The largest hospital in Alabama paused IVF in the wake of state Supreme Court Decision
The University of Alabama at Birmingham health system paused in vitro fertilization procedures following an Alabama Supreme Court decision due to fear of criminal prosecution and lawsuits.
A statement emailed by UAB spokeswoman Hannah Echols said they are “saddened” for patients who want to have babies through IVF. She said patients can continue the process up through egg retrieval, but fertilization and embryo development is paused for now. The UAB Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility made the move after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos had the same status as children in wrongful death lawsuits.
Producer/Host/Director/Videographer/Editor: Amanda Khorramabadi
Reporter: Amy Yurkanin
Cam and Lindsey Ward share their IVF story
The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos have the same legal rights as children. The ruling stemmed from an interpretation of an anti-abortion law passed by the Alabama legislature and voted into law as a constitutional amendment by the public in 2018. At the time, Cam Ward was a State Senator who voted for that law. Today Cam and his wife, Lindsey Ward, share their experience with IVF and their feelings on the ruling that put access to children in jeopardy for people across the state.
Producer: John Hammontree
Editor: Amanda Khorramabadi
Videographer: Dawson Estes, Amanda Khorramabadi