Leslie Regan

Leslie Regan, a historian and professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, dives into the history of abortion before Roe v. Wade. She reveals how abortion was once commonplace, facilitated by women and midwives, before a medical crusade shifted that narrative. Discussion topics include the rise and fall of figures like Madame Restell, the male-dominated medical assault on women's reproductive autonomy, and the ethical and racial motivations behind the criminalization of abortion in the 19th century.

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.