Agonising delays for women as Dobbs decision worsens OB-GYN shortage

Supreme court ruling on abortion has led to specialists leaving restrictive states, with 36% of counties maternity care deserts

When Caslin Gilroy learned she was pregnant in May, she immediately contacted her doctor's office to book prenatal care. She'd visited the same clinic for years - including for her first pregnancy in 2020 - and thought booking an appointment would be straightforward. But Gilroy was told her doctor had no availability until August, when she would be close to 12 weeks along.

Unable to get a pregnancy confirmation appointment, which ideally happens between eight and 10 weeks, Gilroy grew anxious, and even struggled to convince herself that the pregnancy was real.