Pro-life laws across America are being falsely portrayed as criminalizing miscarriages, despite clear legal distinctions between abortion and natural pregnancy loss.

At a Glance

• Pro-life laws in all 50 states explicitly allow for medical care during miscarriages and pregnancy-related emergencies
• A recent Georgia case involving miscarriage charges was dismissed, but abortion advocates used it to falsely claim pro-life laws target women with natural pregnancy losses
• Political groups and media outlets are spreading misinformation about pro-life laws to influence voters
• Medical professionals confirm that treatment for miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies remains legal and available in all states with pro-life protections
• Pro-life organizations are working to combat widespread misinformation through educational campaigns

The Miscarriage Misinformation Campaign

A coordinated effort to spread fear about pro-life laws is misleading Americans about the legal status of miscarriage care. Political organizations like The Lincoln Project have released advertisements falsely implying that women experiencing miscarriages could face legal jeopardy in states with abortion restrictions.

These claims directly contradict the explicit language in these laws, which universally permit medical interventions during pregnancy complications and natural losses. The campaign appears designed to push voters toward supporting abortion access by creating unfounded fears about basic healthcare availability.

Medical professionals have strongly condemned these misleading portrayals. Dr. Christina Francis, an obstetrician-gynecologist, has publicly refuted claims that pro-life laws prevent emergency care.

The false narratives suggest that doctors’ hands are tied when treating pregnancy complications, despite clear legal exceptions for medical emergencies in every state with abortion restrictions. These exceptions specifically allow physicians to intervene immediately when a mother’s life is at risk.

“Shame on you, @ProjectLincoln for spreading blatant lies. Every law in the country allows for OBGYNs like me to intervene immediately when a woman has a potentially life-threatening condition. Stop intimidating people with lies. Prolife laws protect women and girls.”, said Dr. Christina Francis.

The Georgia Case: Facts vs. Fiction

A high-profile incident in Georgia involving a woman charged after a miscarriage has been widely misrepresented in media coverage. Importantly, the woman was not charged with violating Georgia’s heartbeat law, but instead faced charges related to improper handling of remains – charges that would have applied regardless of the state’s abortion laws. The charges were later dismissed following autopsy results, confirming that pro-life laws do not target women experiencing natural pregnancy losses.

“It is important to note that the Chandler-Scott was not charged with violating a pro-life law. She was charged with concealing the death of another person and throwing away or abandoning a dead body. The situation would have likely played out the same way if Georgia’s heartbeat act was not on the books.”, added Dr. Michael New.

Abortion advocacy groups have nonetheless leveraged this case to suggest that women face criminal prosecution for miscarriages under new pro-life protections. Legal experts have consistently pointed out that no evidence exists of pregnancy being criminalized in the aftermath of the Dobbs decision. Courts have historically dismissed similar miscarriage-related charges, reinforcing the legal distinction between natural pregnancy loss and elective abortion.

Medical Reality vs. Political Rhetoric

Healthcare providers in states with strong pro-life protections continue to provide standard care for miscarriages and pregnancy complications. Dr. Sudheer Jayaprabhu, practicing in Texas, confirms that treatments for miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies remain unchanged despite new abortion restrictions. The medical distinction between abortion – the intentional ending of fetal life – and miscarriage management – the care for a pregnancy that has already ended naturally – is clearly understood in medical practice and in law.

The Georgia Department of Community Health has explicitly clarified that abortion remains permissible to save a mother’s life in emergencies. Similar clarifications exist in every state with pro-life protections. Organizations like Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and the Charlotte Lozier Institute have launched educational initiatives to combat misinformation and ensure both women and medical providers understand their rights and responsibilities under these laws.

“The claim that any pro-life law would not permit treatment for a miscarriage is false. It’s an insult to tell women they have something to fear.”, said Katie Daniel.

The Need for Accurate Information

As election cycles intensify, misinformation about abortion laws spreads rapidly through political campaigns, social media, and even mainstream news outlets. Pro-life advocates encourage Americans to read the actual text of state abortion laws rather than relying on potentially biased interpretations.

These laws consistently include provisions that protect women’s health and ensure access to emergency medical care. The distinction between treating a miscarriage and performing an elective abortion remains clear in medical practice and in legal statutes.

The ongoing public debate about abortion access deserves honest, factual information that respects both women’s health concerns and the reality of how pro-life laws actually function. When separating fact from fiction, it becomes clear that claims about pro-life laws endangering women experiencing miscarriages do not reflect the true legal or medical landscape. These laws are designed to protect unborn life while ensuring mothers receive necessary medical care during pregnancy complications.