After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, several red states, such as Texas, passed laws further restricting abortion. Needless to say, these moves were met with fiery debate over whether women should have more access to the procedure.
Now, it appears these restrictions have made an impact – especially in the Lone Star State, which has seen an increase in the number of births.
Texas saw three percent more births than in the year before Roe was overturned:
A strict abortion law that took effect in Texas in 2021 may have led to nearly 10,000 more births than expected in the last nine months of 2022, according to research published in the journal JAMA.
Texas Senate Bill 8, which banned abortions after six weeks of pregnancy with few exceptions, took effect nearly 10 months before the US Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade and revoked the federal right to abortion.
Making contraception free for low-income, uninsured women could prevent many unplanned pregnancies and abortions, new report shows
For their study, published last week, researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health analyzed years of birth records to understand how the state law may have affected local trends.
Using data from other states and from Texas in years prior to the new law, they established a version of what birth trends in Texas would have probably looked like without the law and compared that with the actual number of births reported.
They found that from April to December 2022, the first months that would have reflected the effects of the policy change, there were about 297,000 total births: about 3% more than the 287,000 births that would have been expected without the law.
JAMA’s study could provide valuable insights into the effects of further restricting abortion. While the report’s suggestion that more access to contraception might be helpful, the findings underscore the need for proponents of the pro-life cause to further explore ways to support mothers facing unwanted pregnancies, particularly those without a robust support system.
By offering practical assistance and implementing effective programs, we can help alleviate the challenges these women face and ensure a more compassionate and comprehensive approach to the issue. It can also help provide better alternatives for mothers who are hesitant about having an abortion.
Firstly, streamlining the adoption process and making it more accessible can offer a viable alternative for mothers facing unwanted pregnancies. Simplifying legal procedures, reducing associated costs, and providing comprehensive information and counseling can help remove barriers that might discourage women from considering adoption.
To make adoption easier for mothers with unwanted pregnancies in Texas, several steps can be taken. Firstly, the state can work on simplifying the legal process and reducing bureaucratic hurdles associated with adoption. This can involve streamlining paperwork, clarifying regulations, and providing clear guidance to both birth mothers and adoptive families.
Secondly, Texas can invest in comprehensive adoption education and counseling programs to ensure that women have access to unbiased information about the adoption process, their rights, and available support services. This isn’t information these mothers would receive at the Planned Parenthood clinic for obvious reasons. More awareness around adoption would encourage more mothers to go that route instead of killing their unborn child.
Additionally, the state can establish a centralized database or resource center that consolidates information about adoption agencies, waiting families, and post-adoption support, making it easier for mothers to navigate their options. By implementing these measures, Texas can create a more supportive and streamlined adoption system that empowers mothers with unwanted pregnancies to consider adoption as a viable alternative.
By creating a supportive environment that prioritizes the well-being of both the mother and the child, we can ensure that adoption becomes a genuine choice for women who feel unprepared or unable to raise a child. Additionally, promoting awareness campaigns that destigmatize adoption and highlight the positive outcomes for both birth mothers and adoptive families can help shift societal attitudes and encourage more women to consider this alternative.
In addition, increasing the availability of crisis pregnancy centers can offer critical support and guidance to mothers navigating challenging circumstances. These centers provide essential resources such as counseling, medical services, material assistance, and educational programs tailored to the specific needs of pregnant women. They have proven to be highly effective in convincing mothers to keep their children, which is why the pro-abortion crowd is attacking them so viciously.
By expanding the network of crisis pregnancy centers and ensuring their accessibility, we can offer non-judgmental support, empower women to explore their options and help them make informed decisions about their pregnancies. Collaborating with medical professionals, volunteers, and community organizations can strengthen the services provided by these centers and ensure that mothers have a safe and supportive environment to turn to during difficult times.
In combination, making adoption easier and increasing the availability of crisis pregnancy centers can contribute to a comprehensive support system for mothers living in states with abortion restrictions. These measures provide alternatives, guidance, and resources that can empower women to make choices aligned with their individual circumstances and values while receiving the necessary support throughout their journey. Now that Texas and other states have ramped up restrictions on the practice, which is a huge victory for the pro-life movement, there should be even more resources for these mothers.
