FAQs

  • “D&C” means “dilation and curettage,” which is a surgical procedure used for some abortions. It is also the procedure used to treat some miscarriages. In states with abortion bans, some doctors hesitate to perform this safe and common procedure because they fear paying fines, losing their licenses, and going to prison.

  • I use the term to signify that most people who can get pregnant use the word “woman” to identify themselves, but some trans or nonbinary people, for example, may not.

    The “+” also signifies the loved ones who suffer when someone is denied an abortion. The corollary is that, in the words of Sarah Schulman, “Abortion is a collective experience.” “[A]long with the one in four American women who have had abortions, the people in their lives and extended communities have also benefited. Abortion is actually a collective experience of autonomy that is good for both individuals and for society. . . . `We had an abortion’ is the appropriate response accompanying an image of the multigenerational, multigender group surrounding an abortion” (The Fantasy and Necessity of Solidarity 60-61).

  • In most cases, the reason is that the events took place in Texas after Senate Bill 8 (a.k.a. SB 8 or the “Texas Heartbeat Bill”) took effect on Sept. 1, 2021. The law effectively negated the right to abortion in Texas nine months before Roe v. Wade was overturned. Here is an overview of the history of abortion legislation in the U.S.

  • Search the National Network of Abortion Funds to help women+ get access to abortion care.

  • Sign up for independent journalist Jessica Valenti’s Substack newsletter Abortion, Every Day or follow Jessica on social media.

    Read more stories of how abortion bans are affecting people’s lives at Abortion in America.

    Browse books and podcasts about abortion, textiles, and craftivism.

  • Yes! If you are interested in hosting a presentation or exhibit of the project, please contact me at underdobbs@proton.me. The project is well-suited for bookstores, historical societies, colleges, galleries, and more. Consider hosting the project in conjunction with fundraising for reproductive rights organizations and abortion funds that help people travel for care. Here are some images of and responses to an exhibit.