Harmonie Perrone, 28, knew she was likely experiencing an ectopic pregnancy and understood the urgency: seek immediate medical care to prevent life-threatening complications. However, she claims she was denied care twice, resulting in the loss of her fertility, according to a lawsuit filed Monday.
This occurred in Illinois, a state known for protecting reproductive rights and requiring emergency care regardless of religious beliefs. “What is so shocking about her situation is that it happened in a state where abortion is supposed to be among the most protected,” said Molly Duane, litigation director of Amplify Legal, which is involved in the case.
Denied Care at Advocate Good Shepherd
When Perrone experienced pain and bleeding, she suspected another ectopic pregnancy. She had previously lost her right fallopian tube to an ectopic pregnancy but saved her left tube with methotrexate. The third time, she knew immediate action was critical. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends administering methotrexate as soon as possible.
At Advocate Good Shepherd, she underwent ultrasounds that detected a mass on her left fallopian tube. Despite her pleas, she was sent home with an appointment the next day at a med spa, where she was again denied care. Dr. Dympna Coll allegedly refused to administer methotrexate, stating, “We have to weigh out the life of the mother and the baby, and there’s a 1% chance that there is a baby in there.” When Perrone cited Illinois abortion rights, the doctor replied, “You’re not going to bully me into doing this.”
Delayed Treatment and Rupture
Perrone eventually received methotrexate at another hospital more than 24 hours after first seeking care. Six days later, she experienced intense pain and underwent surgery, during which her fallopian tube ruptured. “That was the end of my fertility,” she said. She believes earlier treatment could have saved her tube.
Legal and Personal Fallout
The lawsuit includes a federal complaint that the hospital violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. Illinois law explicitly requires stabilizing care for ectopic pregnancy. “A hospital has to screen the patient and either stabilize them or transfer them,” said Allison Siebeneck of the ACLU of Illinois.
Perrone shared her story on TikTok, which went viral. Dr. Coll then sued her for defamation. “Not only has she lost her ability to have children without IVF, but she’s now being sued for speaking out,” Duane said.
Perrone is hesitant about IVF due to cost and potential disappointment. She feels the strain on her relationship with her husband. “He wants to have a family with me, and I can’t give him that,” she said.
Broader Implications
Illinois is considered a haven for reproductive rights, but Siebeneck noted that care can depend on which hospital a patient visits. “We don’t want people to be deterred or to be afraid that they cannot access this care because of stories like this one,” she said.
