She was 15 weeks pregnant, then she was faced with a potentially life-threatening complication

Anya Cook and her husband were finally pregnant after years of fertility issues. But after 15 weeks, she experienced a potentially life-threatening complication and describes the harrowing maternal care experience in Florida.
“On the Brink,” featuring reporting from ABC News’ Diane Sawyer and Rachel Scott, is the latest episode of “IMPACT” by Nightline and is available for streaming starting Thursday, Dec. 14, exclusively on Hulu.
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#healthcare #impact #nightline #onthebrink #abcnews

[@violetvalkyrie476]

This is exactly why states shouldn't be interfering in a person's personal medical decisions.

[@gab4690]

Unless it's an experimental vaccine right?

[@meahdahlgren5875]

Right

[@jesusismysavior4985]

Abortion is only a medical decision when it’s done to prevent a health risk such as this. Most abortions are not done for that purpose.

[@karenwhite4453]

​@@jesusismysavior4985So what? A woman should be able to have an abortion for whatever reason she wants, not what you or anyone else wants

[@jesusismysavior4985]

@@karenwhite4453 So a woman should be able to kill her innocent baby just because she doesn’t want them? What kind of civilized society would ever think that? Reminds me of the societies that practiced child sacrifice.

[@bombaybeach208]

I am ashamed of America.

[@user-wn3lj4le3u]

I am, too. But not ALL of it. We’ve become narcotized techno mannerless zombies - people are hurting each other. I’m glad I’m 64 … not 24.

[@gab4690]

Thank a Democrat

[@jesusismysavior4985]

Why? Blame the negligent doctors here. This was medical malpractice.

[@urbanphoenix09]

@@gab4690what does that have to do with this law?

[@ChloeMMorgan]

​@@closrod335couldn't agree more. I'll help her pack too. Anyone who's ashamed of America needs to leave!

[@TheCami38]

These states need to do what Ohio did and put the power back in the people and not lawmakers. If not get ready for some funerals so sad.

[@msfranklin2650]

AFTERNOON.....EXACTLY I JUST MADE THE COMMENT ABT MY STATE JUST DIDN'T SAY WHERE LOL. BUT YES WE CAME OUT & VOTED ALTHOUGH MY CHILDREN ARE ALL GROWN IT'S STILL THE CHOICE OF US WOMEN TO DO AS WE PLEASE W/ OUR BOBIES. I'M PRO CHOICE JUST DON'T USE IT AS A FORM OF BC THAT'S ALL. HAPPY HOLIDAYS & BE SAFE

[@jlv3x]

Republican states are fighting to keep the choice of the ballot because they know that people regardless of party will vote YES for a woman's right to choose. Especially after Ohio and Kansas did in huge numbers.

[@Musickt196]

I am so, so proud to be an Ohioan. We recognized what was happening and restored abortion rights in our constitution. THANK YOU, OHIO!

[@MiniM69]

Good lord. What are we doing here. Is this what we want to allow? The needless pain and suffering of someone whose pregnancy isn’t viable! Why!?!

[@MusicLeeSarah]

Exactly and not only is it all of those things that is going on we're also risking the lives of the mothers to the point where doctors are being forced by lawmakers to go against their oath to do no harm not to mention none of this is okay when it comes to the decisions doctors have to make as well.

[@LisaMichele]

People don't see women as human

[@josephplayspickleball]

It's the doctors fault for not helping her immediately.

[@coralrue]

@@josephplayspickleball Medical care was delayed because there wasn’t enough “proof” that the woman’s life was in danger for the ethics board. It has nothing to do with the doctor.

[@josephplayspickleball]

@@coralrue what ethics board? It's ultimately the doctors decision.

[@f-luva-luva]

For those who voted for the politicians who ushered in these laws or didn't vote at all, you're getting what you asked for.

[@ericbrosofske6733]

Ever heard of selective service registration?

[@9290SC]

Ignorance is bliss!! If your pregnancy is considered "high risk", there's literally no medical neccesity to abort that baby.... just ask any OB/GYN. The abortion does not save her life. What happens is expecting mother is often times placed on bed rest. Or, she is induced and does not go full term. Baby is delivered early......... There's literally not one medical condition where an abortion is required! This is what you call fear mongering!! Those who are ignorant will eat it up.

[@emem2863]

This is why voting matters. This woman should not have had to experience this.

[@MusicLeeSarah]

And the doctors should not be forced to go against their better judgment and their expertise knowledge and experience and their oath to do no harm but yet they are forced literally forced to do that by penalty of criminal charges and loss of medical license none of this is okay

[@emem2863]

@Gurovski And the majority can vote to change this. They can stop voting in politicians who think this is okay. They can also show up and vote in non-presidential elections. So many people, especially voters in red states, tend to not be aware of what these policies mean for real people. I live in Texas, and so many people who voted for anti-abortion politicians were surprised about how these policies negatively impacted them.

[@Tri.dawg1]

This why I’m pro abortion man I refuse to stay in Florida with that crazy governor and rules

[@closrod335]

I’m sure that’s how the nazis thought..

[@jesusismysavior4985]

Pro abortion is the same thing as supporting murder.

[@Tri.dawg1]

@@jesusismysavior4985 no tf it’s not y’all save the babies over the mom needs help and leave women alone with they own choices

[@Tri.dawg1]

@@closrod335 you make no sense so your diss miss

[@karenwhite4453]

​@@Tri.dawg1diss miss LMAO

[@PBWK]

Why won't it air on regular cable or just about everywhere? This is more important than celebrities dancing or showing off their lavish lives on reality shows or shows about zombies and sex starved teens.

[@kathyrama4570]

Her problem was Dr. DeSantis knows more than Doctors and really doesn't give a damn about women. This is no longer the America that we all grew up with. Even before Roe a Medical Professional had the right to make decisions and perform necessary treatment. This is NOT right.

[@jesusismysavior4985]

The healthcare professionals still had that right. This woman’s case would have qualified for an abortion exception under Florida’s laws. This was a case of medical malpractice that ABC News is trying to spin as being the fault of the law.

[@MusicLeeSarah]

FACTS!!!! Say it louder the people in the back. THIS IS NOT RIGHT!!!

[@user-wn3lj4le3u]

Can’t say anything but that’s horrible … criminal … to select death of a mother AND the contents of her womb. That’s horrifying.

[@ZacharyShank]

“contents” It’s a baby, stop dehumanizing.

[@amirhines8543]

That's funny i just saw her alive in that interview 🤔

[@MusicLeeSarah]

And it's it is terrifying and not okay the doctors are forced to do that

[@MusicLeeSarah]

​@@ZacharyShankno technically it is not technically it is a fetus. It's not dehumanizing to call it by its scientific term, fetus. One could also call it an inner uterine pregnancy therefore making contents of the womb an accurate description.

[@suelynrogers]

​@@ZacharyShankNot baby after it has died or is dying.

[@margo3367]

Very powerful, very heartbreaking. Why have we allowed non-medical professionals - politicians - into our doctors’ offices, into our relationships between husbands and wives? It’s insanity.

[@kathywho1]

But, she didn't die within the next 3 days. What was the pregnancy out come? Where's the end of the story?

[@shaun5047]

She had the fetus at the saloon’s bathroom, then was rushed to the hospital by the paramedics. After some back and forth she was treated and obviously lived. Lol I’m sorry but am I the only one that thinks it’s dumb she went to her hair appointment instead of staying as close to the hospital as possible. They clearly told her she wasn’t in a life threatening condition yet but it could potentially happen. Which at that point the doctors could actually treat/save her. She’s extremely lucky she made it there in time.

[@katharyndavidson1188]

Anti abortion laws are killing women and if they survive destroy their fertility I bet if those legislators were faced with those complications they would flee the state

[@jenniferfrazierlpc7171]

Right. I don’t understand this logic at ALL!!

[@lhv569]

If women do not step up and stand up, we are all lost.

[@troykennedy7712]

This is criminal behavior by the state. They put her in danger. Doctors should be held liable as well. They should defy the law and save lives.

[@calijguyman]

And if they do, they should be thrown in jail. After all, the law is the law, at least that's how people justify our government locking me in a cage like a wild animal and ruining my life over marijuana possession...

[@shaun5047]

Lol Doctors should defy the law and save lives? Sorry do you realize how ridiculous that sounds? If anyone is to blame it’s the lawmakers and that’s it. Expecting doctors to throw their lives away is a crazy concept.

[@shaun5047]

@@calijguymanit must be a trip seeing all the weed shops now a days I bet. I look back at my younger years where the concept of someone owning a grow house was crazy. Now about 5 years ago my cousin started up his own grow operation with a friend and they’re very open about it.

[@noreenburkett7800]

Remember this on voting day!!!

[@Megatron-sl5us]

I love Diane Sawyer! So glad she did another TV special.

[@VABee59]

Why aren’t we being shown what happened to her? She’s alive. So, what happened and why are you just showing the beginning not the end result. Because you want to scare people?

[@EdKazO-Vision]

This issue will mark the end of the GOP.

[@jesusismysavior4985]

No it will not. It will eventually hurt the Democrats though, as abortion is as much a human rights abuse as slavery was, and it will get outlawed someday.

[@---Tre---]

One can only hope!

[@calijguyman]

​@@---Tre---yep, then the dems can debt us into oblivion...both sides suck

[@mandogrogurescuedogs]

Part 2?

[@meditationmindbodysoulmusi1195]

Where Is the follow up??

[@calijguyman]

Sooooo.....did she die?

[@jlv3x]

Politicians and judges should not be allowed to have this kind of control over citizens health. They are not doctors, taking away a woman's right over her own body should be unconstitutional because it is definitely inhumane!!!!¡

[@ashleymarie6682]

This is ridiculous!!! Standard of care is immediate IV antibiotics and bedrest. Watchful waiting. This is making me sick. Before Dobbs this happened to me and i was put on IV antibiotics to wait. Why now after dobbs are these women sent home to get septic????!!! I do understand why the hospitals arent at least trying!!!

[@latashabreal9077]

Im interested in knowing how everything was physically resolved in this situation. Call me slow but i just don't understand. Did it have to get worse before she could receive care she should have already been receiving???😢

[@kingstonstreet3726]

I rather pay them high taxes

[@sophietierney-jf6el]

this poor woman and her husband we live in the twenty first century where the medical care is for pregnancy that don’t survive and abortions if women need them but some states don’t allow it so women have to go to other countries and states to get what they need and it’s not right with out treatment women are at high risk of dying bleeding or infection that could leave in able to have more children later on the law has to change women have the right to choose and for medical care not to be turned away and say good luck 😡😠🤔🤬🤨🛑✋🧾 and the lady who lost her baby I’m sorry my condolences 🌹💐🌷👼

[@MusicLeeSarah]

This is heartbreaking and I am so sorry they had to go through this. none of it was okay. Doctors are being forced to go against their hypocritical oath to do no harm or face criminal charges. By the doctor discharging her he was potentially putting her in grave danger but I can't blame the doctor because the laws have criminalized doctors following their oath to do no harm. Until every lawmaker that votes on these kinds of laws has a doctorate in medicine they need to stay out of this. No 1 realizes that not only is this not okay and not fair to the woman it is also not okay and not fair to the doctors especially especially especially because the laws are so vague they don't constitute when a woman's life is in danger there's too much of a gray area there so the doctors are forced to err on the side of caution as they do not face losing their medical license and being criminally charged. This is not fair this is not okay and if it keeps up soon there's not going to be any doctors practicing obstetrics and gynecology. Let me remind everyone that no one want an abortion especially if it is a wanted pregnancy they don't want their child to have a congenital or fatal fetal abnormality so severe that the most humane and best option for all involved is termination. No doctor wants to tell their patients that termination is the best thing or sometimes the only thing that's going to save a mother's life. No one wants to be in a position or termination is their only option. No one wants an abortion.

[@IAMTHECHEYBABY]

my heart goes out to you.

[@wlcoston]

The is so so sad

[@Happy_HIbiscus]

😥😥😥😥

[@chrisoneill3999]

Republicans hate women. Which is fair. Women hate Republicans.

[@jesusismysavior4985]

That’s a stupid straw man argument.

[@MiniM69]

Not white women! More than 60 percent voted for Trump in the last election.

[@AB-qv9ku]

Not really so many were thrilled about roe v Wade overturn which is sickening

[@calijguyman]

And dems hate the middle class

[@superfundogs7566]

DO NOT VOTE REPUBLICAN... VOTE DEMOCRATE TO KEEP YOUR RGHTS PLEASE.

[@anniejuan1817]

Vote Blue for Rights. Vote Red for Wrongs.

[@gab4690]

You people are the perfect example of vote blue no matter who because Trump bad

[@msfranklin2650]

EXACTLY....THEY'RE WEIRD ANYWAY & ARE INTO WAY MORE BS

[@tuprincipe]

All of these stories sound like a precursor to that movie with Clive Owen called “Children of Men” where all women eventually stopped being able to have babies so new generations were not being created. Something is happening to women everywhere

[@plantbasedsenior4240]

Nothing is happening to women everywhere. Miscarriages or fetal death happen a lot more than people realize. You just never heard as much about it because women were able to get medical treatment right away. With the laws changing and where you have to prove the mother's life is in immediate danger, you are going to hear about more stories like this. I found out at 17 weeks (at monthly appointment) that my baby had died at 13 weeks. I had an inkling something was wrong when I went in. I did not have a miscarriage and had to have a D&C. This was many years ago. I am thankful I didn't have to wait until it happened naturally which may have caused other health issues.

[@tuprincipe]

@@plantbasedsenior4240 wow look at you

[@meganbearz]

Brutal

[@Latina-Texan]

What if doctors are not always right?

[@MusicLeeSarah]

Tell me this... who is more likely to be right? a doctor who is educated in and practicing medicine or a politician with no medical degree no training whatsoever and no experience in practicing medicine? Medicine is not a precise science sometimes doctors get it wrong but they use the knowledge they have and the resources available to them and they make the best decision based on both their experience and their expert knowledge. The next time you go into the emergency room for let's say a broken bone or you are in a car accident you may have internal bleeding would you want a doctor treating you or a politician? Next time god forbid you have to have surgery you want a surgeon coming in and telling you what they think is best and what procedure is going to be best to treat you or do you want a congressman preparing to do your surgery? Doctors are being forced to go against their better judgment and wait until these women's lives are to the point where they can't always be brought back. That is terrifying not only for the women but for the doctors as well. But the lawmakers have decided that they can play god when they have no experience and no knowledge of medicine whatsoever but yet they decided they will dictate what decisions doctors make so next time you or a loved 1 are in the emergency room needing emergency treatment you tell me if you a politician working on you or a doctor.

[@Latina-Texan]

@@MusicLeeSarah it's called PRACTICING Medicine for a reason lol

[@Latina-Texan]

@sarahhirshlee You Are Right. A person's life should always come 1st.......especially if it's a babies life

[@Hollyucinogen]

I mean, doctors aren't always right, but they're sure as f*ck right more often about medicine and medical practices than politicians are. 😒

[@esmysyield2023]

If you dont trust God then you dont have options.

[@dave23024]

"I knew I would die..." says the living, breathing woman.

[@gurennaruto2887]

She could have if she never arrive to the hospital in time my sister die the same way because she was 2 minutes late in getting to the hospital in time.

[@dave23024]

@gurennaruto2887 Great, then push to pass laws that allow women in imminent danger of death to have abortions. But that's not what they're going for, now is it? They're pushing for abortions to be handed out like birth control, then using these rare, obscure examples to fall back on. We know what's going to happen. Twenty years from now, all these women will claim they were lied to, and backtrack their whole argument.

[@Merbella]

I've been there, it's the scariest feeling in the world 😢

[@dave23024]

@@Merbella Doctors make their money by getting patients to believe they're going to die without them.

[@ShowMeSomething1]

⁠@@dave23024Well billions more people have lived WITH doctors 🤷‍♀️

[@loidarosa1266]

Not saying this womens feelings and fears are not valid. But her diagnosis is not necessarily a death sentence. Although i don't know the details and everyone is different. But my water broke at 19 weeks and i carried baby to 37 weeks. I have a healthy 10 month old now. Would be curious to know the details on her case specifically. Like did baby survive? What ended up happening?

[@ga6589]

How is it reasonable to have politicians play doctor? Do they get to decide the level of risk or how close a woman must be to death in order to get an abortion? These bans are absurd. Here's the deal: What's going on in red states is government mandated forced-birth. Abortion bans place women, by accident of their biology, in permanently and irrevocably subordinate positions to the unborn. It gives an embryo or fetus a right no other born and breathing person has- a right to force someone else to use their body to keep it alive. This is a clear violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amend., right to privacy, and discrimination based on sex. The Constitution doesn't mention the unborn at all, let alone grant them any rights and abortion is not included in federal homicide statutes- hence, it is not murder.

[@MusicLeeSarah]

They may not disclose the answers to your question but I am curious to see how this turned out as well. I posed this question to you and it is an honest question when your water broke at 19 weeks what did your doctor recommend did you seek a 2nd opinion and if so what did they recommend? And I recommend I mean what were all of the options that were given to you?

[@calijguyman]

I think it's safe to assume that everything worked out, which is why they won't show it, because it doesn't support their narrative

[@shaun5047]

I also agree that her feelings and fears were valid but I found it odd that she spoke about the situation like they literally told her she would die. For sure it would be scary either way but the potential vs a death sentence are very different situations. Lol I’m sorry but I chuckled when she said she went to her hair appointment. If a doctor told me things could go bad and end in death then I’d want to be close as possible to the hospital. It could literally save me and my baby.

[@ga6589]

@@calijguyman So, compromising a woman's life is okay with you as long as she doesn't die? It sounds like you've got a narrative of your own going on, one that supports forcing pregnant women to give birth. Abortion bans are unconstitutional, as the Constitution doesn't mention the unborn at all, let alone grant a fertilized egg, embryo or fetus any rights.

[@FentanylFloyd]

All black women should have the right to choose Now the right to choose Tomorrow the right to choose Forever-- joey 😉

[@closrod335]

Just black women ? What about the female black child that is not born yet ?

[@FentanylFloyd]

@@closrod335 snowbunnies included

[@PrincessCashmonie]

Why is she telling me?

[@Linnz]

C'mon, Pro-Lifers!! SHOW YOUR DAMN FACES.

[@josephplayspickleball]

This is clearly on the doctors if they don't treat her. Florida law is clear that you can perform an induction to protect the life and physical health of the mother. Even Texas put it into law that Premature Rupture of Membranes constitutes grounds for induction and doctors cannot be liable for that. Seems clear this is on the doctors. Also, she turned out fine

[@urbanphoenix09]

I wonder if she went out of state for the procedure or something

[@MusicLeeSarah]

That's the problem see that is the problem there's so much gray area on at what point is a woman's life in danger and that's exactly what this was about because she wasn't knocking on death's door they couldn't perform the procedure. The doctors are forced to go against everything they know all of their experience and their hippocratical oath to do no harm. If they don't then they're facing the criminal charges and the loss of their medical license. The laws are way too vague there's too much gray area they are way too vague this is not fair this is not fair to women this is not fair to doctors

[@shaun5047]

@@MusicLeeSaraheverything the op commented implies this situation wasn’t vague or a gray area. If FL has those notes specifically added into the law then the Dr was in the clear to perform the necessary steps. How close she was to death would be irrelevant.

[@tss9886]

These laws are so vague that doctors are afraid they will be imprisoned fir providing care. This is intentional.

[@josephplayspickleball]

@@tss9886 the laws seem clear to me. The doctor has to make a reasonable decision that the life or substantial health is at risk. If not, you shouldn't be getting an abortion for convenience. The state specifically wants doctors to decide. Not judges. I think it's only "ambiguous" because people are trying to get abortions under pretences that are not truly life threatening.

[@blast4me754]

That's a big gal and that itself doesn't help.

[@hickoryhall7789]

LOL she was so sick she went to her hair appt...I can't even take this seriously.

[@hickoryhall7789]

I can with complete confidence tell you that if my life and the life of my unborn baby was at risk the very last thing on my mind would be my hair. It's like a SNL skit. @elcheapoguzman

[@Tarod5]

“I didn’t want my mom to have to worry about getting my locs done or having a mortuary take care of it because I knew I would die within the next two to three days.”

[@hickoryhall7789]

@@Tarod5 the story gets better. She not only went to the hair appt, but delivered the baby in the salon bathroom and was rushed to the hospital. You can't make this stuff up.....priorities of some people baffle me.

[@buttersmoothe2002]

So you missed the why then.....oh ok!

[@buttersmoothe2002]

​@hickoryhall7789 dead right? Ok

[@anchmcle]

Don't get it. You feel that times ticking, instead of getting your hair done, cause that isn't the important thing..right?? Do like the would be heroine in texas and go to the state that will do what you want. Anyone who pperforms an abortion outside of the law is guilty of breaking the law. Let's adult, lets be real, you are not going to change the law in a couple of days, so figure out your priorities rather than what you think is fair. Its getting tired. People are using these Innocent babies to get sympathy. I feel for her and I don't condone abortion, but you can't be the hero you wanna be.

[@lizabetx483]

What happens when all states ban abortion even for medical reasons. Will the ladies have to fly to a foreign country?

[@madlie2452]

What did you want her to do? She only got her hair done because she didn’t want her mother to have to focus on anything but grieving her daughter. Stop trivializing her reasoning. Plus Florida and Texas have put laws in place where you can sue a person or their doctors if you know they got/performed an abortion out of state. Please get a grip.

[@MoneyMan28]

5 miscarriages is a sign, condom

[@MartianInDisguise]

she WANTED a baby. she was actively trying with IVF. did you not listen to the whole video?

[@Ehiggins39]

If her water broke at 15 weeks she should have given birth then went home.Like she isnt dead nor is the baby.Like if she didnt want ro be pregnant should have used protection

[@buttersmoothe2002]

1 comprehension is key. 2 story says after years of infertility, she and her husband were finally pregnant and celebrating. 3 her water broke at 15 wks. I'm no MD but most babies delivered @ 15 won't survive outside. 4. A dead fetus inside the womb with no fluid can lead to a deadly infection for the mother! Are you clear now 🙄

[@Anti_Social_Yoyo90]

@@buttersmoothe2002thankyou because some people just rude and disrespectful af missing the whole point she’s trying to make 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@---Tre---]

Who beat you when you were a child? Why do you have so much animus for someone you do not know?

[@madlie2452]

Do you think it’s normal or possible to have an uncomplicated birth at 15 weeks? Do you even know how early in a pregnancy that is? Do you realize how dangerous that is?

[@cindaanderson8655]

Literally WHO CARES! This should not be public knowledge or discussed in public!! Keep your private issue PRIVATE!!

[@madlie2452]

This is not a private issue when there are being laws put in place that prevent people from making decisions in situations like theirs. Get some comprehension skills, this is all for a purpose.