“Our baby was wanted and loved.” Complications of Arkansas’ abortion ban

Synopsis

At four months pregnant, Chelsea and Thomas learned their third daughter was developing without a diaphragm. Her stomach and intestines were strangling her heart and compressing her lungs. Their daughter would die either during pregnancy, or shortly after birth.

Arkansas law blocked Chelsea from ending her pregnancy in her home state, even with the baby’s fatal diagnosis and the possibility that Chelsea’s own life could be in danger. Chelsea and Thomas had no choice but to travel to a clinic in Illinois for care. THV 11 reporter Sarah Horbacewicz spoke to the couple, who are just one instance of the many Arkansans who are forced to travel out of state each month for an abortion.