Culture

America's Fake Maternal Mortality Rate Crisis Is Being Used To Push Abortions

We’re constantly told that our country has frighteningly high rates of maternal mortality, scaring women into thinking that they are more at risk when they get pregnant than when they have an abortion. Turns out, they’ve been lied to with statistics, as usual.

By Gina Florio4 min read
Pexels/cottonbro studio

According to some liberal medical experts and media reports, the United States is currently experiencing a "pregnancy crisis," which they attribute to an alleged sharp increase in maternal mortality rates rather than a decline in fertility rates. This perspective holds that the U.S., despite its considerable healthcare expenditures, is facing a severe problem with maternal deaths, which is unique among wealthier nations.

The American Medical Association (AMA) has expressed concern over these supposedly high maternal mortality rates, using this as a basis to advocate for broader government welfare programs and more access to abortion. They argue that the risk of dying from childbirth-related issues is significantly higher – about 14 times greater – than from complications related to abortions. This stance is supported by certain Democratic states, as noted in their amicus brief for the Supreme Court case FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine. Furthermore, in the lead-up to the anticipated overturning of Roe v. Wade, the medical journal Lancet cautioned that justices would have "blood on their hands" if they proceeded with the decision, suggesting dire consequences for maternal health.

They’re Lying about the Maternal Mortality Rate 

However, this narrative has been challenged by claims of misuse of data to further political agendas, an issue that was also noted during the Covid-19 pandemic. A recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology points out that the commonly referenced statistics on U.S. maternal mortality are likely exaggerated due to inconsistencies in how deaths during pregnancy are reported. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Vital Statistics System, the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. has supposedly tripled since 2001, reaching 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021. Yet, the study reveals that this figure is mostly a result of statistical anomalies.

The study highlights that many deaths categorized as "maternal" may not be directly related to pregnancy but rather to other underlying health issues, such as cancer or pre-existing conditions. This misclassification has been facilitated by a checkbox introduced in 2003 on death certificates, designed to identify women who died while pregnant or within a year of ending a pregnancy. This checkbox, the study argues, has led to over-reporting maternal mortality rates and including some striking inaccuracies, like classifying women over 70 as pregnant at the time of death.

There is even more evidence coming out to show that women who are murdered while they are pregnant are counted among the “maternal mortality” rate, misleading people even more into thinking that women are at such a high risk of death from simply being pregnant. In 2020, there were 189 pregnancy-associated homicides, with non-Hispanic black women constituting 55% of the victims and 45% being 24 years old or younger. Firearms were used in 81% of these cases, and 55% took place at home. At the time of their deaths, 54% of the victims were pregnant, while the rest were within one year postpartum. The study highlights that these patterns are consistent with prior years, showing that adolescents and black women are disproportionately affected by pregnancy-associated homicide.

Many deaths from abortions are misclassified as pregnancy-related deaths.

When the researchers adjusted the data to consider only deaths directly linked to pregnancy or childbirth (and mentioned as such on the death certificate), they found that the maternal mortality rate remained relatively stable from 1999-2002 and 2018-2021, around 10 per 100,000 live births, which aligns with rates in other developed countries.

Additionally, the study found a decrease in deaths directly related to labor and pregnancy over the years, suggesting improvements in medical care. However, indirect deaths related to pre-existing conditions exacerbated by pregnancy, such as hypertension and diabetes, have risen, likely due to increases in obesity and related health issues. There has also been a dramatic increase in pregnancy-associated deaths from incidental causes, like drug overdoses, which has significantly impacted the overall statistics.

It’s also extremely important to note that many deaths from abortions are misclassified as pregnancy-related deaths. This is yet another trick used to scare women into thinking that abortion is safer than pregnancy, and this debate is made murky (at best) by inflating data, fueled by contentious political narratives. This situation poses a significant challenge to the credibility of the public health establishment, particularly within liberal circles, and can polarize public opinion on what are fundamentally important health and moral issues.

We’re Actually Seeing a Population Decline 

One of the things that pro-abortion activists love to bring up is the idea that we are facing an overpopulation, which is a good enough reason for women to either not have children or get an abortion if they get pregnant. But the United States is currently facing a significant population challenge marked by a declining birth rate, which has profound implications for its future demographic structure and economic stability. Over the past several decades, the fertility rate in the U.S. has fallen consistently below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman, the rate needed to maintain a stable population without considering immigration. In recent years, this trend has intensified, with the National Center for Health Statistics reporting that the birth rate fell to about 1.6 in 2020, the lowest in more than a century.

Several factors contribute to the declining birth rate in the United States. Economic considerations play a crucial role; the increasing cost of raising children, coupled with housing and educational expenses, has deterred many would-be parents. The labor market and economic uncertainties, especially highlighted during the Covid-19 pandemic, have further discouraged young couples from starting or expanding their families. Moreover, cultural shifts such as delayed marriage, increased educational and career pursuits, especially among women, and a greater emphasis on personal autonomy and financial independence have also led to lower fertility rates.

Pregnancy is not some kind of sickness that will ruin a woman’s body and make her miserable for all of eternity.

The implications of this demographic shift are far-reaching. A declining birth rate leads to an aging population, which in turn creates significant challenges for social security systems and healthcare services. As the proportion of the working-age population shrinks, the burden of supporting an older population may lead to increased taxation or reduced benefits, potentially straining intergenerational relations and economic stability.

Moreover, the population decline can have profound impacts on the economy at large. A smaller workforce may lead to reduced economic growth and competitiveness on a global scale. Businesses may face labor shortages, and regions may experience declines in economic vitality as the population ages and shrinks.

To address these challenges, some policy measures can be considered in addition to cultural changes. Some argue for government incentives for families, such as tax benefits, subsidized childcare, and more generous parental leave policies, which could alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with raising children. Additionally, policies that support work-life balance, such as flexible working conditions and career support for parents, might encourage higher fertility rates.

Regardless of your opinions on these potential policies, nobody can deny that we need to change the way our culture talks about marriage and pregnancy. Pregnancy is not some kind of sickness that will ruin a woman’s body and make her miserable for all of eternity. Sure, there are difficult moments, but pregnancy is generally safe and manageable for women who take care of their bodies and treat themselves well. We need more young women to see the bright side of pregnancy and the many blessings that come along with it – the population of our country depends on it. 

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