Democratic candidate for Congress says failed pregnancy represents need for more reproductive healthcare in Arkansas
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A northwest Arkansas woman challenging Congressman Steve Womack for the 3rd Congressional District seat said she is now experiencing firsthand what she said is the desperate need in Arkansas for more reproductive healthcare.
Democratic candidate Caitlin Draper told KARK 4 News she learned Monday she is experiencing a miscarriage after finding out she had a successful embryo transfer back in March. Draper said she had been trying to get pregnant for four years through IVF.
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Draper, now in a waiting period during the miscarriage, consulted with her medical team.
“I asked them, ‘Well if I start having symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, I live in Arkansas, am I safe to go to the emergency room for treatment?” she said.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, an ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition that happens when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube.
Draper said that after looking into the matter, her doctor came back with the answer that she “should” be okay if that were to be the outcome.
“‘You should be okay’ isn’t enough for me,” Draper said. “That’s my life.”
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The Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v Wade in 2022 allowing states to decide on the issue means in Arkansas a near-total abortion ban is in place because of the legislature’s decision, except when it’s to save the life of the mother.
Draper said she fears the worst-case scenario will result in her needing intervention to terminate the pregnancy, which could require her to travel out of state to do.
“I’m resourced enough, I’m married, I have a great job, I can leave the state if I need to if something goes off and I go to the emergency room and they won’t treat me,” Draper said. “But there are women in my district that can’t.”
Draper said this propels her to fight harder in the pro-choice movement moving forward as the Democratic candidate.
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KARK 4 News reached out to Womack’s team for a comment on the issue, but a spokesperson said he would not weigh in because this is a personal family matter for Draper.
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