Pregnancy Experts Warn, Restricting Access to Abortion Care Harms Women and Families

June 24, 2022, Washington, DC – The Society for Maternal-Fetal (SMFM) released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, a case in which the State of Mississippi asked the Supreme Court to uphold its 15- week abortion ban and overturn Roe v. Wade.

“Abortion is essential health care, and reproductive freedom is an essential human right. Decisions about all health care, including abortion, are best made by an individual with support from the healthcare team.

Today’s ruling from the Supreme Court allows Mississippi to enforce its harmful 15-week ban on abortion and opens the door for states to further restrict and ban abortion care. This decision is unconscionable, violates individual freedom and human rights, and will worsen morbidity and mortality rates among birthing people, which already are disproportionately higher in the United States than in other high-income countries. Moreover, its effects will fall disproportionately on those who are most marginalized, and only worsen disparities and inequities.

SMFM supports the right of all individuals to access the full spectrum of reproductive health services, including abortion care. As experts in caring for people with high-risk pregnancies, SMFM members observe first-hand the detrimental and inequitable effects of restrictions and bans that limit access to abortion and other fundamental reproductive health services.

SMFM encourages state policymakers to protect access to safe and necessary abortion care and will continue to advocate for equitable access to abortion care.”