A new report highlights stark disparities in NHS waiting times, with gynaecology patients facing some of the longest delays in England. The data underscores systemic imbalances in how healthcare resources are allocated, leaving many women stuck in limbo for essential care.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about long waits—it’s about who’s being left behind. When gynaecology services are consistently overwhelmed, it signals a deeper issue in prioritising women’s health. For patients, prolonged delays can mean worsening conditions, added stress, and even life-altering consequences. The story matters because it forces us to ask why some medical needs keep getting deprioritised, and what it’ll take to fix it.

Maryland is using funds from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to help cover abortion costs for patients, including those traveling from states where abortion is restricted. With more out-of-state patients seeking care post-Roe, the state is creatively leveraging existing federal healthcare funds to expand financial support for abortion access.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about Maryland—it’s a clever workaround in a post-Roe landscape where abortion access is shrinking. By repurposing ACA funds, the state is easing financial barriers for patients in a region where neighboring states have bans. It’s a practical move that could inspire similar strategies elsewhere, showing how blue states are adapting to fill gaps in care.

In Georgia—a state with alarmingly high maternal death rates—a determined woman is battling bureaucratic hurdles and systemic gaps to open a birthing center. The story highlights how dangerous childbirth has become in the U.S., especially for marginalized communities, and how grassroots efforts are trying to change that.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about one woman’s fight—it’s a snapshot of a broken system. Maternal mortality in the U.S. is worse than in other wealthy nations, and Georgia’s rates are among the worst. When hospitals close or care is inaccessible, alternatives like birth centers can be lifesavers. This story matters because it shows both the crisis and the people fighting to fix it.

A surprising number of women report feeling intense pain during C-sections, despite the common assumption that they should be pain-free under anesthesia. Susan Burton, a journalist behind the podcast The Retrievals, sheds light on these distressing experiences, raising questions about why this happens and whether medical protocols are failing patients.

Siobhan Gorman was just 16 weeks into her pregnancy when she unexpectedly went into labor at home, delivering her baby, Archie, alone. The heartbreaking story challenges the often-dismissive language around early pregnancy loss, as Gorman pushes back against the idea that her child "wasn’t meant to be."

A surprising number of women report feeling intense pain during C-sections, despite the assumption that they should be numb under anesthesia. Susan Burton, a reporter and podcast host, digs into why this happens—whether it’s due to anesthesia errors, systemic gaps in care, or simply not being believed when they speak up. It’s a stark reminder that even routine medical procedures can go uncomfortably wrong.