As syphilis cases among US newborns soar, doctors group advises more screening during pregnancy

With syphilis cases in U.S. newborns skyrocketing, a doctors group now recommends that all pregnant patients be screened three times for the sexually transmitted infection. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued new guidance on Thursday saying the screening should be done at the first prenatal visit, during the third trimester and at birth. … Read more

Idaho group says it is exploring a ballot initiative for abortion rights and reproductive care

BOISE, Idaho — A new Idaho organization says it will ask voters to restore abortion access and other reproductive health care rights in the state after lawmakers let a second legislative session end without modifying strict abortion bans that have been blamed for a recent exodus of health care providers. “We have not been able … Read more

Morning sickness? Prenatal check-ups? What to know about new rights for pregnant workers

Pregnant employees have the right to a wide range of accommodations under new federal regulations for enforcing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act that supporters say could change workplace culture for millions of people. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the agency in charge of enforcing the law, adopted an expansive view of conditions related to pregnancy … Read more

Emergency rooms refused to treat pregnant women, leaving one to miscarry in a lobby restroom

WASHINGTON — One woman miscarried in the lobby restroom of a Texas emergency room as front desk staff refused to check her in. Another woman learned that her fetus had no heartbeat at a Florida hospital, the day after a security guard turned her away from the facility. And in North Carolina, a woman gave … Read more

Experts group says abortion in Germany should be decriminalized during pregnancy’s first 12 weeks

BERLIN — An independent experts commission recommended Monday that abortion in Germany should no longer fall under the country’s penal code and be made legal during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Currently, abortion is considered illegal in Germany but not punishable if a woman undergoes mandatory counseling and a three-day wait period before she … Read more

What to know about this week’s Arizona court ruling and other abortion-related developments

Developments this week in Arizona underscored something that was already apparent about the 2024 elections in the United States: Abortion is going to loom large as an issue in state and federal elections — including the presidential race — and directly in the form of referendums in some states. An Arizona Supreme Court ruling that … Read more

Polish lawmakers will vote on whether to lift a near-total abortion ban

WARSAW, Poland — Polish lawmakers are due to vote Friday on whether to lift a near-total ban on abortion, a highly divisive issue in the traditionally Roman Catholic country, which has one of the most restrictive laws in Europe. The party of centrist Prime Minister Donald Tusk wants to change the law to allow women … Read more

Iowa asks state Supreme Court to let its restrictive abortion law go into effect

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa asked the state Supreme Court on Thursday to let its blocked abortion law go into effect and uphold it altogether, disputing abortion providers’ claims it infringes on women’s rights to exercise bodily autonomy. The law, which bans most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy and before many women know … Read more

Poland has a strict abortion law — and many abortions. Lawmakers are now tackling the legislation

WARSAW, Poland — Poland’s parliament is finally holding a long-awaited debate on liberalizing the country’s strict abortion law. The traditionally Catholic nation has one of the most restrictive laws in Europe — but the reality is that many women terminate pregnancies at home with pills mailed from abroad. Lawmakers in the lower house of parliament … Read more

What to know about the Arizona Supreme Court ruling that reinstates an 1864 near-total abortion ban

PHOENIX — The Arizona Supreme Court has delivered a landmark decision in giving the go-ahead to enforce a long-dormant law that bans nearly all abortions, drastically altering the legal landscape within the state around terminating pregnancies. The law predating Arizona’s statehood provides no exceptions for rape or incest and allows abortions only if the mother’s … Read more