Study Reveals Pregnant Patients Died Due to Abortion Bans: Doctors’ Accounts

The Impact of Abortion Bans: Doctors Share Stories of Preventable Deaths

In a groundbreaking new study published in the medical journal Chest, doctors practicing in states with strict abortion bans have come forward to share heartbreaking stories of pregnant patients who died, despite the possibility of being saved with abortion care. The study, led by researcher Katrina Hauschildt at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, sheds light on the devastating consequences of abortion restrictions on patients with critical illnesses, outside the realm of obstetrics and gynecology.

The interviews conducted with over two dozen pulmonary and critical care physicians in 15 states with abortion bans revealed a pattern of restricted and delayed treatment for pregnant patients. Doctors expressed fear of legal repercussions and moral distress, leading to a reluctance to discuss abortion as an option, even when it could have potentially saved lives.

One doctor recounted the tragic case of a pregnant patient with a congenital heart defect whose condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to respiratory failure. Despite the possibility of preventing the progression of her life-threatening disease with an abortion, the option was never discussed, ultimately resulting in a premature C-section and a heartbreaking outcome.

The study also highlighted disparities in access to care, with marginalized populations facing additional barriers to obtaining out-of-state abortion care. Doctors reported feeling uncertain about their institutions’ support in the face of legal scrutiny, raising concerns about the impact of abortion bans on medical practice and patient outcomes.

Dr. Caitlin Bernard, an obstetrician-gynecologist and reproductive rights activist, emphasized the urgent need to address the harmful effects of abortion bans on pregnant individuals. She called attention to the daily injuries and deaths that go uncounted and unreported, underscoring the urgent need for policy change to ensure access to safe and timely abortion care.

As the debate over abortion rights continues to unfold, the stories shared by these doctors serve as a powerful reminder of the human cost of restrictive policies. The study’s findings call for a reevaluation of current laws and a renewed commitment to protecting the health and well-being of all patients, regardless of where they live.