Abortion Restrictions Linked to Higher Maternal Deaths
A new analysis reports that restrictive abortion policies are empirically associated with higher maternal mortality rates in the United States. The research indicates that the risk of death from pregnancy-related causes increases significantly after states implement stringent abortion laws. This finding adds to evidence that social and policy factors are key determinants of maternal outcomes.
- A 2025 analysis found that mothers in states with abortion bans were nearly twice as likely to die during pregnancy, childbirth, or soon after, compared to mothers in states where abortion is accessible. While maternal mortality fell 21% in states with supportive policies after the *Dobbs* decision, it rose 56% in Texas in the first full year of its ban. - Specific types of laws are associated with higher maternal death rates, including mandated waiting periods, bans on Medicaid funding for abortion, and requirements that only a licensed physician can perform an abortion. States with a licensed physician requirement saw a 51% higher total maternal mortality rate. - States with restrictive abortion policies have fewer maternal care providers, including a 59% lower ratio of certified nurse-midwives to births and a 32% lower ratio of obstetricians to births. This disparity may worsen as some providers are reluctant to practice in states where they could face legal challenges. - Racial disparities in maternal mortality are more pronounced in states with abortion bans. Black mothers living in states with bans are 3.3 times more likely to die than white mothers in those same states; this is an increase from 2.2 times as likely in 2019. - In 2023, the maternal mortality rate in Louisiana (41.9 deaths per 100,000 live births) was more than four times higher than in California (9.5 per 100,000). Louisiana's rate is comparable to that of Mexico, while California's is similar to Canada's. - A study covering 2005 to 2023 found that as the average number of abortion restrictions per state increased from 2.7 to 5.3, the number of states considered "most restrictive" (five or more restrictions) jumped from five to 27. - The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) has formally stated its position that midwives should be recognized as abortion providers, and some midwives already provide medication or aspiration abortions in states where it is legal. The organization is working to expand this authority and incorporate abortion care into its core competencies.
