Sepsis Rates Increase Over 50% in Texas Post-Abortion Ban

A ProPublica analysis reveals that Texas's 2021 abortion ban has significantly increased risks associated with pregnancy, particularly a more than 50% rise in sepsis rates for women hospitalized after losing pregnancies during the second trimester. The report indicates that the spike in sepsis cases is especially pronounced for patients whose fetuses may still have had a heartbeat upon hospital arrival, leading to dangerous delays in necessary medical care. Maternal health experts assert that these findings corroborate concerns that the state's restrictive abortion laws are directly linked to higher maternal mortality rates, as evidenced by dozens of additional deaths since the ban. The analysis tracked seven years of hospital discharge data, highlighting a worrying trend in Texas that may reflect similar issues in other states with strict abortion laws. Critics of the ban argue that the lack of clear definitions regarding medical emergencies complicates timely medical intervention. Overall, the findings underscore the serious implications of the abortion ban on women's health in Texas.