Andy & Nicky’s Story
Andy and Nicky, college sweethearts, have been married for 10 years. Both come from large families and always knew they wanted one of their own. When they discovered Nicky was pregnant, they were overjoyed.
“It’s frustrating knowing that a lot of the pain, waiting, and sitting in purgatory in this process was completely avoidable.”
At 12 weeks, the night before a routine appointment, everything changed. Nicky spent the evening in pain before she began bleeding. Unsure of what was happening, Andy rushed her to the emergency room. At the hospital, they were told Nikcy was miscarrying and that they’d lost the baby. But instead of receiving care, they were sent home and told to expect what was described to them as a heavy period.
What followed was far from that. Nicky spent 17 days in constant pain as her body continued having contractions, bleeding heavily and growing weaker by the day. Andy remembers feeling helpless, watching his wife suffer and not understanding why they weren’t being given more support. They returned to doctors again and again, asking for help, but were told to wait.
It wasn’t until Nicky’s condition worsened that she was finally offered a surgical procedure—a D&C—to complete the miscarriage. The relief was immediate. Weeks of labor, pain and distress were completely avoidable.
Looking back, the couple was left with one question: why wasn’t this offered sooner?
In Idaho, a miscarriage is classified as a ‘spontaneous abortion,’ meaning care can fall under the same laws. Because of the state’s abortion ban, doctors face criminalization when providing certain types of care or guidance. For patients like Nicky, that can mean delays, confusion, and prolonged suffering during already devastating moments.
Like many others, Nicky and Andy didn’t realize these laws could affect them until they did. They are sharing their story because they don’t want other families to go through this.
