Texas Women More Likely to Die in Childbirth than from an Abortion, and HB 2 will Make it Worse

[TexasTowelie]

Women's health has been at the forefront of Texas politics this summer. But with the main focus on abortion, you may have missed an important and troubling fact: women are more likely to die in childbirth than during an abortion.

A study published in the medical journal Obstetrics and Gynecology in February 2012 found that nationally, the pregnancy-associated mortality rate among women giving birth was 8.8 deaths per 100,000 live births while the mortality rate associated with abortion was only 0.6 deaths per 100,000 abortions. In other words, women carrying a baby to term are 14 times more likely to die than a woman who has a legal abortion.

These statistics are even worse in Texas. In 2010, the state's maternal mortality rate was 24.6 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Texas has roughly the same maternal mortality rate as Saudi Arabia, and it's worse than Iran and Turkey. That's right--women giving birth in Texas are as likely to die as women giving birth in Saudi Arabia, and are more likely to die than women giving birth in Iran and Turkey.

There are a variety of reasons why maternal mortality has increased in recent years. One reason is the general increased prevalence of chronic health conditions that affect maternal health. For example, rates of obesity and diabetes have steadily increased over the past decade. The prevalence of obesity and diabetes in Texas are both slightly higher than the national average, and obesity is associated with a higher risk of maternal death. Obesity is also linked to socioeconomic and minority status. These problems are also reflected in the maternal mortality rate for minority women in Texas-- black women are almost twice as likely to die giving birth than white women.

More at http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/13851/texas-women-more-likely-to-die-in-childbirth-than-from-an-abortion-and-hb-2-will-make-it-worse .

[Warpy]

1. All women are more likely to die from childbirth than abortion,

something like six times more likely. That's one compelling reason, along with the risk of crippled health, that pregnancy and childbirth need to be voluntary.

[Freddie]

4. ^^this^^

No woman should ever be FORCED to risk her life against her will.

[Ilsa]

2. For the first time in ages, I watched a "reality"

show a couple of weeks ago about morbidly obese pregnant women. All of the births (4) were complicated, and 3/4 were Ceasareans.

In on case, the anesthesiologist couldn't place the epidural because of the woman's size. They ended up using general anesthesia on her. Her Csection took awhile, too, increasing her risk. The c sections mean recovery is more painful, and they are at greater risk for clot formation.

Abortion is a very safe procedure provided it is performed by an experienced doctor in a clean facility using sterile instruments.

The idea that women in Texas are almost three times more likely to die in childbirth is shocking.

[Shrike47]

3. I've long thought a statute should be proposed that women be advised of the statistics

at their first prenatal appointment, along with a video of what pre-eclampsia is like. Such a bill could be offered in every state where women are required to be advised of (frequently untruthful) propaganda before an abortion, or otherwise hassled by the government in a medical procedure.