to Fairview Heights, Illinois, where Planned Parenthood has opened a massive new abortion clinic just across the river from Missouri. Abortion is banned in Missouri and lots of the surrounding states now that Roe has been overturned.

Act Four: Next

Host Ira Glass walks through possible next steps with a pro-life activist who worked on the Texas SB8 bill, that set a precedent for enforcement of abortion bans throughout the country.

Act Six: The Babies 

Emma Green spends time with Anja Baker, who’s working on preparing Mississippi for the influx of babies it will have to absorb now that abortion is illegal in that state.

Act Five: The Pill Smuggler

Rebecca Grant introduces us to an abortion pill smuggler, who walks us through her undercover operation to mail pills to people who want medication abortions in places where it's hard to get them.