More than 60 percent of OB-GYNs say the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision that overturned Roe v. Wade one year ago has worsened pregnancy-related mortality and made it more difficult to manage emergencies related to pregnancy, according to a new KFF survey of 569 OB-GYNs.
KFF surveyed office-based OB-GYNs in the U.S. from March 17 to May 18. Specialists who were surveyed spend the majority of their working hours in direct patient care and provide sexual and reproductive healthcare to at least 10 percent of patients. Read more about the survey methodology here.
Overall, 68 percent of physicians said the ruling has worsened their ability to manage pregnancy-related emergencies. Sixty-four percent also said the decision worsened pregnancy-related mortality.
National findings from the survey:
- Seventy percent of respondents said the decision worsened racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health.
- More than half of respondents said Dobbs has negatively affected the ability to attract new OB-GYNs to the specialty.
- One in 4 respondents have had patients unable to obtain an abortion they sought.
- About 42 percent of OB-GYNs report they are somewhat or very concerned about personal legal risks when making decisions about patient care and the need for abortion. About the same portion said their decision-making autonomy has worsened in the last year.
- Fifty-five percent report an increase in the share of patients seeking contraception since the ruling, particularly sterilization (43 percent) and IUDs and implants (47 percent).
In states where abortion is banned:
- Half of OB-GYNs practicing in states where abortion is banned say they've had a patient unable to obtain an abortion they sought. Meanwhile, about 40 percent say they have personally felt constraints on their ability to manage miscarriages and other pregnancy-related emergencies.
- Sixty percent of those practicing in states where abortion is banned say their decision-making autonomy has become worse in the last year. Fifty-five percent say their ability to practice within the standard of care has worsened.
View the full findings here.