N.C. House OK’s bill to prohibit shackling of pregnant inmates RALEIGH (AP) — North Carolina House lawmakers unanimously approved on Monday a bill that would prohibit physical restraints being used on pregnant incarcerated women before, during and after they give birth. The proposal also requires women to be provided sufficient food and dietary supplements during their pregnancy. Rep. Kristin Baker, R-Cabarrus, said she authored the bill in response to a concerned physician who delivered a baby a couple years ago from a woman who was shackled at a hospital and unable to hold the infant as a result. “Very sadly, that baby had passed away,” Baker said. “This physician is certainly not placing blame, but she is saying, ‘Look, there is a way we can prevent this. This doesn’t have to happen again.'”