These days, half of what was the first nonprofit clinic in the nation to house a birthing center and provide abortions is empty.
The clinic is CHOICES—Memphis Center for Reproductive Health and it opened in 1974, in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade ruling.
But now its abortion patient clinical rooms and recovery area are used for storage. The call center room is going unused. Many staff have been let go, and others have had to navigate a new career path.
More than two and a half years after the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, that decision has had a powerful impact.
It’s been daunting for reproductive health professionals. Health workers struggle to determine what is permissible under state law, worrying about medical education and job security in an ever-changing landscape. The complexities have caused some to avoid a career in reproductive health.
Lily Picard is among those who have had to navigate a new career path since Dobbs.
Picard was originally hired three years ago as an abortion doula to support patients during and after procedures at CHOICES. Since the ban took effect, she’s moved to a different department.
Now she helps patients with appointments.
CHOICES still has a birthing center and administers birth control. Those who need abortion care are referred to a branch of the clinic in Carbondale, Ill.
“I still have a hard time and I miss it so much all the time getting to do that work,” said Picard, who volunteers outside of her job to do virtual abortion doula support. “I still get people here that call here just wanting to talk about it.”
It’s not ideal. But she’s grateful there was still a place for her to be involved.
“They just haven’t had room for me up in the midwifery, I guess,” said Picard, who is also certified as a doula for birthing, death and postpartum care.
In September, a federal judge temporarily paused parts of Tennessee’s 2024 law limiting adults from helping minors travel for an abortion out of state. On Oct. 17, a state trial court temporarily paused part of a separate Tennessee law that prohibits providers from performing most abortions. That law specifically excluded mental health emergencies as a justification for emergency abortions.
The uncertainty weighs heavily on Picard.
“If I didn’t have my son, who’s only 5 now, I would absolutely have moved somewhere else,” said Picard.
As the debate over abortion laws continues to rage on, pregnancy centers play a crucial role in providing support and resources to pregnant women facing crisis situations. These centers, often run by anti-abortion groups, offer a range of services aimed at helping women navigate their pregnancies and make informed choices.
One such center is the Memphis Coalition for Life, which uses a continuum of care model to connect pregnant women with various social support resources. Director Susie Lovato emphasizes the importance of addressing the underlying crises that women may be facing, rather than just focusing on the pregnancy itself. By offering services such as mental health counseling, parenting resources, and housing assistance, the coalition seeks to empower women to make positive changes in their lives.
Despite receiving most of their funding from private individuals and churches, the coalition is also a recipient of the Tennessee Strong Families Grant program, which provides resources to nonprofits and pregnancy centers that work with crisis pregnancies. This financial support helps the center continue its important work in the community.
On a national level, lawmakers are increasingly showing support for crisis pregnancy centers, with several measures introduced in Congress this year aimed at recognizing and providing funding for these centers. This support highlights the growing importance of pregnancy centers in the ongoing debate over abortion rights.
Meanwhile, the legal requirements for providers and health facilities in obstetric emergencies remain unclear, creating challenges for the future health care workforce. The Supreme Court’s recent decision on emergency abortions in Idaho underscores the ongoing complexity of the issue and the need for clear guidelines and regulations.
As the landscape of reproductive health care continues to evolve, pregnancy centers play a vital role in supporting women and families facing crisis pregnancies. By providing resources, counseling, and support, these centers empower women to make informed decisions about their pregnancies and their futures.
