Know Their Stories
These stories include descriptions of birth trauma, restraints, miscarriage, medical neglect, and family separation. We share them because no one should be forced to give birth without dignity, safety, or appropriate medical care.
“Why won’t you help me?” Pregnant women and babies endure inhumane conditions in jails
NBC News + Bloomberg Law Investigation
Pregnant women in county jails described being ignored while miscarrying, going into labor, or giving birth in unsafe conditions. This investigation helps explain why Campaign 4 Safe Births is working to close legal gaps and extend protections to jails, not only prisons.
CONTENT NOTE:
Pregnancy loss, birth trauma, jail medical neglect, newborn death
I Had a High-Risk Pregnancy in Jail — Then I Gave Birth in Chains
Rebecca Figueroa for The Marshall Project
Rebecca Figueroa was two months pregnant when she was jailed while awaiting trial. During a high-risk pregnancy, she described struggling to access proper nutrition, being shackled during medical transport, and giving birth with one leg still restrained. Her story shows how jail custody can turn pregnancy and childbirth into experiences of fear, surveillance, and avoidable trauma.
CONTENT NOTE:
High-risk pregnancy, birth trauma, shackling during labor, jail medical neglect, family separation
Imagine Giving Birth While Shackled to a Bedpost
MomsRising / National Women’s Law Center
Shawanna Lumsey described being shackled by the ankles during most of her labor while giving birth to her son. Her story shows how restraints can increase pain, limit movement, interfere with medical care, and turn childbirth into an experience of punishment rather than safety.
This story helps explain why Campaign 4 Safe Births is working to end the use of restraints during pregnancy, labor, childbirth, postpartum recovery, and medical transport. No one should have to give birth while chained to a hospital bed.
CONTENT NOTE:
Birth trauma, shackling during labor, and prison medical neglect