PRH Files Amicus Brief to Maryland Supreme Court
OUR STATEMENT
On January 12, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Doing Right By Birth, and several physicians who practice in Maryland including Dr. Carolyn Sufrin, filed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court of Maryland explaining the grave health consequences of punishing parents who avail themselves of Safe Haven laws, which becomes all the more concerning as the nation is in the midst of a maternal health crisis.
Dr. Sufrin, ob/gyn in Maryland and Fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health responds:
“As an ob/gyn who has provided full spectrum reproductive health care to patients and families in Maryland for over 11 years, I see firsthand the grave implications that restricting health care and resources has on families. It is critical that Maryland continue to ensure that parents not be punished for accessing supports in the post-partum period, and sometimes that means needing to rely on safe haven laws to keep them and their child safe.”
Dr. Sufrin is joined by the support of reproductive health and birth justice groups, Physicians for Reproductive Health which represents over 550+ physicians nationwide and Doing Right By Birth, a physician led organization focused on supporting family and child wellbeing and development.
Dr. Mishka Terplan from Doing Right By Birth shares:
“Precisely when mothers and infants need us most, the healthcare system withdraws care in the postpartum period, increasing vulnerability to worsening behavioral health symptoms and conditions. Birth and parenting are wondrous, yet we make it difficult. Many people need support, and some need a brief respite. Punishing individuals for seeking safe haven during this critical time violates both biomedical ethics and human rights.”
The brief expands on Dr. Sufrin and Terplan’s experiences:
“Birthing persons in Maryland and across the United States are in crisis. Despite continuing medical advancements and increased attention to perinatal care, birthing persons continue to face serious health complications, or even death, throughout all stages of pregnancy, including during the postpartum period…
“In this context—and in a post-Dobbs world where reproductive freedom is at risk— safe haven laws provide a critical resource for postpartum persons who may be unable to parent due to severe prepartum or postpartum health conditions. Simply put, in an environment with very little support and resources protecting postpartum health, a postpartum person can turn to safe haven laws at a time of crisis. Penalizing postpartum persons for doing so poses grave risks to postpartum persons and newborns.”
Please read the brief in its entirety.
CONTACT US
Email [email protected] to speak to a physician advocate or get added to our reporter list.