Arkansas Woman Shares Harrowing Miscarriage Story, Sparking Debate on Abortion Laws

Columnist Gwen Ford Faulkenberry's personal account highlights the nuanced challenges around reproductive healthcare access.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:20am

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In a recent column, Gwen Ford Faulkenberry shared the story of Dr. Emily Waldorf, an Arkansas woman who nearly died after suffering a miscarriage at 17 weeks due to the state's restrictive abortion laws. Faulkenberry's piece sparked a range of responses, from empathy to staunch opposition, as readers grappled with the complex ethical and legal issues surrounding abortion. The column has reignited calls for lawmakers to re-examine Arkansas' policies and ensure women's health and safety are prioritized, even in difficult medical situations.

Why it matters

This story highlights the real-world consequences of Arkansas' abortion laws, which some argue have gone too far in restricting access to reproductive healthcare. The harrowing experience of Dr. Waldorf underscores the need for nuanced, compassionate policies that protect women's lives while also addressing deeply held moral convictions around the sanctity of fetal life.

The details

According to Faulkenberry's column, Dr. Emily Waldorf suffered a miscarriage at 17 weeks and was denied the necessary medical care in Arkansas. She was forced to travel 240 miles across state lines to Kansas to receive treatment and mourn the loss of her child. Faulkenberry's piece has generated a range of responses, from a Southern Baptist minister who acknowledged the need for adjustments to the state's abortion laws, to another reader who argued that supporting abortion is incompatible with Christianity.

  • In last week's column, Faulkenberry shared Dr. Waldorf's story.
  • Dr. Waldorf was denied the medical care she needed in Arkansas and had to travel to Kansas to receive treatment.

The players

Gwen Ford Faulkenberry

An author, teacher, and award-winning columnist from Ozark, Arkansas who is a litigant in a case against LEARNS.

Dr. Emily Waldorf

An Arkansas woman who nearly died after suffering a miscarriage at 17 weeks due to the state's restrictive abortion laws.

Southern Baptist Minister

A reader who acknowledged the need for adjustments to Arkansas' abortion laws, while still opposing abortion.

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What they’re saying

“Being pro-life myself and a Southern Baptist minister, I am against abortion, but I also understand that there are gray areas that need to be addressed in the laws that are out there right now, including Arkansas. I thought your article was well written and well thought out. Thank you for that. I hope that it will stir some of our legislators to rework the law for the situation like Emily found herself in.”

— Southern Baptist Minister

“Jesus lived in the womb as an unborn baby. John leapt in the womb as an unborn baby. We are created in the image of God. Creation is first evident in the womb, so the image of God--the Imago Dei--lives and breathes in the womb. It would require a highly nuanced faith indeed to support the destruction of that image, the killing of that baby in the womb.”

— Reader

What’s next

Lawmakers in Arkansas are expected to review the state's abortion laws in the coming legislative session, with calls for more nuanced policies that protect women's health while also addressing ethical concerns around fetal life.

The takeaway

This story highlights the complex and emotional debate around abortion, with both sides making valid arguments rooted in deeply held moral and religious beliefs. As Arkansas policymakers consider updates to the state's laws, they will need to find a careful balance that respects the sanctity of life while also ensuring women's access to safe, compassionate reproductive healthcare.