Throughline Before Roe: The Physicians' Crusade
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May 19, 2022 
In this insightful discussion, historian Leslie Regan sheds light on the evolution of abortion practices in early America. She reveals how, initially, abortion was widely accepted until the mid-1800s, when a group of male physicians, led by Horatio Storer, worked to criminalize it, intertwining morality with racial fears. Regan also addresses the transition from midwives to male doctors in childbirth, and the profound impacts of women's rights activism leading up to the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. It's a captivating look at a pivotal moment in reproductive history.
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Madame Restelle's Death
- Madame Restelle, a well-known abortion provider, was found dead in 1878.
- Her death shocked the nation and sparked debate about abortion.
Early American Abortion Laws
- Abortion was legal under common law in early America.
- It wasn't criminalized until the late 19th century, contrary to popular belief.
Horatio Storer's Background
- Horatio Storer, a doctor, studied embryology and became fascinated by reproduction.
- This led him to medical school and specializing in obstetrics, a then-modernizing field.
