Roe v. Wade Overturn Linked to Poorer Miscarriage Care, OHSU Study Finds

New research from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) reveals that the overturn of Roe v. Wade and the subsequent wave of abortion restrictions have worsened medical outcomes for patients experiencing miscarriages, a finding that underscores the broader, unintended consequences of reproductive healthcare limitations. The study, published in January 2026 in JAMA Health Forum, highlights how policies targeting abortion access disproportionately affect patients—even those whose pregnancies were planned and medically managed.

The OHSU team, led by fertility experts at the Center for Women’s Health, analyzed maternal and neonatal health data for over 400,000 births conceived through fertility treatments between 2012 and 2021. Their focus was on states with Targeted Regulations of Abortion Providers (TRAP) laws, which impose stringent requirements on clinics offering abortion services. The study found that patients in these states faced significantly higher risks of complications during pregnancy and childbirth, including hemorrhage, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and stillbirth—risks that are already elevated for individuals undergoing fertility treatments.

While the research did not explicitly address miscarriage management, it aligns with a growing body of evidence suggesting that abortion restrictions create systemic barriers to comprehensive reproductive care. A separate 2024 study published in PMC (National Library of Medicine) warned that such policies threaten the quality of miscarriage care, forcing providers to navigate legal and ethical constraints that delay or complicate treatment. The OHSU findings reinforce this concern by demonstrating how broader restrictions on reproductive healthcare—even when not directly targeting miscarriage—can exacerbate risks for vulnerable patient populations.

Why the Findings Matter

The study’s lead author, Molly Kornfield, M.D., an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at OHSU, emphasized that the impacts of abortion restrictions extend far beyond the intended scope. “People with highly planned and desired pregnancies may not be who we typically think of when we discuss the impacts of abortion restrictions,” Kornfield stated in a January 9, 2026, press release. “But their health and safety are being considerably impacted. These data prove what we already know: Abortion restrictions don’t exist in a vacuum—they affect everyone who needs reproductive healthcare.”

For patients who rely on fertility treatments—such as in vitro fertilization (IVF)—the stakes are particularly high. These individuals often face higher baseline risks for pregnancy complications due to underlying infertility diagnoses or advanced maternal age. When layered with legal and logistical barriers to abortion access, the cumulative effect can be devastating. The OHSU study did not quantify the specific impact on miscarriage outcomes, but it provides critical context for understanding how policy restrictions ripple across the spectrum of reproductive care.

Broader Implications for Reproductive Healthcare

The link between abortion restrictions and adverse maternal outcomes has been documented in multiple studies. Research published in The Lancet in 2023 found that states with the most restrictive abortion laws experienced higher maternal mortality rates, particularly for Black and low-income patients. The OHSU study expands on this by focusing on a subset of patients—those using fertility treatments—who may have assumed their pregnancies were shielded from such risks due to their planned nature.

OHSU’s findings also intersect with recent institutional challenges at the university. In April 2026, the health system faced leadership turmoil after its newly hired hospital CEO was removed just four months into the role, raising questions about operational stability amid ongoing public health priorities. While unrelated to the study’s clinical findings, the episode underscores the broader pressures on academic medical centers to balance research, patient care, and advocacy in an evolving policy landscape.

What Comes Next?

The OHSU study does not offer immediate policy solutions, but it underscores the need for comprehensive reproductive healthcare frameworks that address the full spectrum of pregnancy-related needs. Experts caution that without targeted interventions, the unintended consequences of abortion restrictions will continue to disproportionately affect marginalized and medically vulnerable populations.

For now, the research serves as a stark reminder that reproductive healthcare is not a binary issue—This proves a continuum. Policies that limit access to abortion can have cascading effects on miscarriage care, fertility treatments, and overall maternal health. As legal battles over abortion rights persist, the OHSU study provides a data-driven argument for why these debates must center on the holistic well-being of patients, not just the narrow parameters of legislative intent.

For readers seeking further context, the full study is available in JAMA Health Forum, and additional resources on miscarriage care and reproductive healthcare disparities can be found through organizations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Guttmacher Institute.