The O+G Advocates

Join The Advocates in a conversation with Jordan Zaslow, founder and Executive Director of Her Bold Move. The mission of Her Bold Move is to use media campaigns to elect unapologetically pro-choice women to political seats that have traditionally been dominated by anti-choice men. The COVID pandemic provided an opportunity to those in the media and entertainment industries to donate resources toward promoting progressive causes and what started as a volunteer project has become a national coalition of support for progressive women candidates. Her Bold Move plans to put progressive women in all the rooms where decisions are made - and we can join in that mission. 

Visit HerBoldMove.org to get involved and keep up with their work on their social media channels!

It's been a minute, but the OG Advocates are back with a new episode! Friend of the pod, Becca Hart Holder, is back to break down the journey we have been on with Mifepristone...and what potentially comes next. It's important to remember that Mifepristone is incredibly safe and efforts to restrict access to it is in no way based in science. Take a listen, leave a comment, share with a friend!

More than ever before, patients are seeking out OB/GYNs and requesting permanent contraception in huge numbers. There are Reddit lists and social media posts with lists of physicians who will help. So why are people asking for permanent contraception now? And what is the evidence to support the surgeons doing the procedures?

The Advocates are joined by Dr. Nikki Zite, an OB/GYN in Tennessee and formidable researcher on permanent contraception.  Follow Dr. Zite on Twitter @nikkizitemd and Join the conversation on our Instagram and Twitter pages!

Resources mentioned:

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and our guest is an expert on this subject, both personally and professionally. Dr. Julie Bindeman, a reproductive psychologist and reproductive rights advocate, joins The Advocates in a discussion of abortion in the context of individual perspective, societal compassion, and making healthcare decisions out of love.

We are joined by Bea Soderholm, DO and Raiven Owusu, both in Indiana, to discuss about how learners are dealing with the impending abortion ban. As a chief resident and fourth year medical student, they are both at a decision point in their career. Hear how abortion impacts their next steps in their career and why staying involved in abortion care is so important.

Indiana implements a total abortion ban on September 15, which has exceptions only for "life of the mother" and rape or incest until 12 weeks gestation.

Follow Dr. Soderholm at @beatrice__rae (Twitter and Instagram) and Ms. Owusu at @raiven_owusu (Twitter).

The Advocates share their reactions to SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, both in their own states and in our country.

Later in the episode, they are joined by Dr. Henry Klapholz, a professor emeritus OB/GYN who lived and worked through pre-Roe years. We discuss the dangers of the pre-Roe era, what complications we should worry about now that abortion is prohibited in many places, as well as what is different now that self-managed abortion is an option for patients.

The O+G Advocates welcome Jennifer Villavicencio, MD, MPP to discuss the intersection of racism and the anti-abortion movement. As the country prepares for the SCOTUS decision on Dobbs v Jackson, which will likely overturn the federally protected right to abortion, Dr. Villvicencio discussed how we got here in history and why abortion restriction is born out of racism.

Tune in to hear the predictions of how bad it will be, and listen in to find community and hope in the advocacy still to be done.

Resources mentioned:

The O+G Advocates react to the leaked SCOTUS Opinion, along with Drs. Caitlin Bernard, Luu Ireland, and Tracey Wilkinson. These abortion activists discuss the implication of overturning Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion, and talk honestly about how frustrated and angry they are at this juncture.

We come together in community, not only to grieve this impact on our patients, but also to support each other and find a way forward. Tune in to this special reaction episode, where we curse, rage, and strategize how to get through this moment in history.

Follow our guests:

Dr. Caitlin Bernard: @DrCaitlinBernard

Dr. Luu Ireland: @LIrelandMD

Resources mentioned in the episode:

ACOG members will recognize the name and impact of this episode's guest! The Advocates welcome Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward and former Chief Legal Counsel at ACOG. Skye talks about the recent decision on mifepristone administration, the legal ramifications of changing abortion legislation across the country, and challenges physicians to rise to the challenge of defending patient autonomy.

Skye has spent her career defending rights to reproductive health access, including abortion, and shining honest light on inequities in health care. Join the conversation and get your advocacy inspiration.  Follower her on Twitter @SkyePerryman 

In our first episode of 2022, The O+G Advocates speak with Dr. Minako Watabe about her advocacy work related to occupational toxin exposure for pregnant farm workers. This is a great continuation of our discussion with Dr. DeNicola on the critical interaction between environment and health for our patients. You won't want to miss this one!

CHAMACOS Study

In this episode, the O+G Advocates speak with Dr. Louise King MD, JD, a fellow OB/GYN, and fearless women’s health advocate. Dr. King discusses the double discrimination in gynecologic surgery and how it negatively impacts patient outcomes. She touches on the historical influences that created a system in which women’s health care is not valued which in turn drives the lower rate in reimbursement for gynecologic surgery. The poor reimbursement negatively impacts female surgeons who make up the majority of gynecologic surgeons today.

How did Texas past the most restrictive anti-abortion law in the country?  What reason did the Supreme Court give for not intervening?  How is this law different and how do we challenge it?  It's enough to make your head spin!  Thankfully, The Advocates talk to Texas lawyer Blake Rocap to break it ALL down for us.  

Blake has worked in or with the Texas Legislature since 2007. For the past seven legislative sessions, Blake has been Legislative counsel for AVOW (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice Texas) focusing his advocacy on abortion rights and reproductive healthcare. He is former board member, volunteer attorney and current legal director of Jane’s Due Process a statewide non-profit that helps young people in Texas navigate parental consent laws and confidentially access abortion and birth control. He is the immediate past president of the board of Every Body Texas the Title X grantee in Texas. He is a member of the Health Law, and Legislative and Campaign Law sections of the state bar. 

The Advocates talk with Dr. Ghazaleh Moayedi, a champion of reproductive health and justice and an abortion provider in Texas.  Dr. Moayedi talks about what it has been like being a provider in Texas since SB8 became law, the tireless work leading up to the enactment of this law, and what comes next.

Action Items:  

In this episode, the Advocates speak with Dr. Nate DeNicola about how environmental justice and toxic exposures intersect with reproductive health. You will not want to miss learning how you can advocate for a healthier environment to ensure healthier lives.

Follow Dr. Nate DeNicola on twitter @NDeNicolaMD

In this episode, The O+G Advocates speak with Dr. Hannah Locke, Director of Gynecology for the Eskenazi Transgender Health and Wellness Center at Indiana University, about being an advocate for transgender and non-binary folx. We discuss what it takes to provide this care and the importance of doing so.

Follow Dr. Locke:

Instagram: @drhannahlocke

Twitter: @drhannahlocke

Mentioned in the Episode:

Whipping Girl by Julia Serano

Amateur and Man Alive by Thomas Paige McBee

She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders by Laura Finney Boylan

On Monday, May 17th, 2021 The Supreme Court of the United States announced they would hear a case out of Mississippi.  This case arises from a law that bans nearly all abortions after 15 weeks, putting a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade.  This is also the first abortion case that will be heard after the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett.  

In this episode, The O+G Advocates interview Dr. Kristin Lyerly, a practicing Ob/Gyn Specialist, who shares her experience running for Wisconsin State Assembly. We discuss the process and impact of running for office as a physician advocate.  Dr. Lyerly shares her journey, lessons learned, and hopes for the future. We promise you will be ready to submit your signatures to get on the ballot after this episode.