Ob Gyns Warn: Without Access to Abortion Care, Essential Women’s Healthcare Is at Risk
Obstetricians and gynaecologists emphasise that removing abortion access disrupts more than one service—it dismantles comprehensive reproductive healthcare.
Why Abortion Care Is Essential
- Abortion overlaps with miscarriage care and early-pregnancy emergencies—it's not optional medical support.
- Restricting it drives ob‑gyns away, undermining essential services like prenatal and emergency care.
Training & Provider Shortages
- More than half of ob‑gyns in ban states report losing clinical autonomy post-Dobbs.
- Residency applications dropped ~4% in restricted regions, far exceeding the 0.6% drop in non-ban areas.
Standard of Care at Risk
- Lack of abortion training means ob‑gyns can’t manage miscarriage or ectopic pregnancies effectively.
- Many doctors are leaving restricted zones—creating "maternity care deserts".
- Patients face longer waits and reduced access to screening and prenatal checkups.
A Global Concern
- Globally, 45% of annual abortions (out of 55 million) are unsafe where access is restricted.
- In countries with legal abortion, low provider participation and stigma still limit access.
- Global organisations like FIGO and ACOG emphasise abortion as fundamental health care.
Ob‑Gyn Recommendations
- Repeal bans and restore abortion training nationwide.
- Expand care delivery to family and internal medicine providers.
- Protect and destigmatise providers by ensuring legal safeguards.
FAQs
Q: Is abortion really essential care?
Yes—it's medical care that overlaps with miscarriage management and pregnancy emergencies.
Q: Do abortion bans affect other services?
Absolutely—they cause practitioners to withdraw from pregnancy care entirely.
Q: Can training be moved out of ban areas?
Some programmes relocate trainees, but it's a costly workaround, not a sustainable solution.
Q: What is ACOG’s position?
They advocate for overturning bans, reinstating training, and safeguarding provider rights.
Q: How can I help?
Support reproductive justice organisations, vote for healthcare rights, and donate to clinics.
Internal Links
Also Worth Reading
Final Thought
Ob‑gyns warn that limiting abortion access doesn’t just remove choice—it dismantles entire systems of care for women. To protect maternal health, we must restore legal rights, rebuild training pathways and support providers comprehensively.