Pregnancy is often portrayed as a natural and universally safe experience, but the reality is far more complex. While many women can carry a pregnancy without life-threatening complications, others face serious health risks. The overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 has led to increased restrictions on abortion access in various states, further complicating the landscape for maternal healthcare. This post-Roe reality ignores the fact that pregnancy does not impact all women equally and can be particularly dangerous for those with pre-existing health conditions, limited access to care, or who belong to marginalized communities.
Pregnancy is not inherently safe for every woman. Health disparities exist based on socioeconomic status, race, and underlying medical conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over 700 women die each year in the U.S. due to pregnancy-related complications, and many of these deaths are preventable. Black and Indigenous women experience disproportionately high maternal mortality rates compared to white women, a disparity largely driven by systemic healthcare inequities.
Certain medical conditions significantly increase the risks associated with pregnancy. Women with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or autoimmune disorders such as lupus face heightened risks of life-threatening complications, including preeclampsia, stroke, or organ failure. Additionally, conditions like hyperemesis gravidarum (severe morning sickness), placenta previa, or gestational diabetes can make pregnancy highly dangerous even for previously healthy individuals.
For these women, being forced to carry a pregnancy to term due to legal restrictions on abortion can have devastating health consequences. Before Roe was overturned, medical professionals could more freely make decisions based on a patient’s health needs. Now, in many states, doctors must navigate legal gray areas when deciding whether a woman qualifies for a life-saving abortion.
Access to quality maternal healthcare is another key factor in determining pregnancy safety. Many rural communities in the U.S. suffer from hospital closures, particularly in states that have imposed strict abortion bans. A lack of obstetric care, combined with financial barriers to prenatal checkups, means that many high-risk pregnancies go unmanaged, leading to worsened outcomes.
Research also shows that implicit bias in healthcare affects how women, particularly women of color, are treated during pregnancy. Studies indicate that Black women are less likely to have their pain taken seriously by medical professionals, leading to delays in treatment and worse maternal outcomes. A post-Roe world that enforces childbirth without addressing these systemic healthcare issues places vulnerable women at even greater risk.
Beyond the physical risks, pregnancy also has psychological and economic consequences. Postpartum depression affects 10-20% of new mothers, with some experiencing severe mental health crises. Women who become pregnant due to sexual assault, domestic violence, or financial instability may find themselves unable to provide for a child, further exacerbating mental health struggles.
The legal landscape following the fall of Roe does not account for these disparities. Instead, it assumes that pregnancy is universally safe and that carrying a child to term is an equal burden for all women. This flawed perspective ignores the medical realities of high-risk pregnancies and the structural barriers that prevent many from receiving adequate care.
Pregnancy is not equally safe for everyone. Health risks, socioeconomic disparities, and racial inequalities mean that some women face significant dangers during pregnancy. The post-Roe legal environment disregards these realities, putting many at unnecessary risk. Without a healthcare system that prioritizes maternal health equity, restrictive abortion laws only serve to increase preventable maternal deaths. Ensuring that all women have the right to make informed choices about their own bodies is essential to protecting lives.
