A new special statement from the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) indicates that abortion care should be considered a "core component" of maternal-fetal specialists' practice in states with abortion restrictions. The report, released on Tuesday, states that legal restrictions in 41 US states, which ban abortion at some point in pregnancy, make it difficult or impossible for clinicians to practice "standard-of-care, evidence-based medicine".
Justin Lappen, chair of SMFM’s reproductive health committee and a co-author of the statement, said that "the practice of maternal-fetal medicine is inseparable from family planning and abortion care." The statement encourages providers and health systems to "expand access to abortion care to the legal limit allowed by state law" to offer comprehensive patient care. This includes understanding exceptions to laws, which can be complex to interpret.
Lappen also emphasised the importance for health systems and hospitals to establish safe care systems and comprehend the state's reproductive health legal landscape. He argued that setting guidelines before emergencies arise is crucial, as critical decision-making in acute situations is not the time to consult lawyers.