Dear friend,

My name is Jennifer Adkins, and I'm the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit filed earlier this week by the Center for Reproductive Rights against my home state of Idaho. I never imagined I'd be in this position, but after Idaho's laws put my health and life at risk, I knew I had to take action.

Earlier this year, I discovered with joy that my husband and I were expecting our second child. We were elated. But then, at our 12-week ultrasound, we learned that the child I was carrying suffered from multiple severe conditions and was not expected to survive.

I had been so excited to welcome our second child into our lives and was devastated by the news. And worse, I learned that the longer my pregnancy progressed, the greater the danger would be to my own health. I was at risk for a condition called mirror syndrome, which would cause extreme swelling and high blood pressure—the same life-threatening symptoms that my baby was experiencing.

My trusted care team was visibly distraught when they explained what this diagnosis meant under Idaho's abortion bans. We all knew the miserable state of play: even with my health and life at risk, I would not be able to terminate my pregnancy in Idaho.

My husband and I were overcome by grief, but with no other options and our then 18-month-old son to care for, I had to travel to Oregon to end my pregnancy and save my life.

Beyond the heartache of losing our child and having my own health jeopardized, the additional travel and medical costs meant that we wouldn't be able to make our mortgage payment. I am so grateful for the assistance we received from family, friends, and two abortion funds.

My home hospital just lost its genetic counselor and will soon lose its last remaining maternal fetal specialist because of these bans—so who will be there to care for all of us if this happens again? It isn't safe to be pregnant in Idaho.

With the support of my incredible husband John, I am sharing my story with you today because I worry that the same thing could happen to any one of us – to you, your sisters, your daughters or friends.

That's why I'm suing Idaho over these bans. We all deserve to be able to make informed decisions about our health care without the intrusion of politicians.

My story is one of many. I encourage you to read stories from other brave women who have been impacted by—and are fighting against—these cruel laws across the United States.

In solidarity,

Jennifer Adkins
Lead Plaintiff, Adkins v. State of Idaho