Ep 6. State of the Uterus

As the sixth season of "Orange is the New Black" progresses, tensions continue to rise within Litchfield Penitentiary as the inmates and staff grapple with the aftermath of the riot that took place in the previous season. Episode 6, titled "State of the Uterus", focuses heavily on the female inmates and their reproductive health.

In the episode, we see the women of Litchfield beginning to take control of their own bodies and reproductive health. Gloria, who has been struggling to deal with her unplanned pregnancy, finally decides to terminate it with the help of the prison's healthcare provider. This decision causes her to reflect on the choices she's made as a mother and as a prison inmate, and she begins to question whether or not she made the right choice by staying in jail and leaving her children behind on the outside.

Meanwhile, we also see Taystee trying to confront her own fertility issues. She confides in Cindy that she hasn't had her period in months and is afraid that she might be infertile. Cindy encourages her to speak to the doctor, but Taystee is hesitant and understandably worried about the potential cost of any medical treatment. As always, the harsh realities of life in prison are forefront in this episode.

Other women in Litchfield follow in similar pursuits. Blanca, who is also pregnant, is worried about the potential harm that the prison environment could have on her unborn child. She tries to voice her concerns to the prison staff, only to be completely ignored. After a particularly intense altercation with the guards, she is taken to medical for a routine checkup. During this visit, she is informed that she has a vaginal infection that could be potentially dangerous to her and her baby's health. This revelation moves her to continue her fight for better conditions within the prison.

All of these storylines dealing with reproductive health shed light on a number of important issues facing incarcerated women. Lack of access to proper healthcare is just one aspect of the many injustices faced by these women, and "State of the Uterus" does an excellent job of highlighting the challenges that they face on a daily basis. The episode is a reminder that there are still many barriers to justice for women in prison, and that these women are often left to deal with difficult and sometimes life-threatening issues on their own.

Overall, "State of the Uterus" is a poignant and thought-provoking episode that examines the complexities of reproductive health within the context of incarceration. It's a reminder that even in the bleakest of settings, women always have the power to fight for their own rights and make their voices heard.