Alabama Was a Warning: Fertility Law and Politics with Attorney AshLeigh Meyer Dunham

Written By Lora Shahine, MD

AshLeigh Meyer Duhham is one of five reproductive law lawyers in Alabama and the only one who has done IVF. She was front and center when IVF stopped for 3 weeks in early 2024 due to a lawsuit brought by IVF patients in front of the State Supreme Court. On this episode of Baby or Bust, Dr. Shahine asks AsLeigh to explain what happened in Alabama, how treatments restarted, and what the process means for access to IVF in the future.

AsLeigh explains why the way IVF restarted in Alabama is not a permanent solution and what this means for the future of IVF in Alabama and all of the United States. 

Threats, political and legal, against IVF have been all over the news lately. All the controversy and proposed legislation is downright terrifying because for some, IVF may be the best or only option they have to build their families. 

One thing is very clear: people’s right to build their families how and when they choose — and sometimes to build them at all — is under attack. Please share this episode to educate and spread knowledge and awareness. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

[2:35] AshLeigh’s IVF journey

[5:40] Legal context around Alabama’s IVF ban

[15:15] Legal and clinical implications of an IVF ban

[36:55] Ongoing legal challenges

[42:00] Advocacy and legislative efforts

[47:20] Future prospects with reproductive rights

Resources mentioned: 

Find AsLeigh Dunham on IG - @magiccityfertilitylaw and her firm www.magiccityfamilylaw.com

The Case Discussed: LePage v. Center for Reproductive Medicine, P.C.: hlaw.justia.com/cases/alabama/supreme-court/2024/sc-2022-0579.html

doctorsforfertility.com: nonprofit co-founded by Dr. Shahine 

www.fightforalabamafamilies.org

Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations

Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books

Lora Shahine, MD

Dr. Lora Shahine, reproductive endocrinologist at Pacific NW Fertility and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, completed her residency in OBGYN at the University of California in San Francisco and fellowship in reproductive endocrinology at Stanford University. She is dedicated to educating and advocating for increased awareness of infertility, miscarriage, and the impact on environmental toxins on health through an active social media presence, teaching, clinical research, and authoring multiple blogs and books including best selling, ‘Not Broken: An Approachable Guide to Miscarriage and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss.’

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