Georgia House Representative Bobby Franklin has proposed a bill that would not only ban abortion, but also require an investigation into all miscarriages to determine whether the loss of the pregnancy was spontaneous or caused intentionally. All miscarriages would require a fetal death certificate and if the investigation can not establish a cause, the woman could face felony charges for the murder or abuse of 'fetal citizens' and her doctor would lose his medical license. 

Regardless of one's position on abortion, the fact remains that most miscarriages occur early in a pregnancy and often have no discernible cause. Nearly one in five known pregnancies ends in a miscarriage, and an estimated half of all fertilized eggs are miscarried before a woman even knows that she is pregnant. Often, the cause is a chromosomal abnormality that makes the embryo unviable, but something as simple as hormone imbalance or infection can cause it as well. Essentially, it is impossible to determine the exact cause of most spontaneous abortions, and it is a terrible idea to traumatize vulnerable women who are most likely grieving over the loss of a potential child. 

Interrogating and threatening women who miscarry is reprehensible and could adversely affect the health of pregnant women and the development of babies that are not miscarried. Mothers may be afraid to get prenatal care for fear of incarceration in case of spontaneous abortion. Women who miscarry at home may not seek out the proper follow-up treatment and may develop the possible permanent or life-threatening complications of an untreated incomplete or infected miscarriage.

Please, let the Georgia legislators know that regardless of your views on abortion, you do not support the harassment of women who have had miscarriages, nor do you support the interrogation of and threats against their doctors and loved ones.