Informed is empowered — Based in the U.S.? Here’s a guide to your health rights, in 2025
Based in the U.S. right now? We see you and we hear your concerns. Between patchwork state laws, court rulings, and endless headlines, understanding your reproductive rights can feel overwhelming – especially when you’re navigating something as deeply personal as fertility treatment, pregnancy or loss.
We’re here to help you and break down potential worries, topic by topic, connecting you with resources and experts to guide you, plus signposting to legal support, and community care – whenever you are on your journey.
Editor’s note – These recommendations are valid as of July 2025.
Assisted reproduction, IVF & donor conception: What you’re entitled to
Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order to “expand access” to IVF, but it only called for policy recommendations within 90 days — not immediate changes.
We covered the executive order in more detail here, and so far, no real protections or cost reductions have followed. (The White House)
To better support you on your family-building journey, we’ve pulled together helpful resources — including where IVF is covered by insurance.
- Right now, only 22 states have laws around IVF coverage, and the details vary widely. You can explore your state specifics here.
- Are donor eggs part of your IVF journey? Read up on the IVF with donor egg process step by step, and everything to know about IVF with donor eggs over age 40, informed by experts at The Prelude Network, the largest and fastest-growing network of fertility clinics in the US and Canada.
- For more information on sperm donor conception, explore our supportive content in partnership with the experts at California Cryobank, from the complexities of anonymous vs. open donors to how to create a wider support network for your donor-conceived family.
Surrogacy: State-by-State complexities
For a while now, donor conception and surrogacy laws across the U.S. have been inconsistent which can leave many bewildered with how they’re supposed to go about their journey. Some states allow commercial surrogacy, others prohibit it which can make people’s journeys more challenging.
We’ve linked a resource on legal considerations for intended parents and gestational carriers by each state here.
Want to keep learning more about surrogacy? Check out our library of content in partnership with Alcea Surrogacy, an incredible, female-led New York based agency that can help support you and your family on the journey of family building:
Maternal health & pregnancy rights
Maternal health challenges persist, especially for Black, Indigenous, and other marginalized communities facing high mortality rates and unequal care. Legal protections aim to ensure safe, respectful treatment, while reports like CERD and efforts from the Center for Reproductive Rights spotlight systemic issues and advocate for change.
Support programs & resources
If you or someone you know is pregnant or planning pregnancy, these resources offer valuable support and advocacy:
- Black Mamas Matter Alliance: Focused on improving Black maternal health through advocacy and community support.
- HRSA Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health: Works with hospitals to improve care quality and reduce disparities.
- Find a Doula: Doulas provide emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after birth.
- The Ribbon Box: A Doula’s Birth Plan: A guide to creating a birth plan with your doula to help you feel empowered and prepared.
Learn more
Miscarriage & loss
Miscarriage is, for many, a deeply personal, challenging and devastating life event — but in some states, it’s also become legally risky. In Oklahoma and Arkansas, pregnancy loss has been misclassified as abortion, leading to investigations and criminal charges.
As laws grow stricter, more people face legal scrutiny for outcomes beyond their control. Understanding your rights and having support matters more than ever.
Support resources
- March of Dimes: Miscarriage, loss, and grief
- Return to Zero: Hope: Compassionate and holistic support
- Planned Parenthood
- Watch now: What to do after recurrent miscarriage – the tests and treatments to ask about
- SB 848 – Understanding the new California miscarriage leave laws (& terminology)
Contraceptive rights: Access & misinformation
When it comes to birth control, it’s key to know you have control over your own health.
Birth control access varies by state, even though it’s still protected federally. State laws determine things like insurance coverage, parental consent, and whether pharmacists can refuse it. Some states are now restricting emergency contraception and IUDs by falsely linking them to abortion, adding confusion and barriers.
Want to know where your state stands? Check below:
How to protect your access:
- Learn your state’s coverage and consent laws.
- Ask your provider what options are available to you — including over-the-counter methods like condoms and Opill (a daily birth control pill).
- If you’re insured, double-check what your plan covers.
Birth control is essential care — and you have a right to it.
Abortion access: State laws & support options
Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, abortion laws vary widely by state. Some have bans with few exceptions, while others protect access with different gestational limits. Where you live greatly affects your options.
Check your state’s laws here:
Costs & coverage
Abortion can be expensive, with most people paying out-of-pocket. Insurance often doesn’t cover it fully, especially employer plans.
Learn more about costs here:
Legal help is available, too. If you need support or legal advice, the Repro Legal Helpline offers free, confidential help.
Parental leave & workplace rights
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives eligible workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for things like childbirth or adoption. But the U.S. still lacks a national paid leave policy.
The good news? 13 states and D.C. have their own paid family and medical leave programs: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Washington, D.C.
These programs provide partial pay through an insurance system — and some also offer job protection or extra time off. Check your state benefits to see what’s available.
Here are some support programs for you and your family to provide guidance:
LGBTQ+ reproductive rights
For many LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, becoming parents means facing extra hurdles — from legal and insurance barriers to finding affirming care. With growing political pressure on queer and trans rights, knowing your rights and support options matters more than ever.
You and your family deserve clarity, care, and protection. That’s why The Ribbon Box offers resources to support LGBTQ+ people at every stage of family building.
- LGBTQ+ Family Planning Guide
- Gestational Carrier vs. Surrogate: What’s the Difference?
- Surrogacy for LGBTQ+ Parents
Looking for broader specialized support? The Family Equality Council is a national leader in empowering LGBTQ+ families through policy, legal education, and community-building.
No one should feel alone while building a family. Whether you’re exploring fertility options or already navigating parenthood, your identity and your rights deserve to be recognized and protected — every step of the way.
Immigration status & reproductive care access
With the current administration pushing policies that threaten undocumented communities — including efforts to end birthright citizenship and the recent passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill” — many are feeling uncertain, overlooked, and at risk.
If you’re feeling anxious about your own rights and protections, including your loved ones, this is so valid. You deserve to know what you can do to protect yourself and your family.
For healthcare advice and information, we’ve found the following support networks and resources:
The bottom line? You deserve to know your rights
Wherever you are in your journey, remember: your body, your choices — and you deserve care, dignity, and answers.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed:
- Save and share this guide — it’s here to help.
- Ask for support — legal and health experts are out there.
- Find community — you’re not alone.
Because knowing your rights is a powerful first step.
