Deborah Dorbert GoFundMe raises more than $30,000 after Florida mother forced to carry baby with lethal condition

As of May 20, 2023, a GoFundMe page has raised over $30,000 for Deborah Dorbert, a Florida mother who was forced to carry to term a fetus with a lethal condition. According to the GoFundMe, doctors determined that Deborah Dorbert's child had Potter's Syndrome while still in the womb.

Dorbert requested to terminate the pregnancy, but local doctors denied her the right, as it would go against the State of Florida's 15-week abortion ban. As expected, the child died shortly after they were born.

Trigger warning: This article concerns abortion. Discretion is advised.

The fundraiser, which has significantly exceeded its original $10,750 goal, is aimed at paying for the medical and funeral expenses of the deceased baby.

Dorbert spoke out against the physicians who had declined her request, and cited her case as a primary example of why States such as Florida should reconsider their policies around the termination of pregnancies.

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Deborah Dorbert's account of her experience carrying the child to term

Deborah Dorbert told Washington Post reporters that the early stages of the pregnancy had been promising. She said that she followed all instructions, exercised, and ate well. At 11 months, the fetus appeared to be normal.

However, in November 2022, doctors informed Dorbert that the child would not survive more than 20 minutes after their birth. They explained that the child's kidneys were not functioning properly, and that the baby would not be able to produce the fluids required to survive.

Later that day, a scan showed that the baby's kidneys were virtually undeveloped. Dorbert said that due to the emotional and physical stress of a pregnancy, she did not wish to carry the baby to term while having this knowledge.

She told reporters from MSN:

“That’s what we wanted. The doctors already told me, no matter what, at 24 weeks or full term, the outcome for the baby is going to be the same.”

In a separate interview, she described the harrowing experience of holding the child soon after their birth, despite knowing the baby wouldn't survive.

Dorbert said:

“He gasped for air a couple of times when I held him. I watched my child take his first breath, and I held him as he took his last one.”

The doctors said that they were forced to follow the healthcare bill referred to as 'Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality'. The law bans all abortions after 15 weeks, with only a few exceptions.

A spokesperson for Lakeland Regional Health said that they had no choice in the matter, and that they are forced to abide by State law. Florida physicians who violate the law could face penalties such as fines, the loss of their license, or even prison time.

Dorbert said that due to the experience, she is currently suffering from long-term mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. She told reporters that she will not have another pregnancy.