Editor’s note: The Indiana Daily Student does not typically post anonymous letters to the editor. However, due to this letter’s subject matter and heightened reason for anonymity, IDS co-editors-in-chief decided to publish this letter.
Trigger warning. This letter discusses pregnancy loss.
I am a 34-year-old woman and a PhD student. In January, I had a missed abortion (also known as a miscarriage). I wanted to be pregnant. I found out my pregnancy was not viable at my first ultrasound (second appointment). My body did not pass the pregnancy, so I needed a dilation and curettage (D&C). This is a procedure where the doctor dilates the cervix both manually and with the use of medication (misoprostol — the medication many lawmakers and politicians are trying to ban). They use a curette to scrape out the contents of the uterus, including the product of conception (POC).
This procedure was necessary for me to be able to become pregnant in the future, to keep me from getting sick, and in an extreme but possible case, to keep me alive. The medical staff and IU Health in Bloomington did an excellent job keeping me safe, comfortable and comforted. This is my second spontaneous abortion (third if you count the chemical pregnancy). I wanted to have the POC tested to try to find an explanation for my multiple spontaneous abortions.
Below are screenshots of my medical bills, starting with my first appointment to establish care (the pregnancy was not viable at this first appointment, but since they didn’t do an ultrasound, it wasn’t caught). The charges total $28,773.10 before insurance, and $6,896.03 after insurance. I submit this to share my experience with readers. I am also formally requesting any Indiana politician who supports pro-life legislation fund my medical bills so that my husband and I can afford to have a baby. Mike Braun, Todd Rokita, Micah Beckwith, Jim Banks, Andy Zay, any other public servant who wants to promote life.
