--- title: "Pregnancy as a Crime Post-Dobbs: A Preliminary Report" date: 2026-02-20T12:23:00-05:00 author: Jonese Austin canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/pregnancy-as-a-crime-post-dobbs-a-preliminary-report" section: Resources --- [Donate](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/donate) [Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# Pregnancy as a Crime Post-Dobbs: A Preliminary Report New research by Pregnancy Justice shows that abortion restrictions play a significant role in the criminalization of pregnancy. Their report, with graphs illustrating the statistics, is a part of a larger three-year study that explores the criminalization of pregnancy in the United States. Laws protecting fetal personhood, for instance, assert that a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus is a person that is separate and distinct from the birthing parent. Not all of the states mentioned in the report have such laws. But five of the states with the highest number of prosecutions for crimes related to pregnancy do have fetal personhood laws. In the first year after the Dobbs decision (June 24, 2022 to June 23, 2023), at least 210 pregnant people were charged with crimes related to pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and birth. The report from Pregnancy Justice provides a preliminary overview of the cases. Researchers found that most of the charges referred to child abuse, neglect, or endangerment. Most of the allegations against the pregnant people related to substance use before pregnancy or during pregnancy. This highlights how fetal personhood is often prioritized over the birthing parent's bodily autonomy. Most pregnant people who faced criminal charges were low-income, and 143 of them were white. The disparities reflect an unjust and racist system that values white life above the lives of people of color. While prosecutors claimed that they were trying to prevent harm, they pressed charges without having to prove there was any harm. For instance, a pregnant person could give birth to a healthy child and still be charged with endangerment. Rather provide birthing people with help and support, law enforcement criminalized them, and took custody of their children. Pregnancy criminalization can contribute to fear and pregnant people may avoid seeking care in healthcare settings as medical providers are encouraged to serve as law enforcement. > Fetal personhood, as manifested through pregnancy criminalization, is not about protecting fetuses from harm. It is about controlling and punishing pregnant people, particularly women who do not conform to racialized ideals of motherhood.Far from making pregnancy, birth, and parenting safer and healthier, criminalization threatens all people’s bodily autonomy, their power to make reproductive healthcare decisions free from government interference, and their ability to live and parent in safe and healthy communities. [Read the full article ](https://www.pregnancyjusticeus.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Pregnancy-as-a-Crime.pdf) SOURCE: Pregnancy Justice • AUTHOR: Wendy A. Bach and Madalyn K. Wasilczuk • LAST UPDATED: September 1, 2024 ![handcuffs laying on fingerprints chart](data:image/png;base64,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) Justin/Adobe Stock ![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics - [ abortion](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/abortion) - [ pregnancy & birth](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/pregnancy-birth) - [ access to abortion](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/access-to-abortion) - [ history & politics of abortion](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/history-politics-of-abortion) - [ birth justice](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/birth-justice) - [criminal legal system](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/criminal-legal-system) - [abortion restrictions](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/abortion-restrictions) - [discrimination](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/discrimination) - [bodily autonomy](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/bodily-autonomy) - [BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color)](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/bipoc-black-indigenous-and-people-of-color) ![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** - We rigorously evaluate all content - We embrace a reproductive justice framework - We don’t accept ads or sell products - We reject funding from the pharmaceutical industry - We counter misinformation and disinformation - We address the social, political, and economic factors that affect health and sexuality [read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us) Share [](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();) ##### More to Explore [ResourcesRead ## Criminalization of Pregnancy Has Already Been Happening Abortion bans criminalize pregnant people. This NPR piece explains how, and traces the history of criminalizing pregnancy over the last 50 years. ![A woman in a hospital gown cries in a hallway](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAADlklEQVRIiW2WUbLcSghDJcb7X18W8NaQnzut8z4A26nE1TXladsCgaDx7/9+IQQASTjJyTlJkgN9k0AIkF4hyUlOX9/v+X6/35/v9+f8/JzvzznfnAMpSZYl67ks25at2bdn/1nzyPcLfr6WH8BLsoQsYdmikc2NZQvJtkR/xCLOuyVF6pteu4+utmaQg2wXZh4bGankWIUiaR7upoxl2XhwceFChcG67JKEaHL0O24i2LSjjNtQKJF4wmDkj5z9jVztXxv4IDoKkt2Q9cpI7LLBCUJiotXxKSmftoHBkYOhBFblUn0MMgJilyw5/Xn/NVhhzUCx4bSQJgWokEMbMJQSX/ZHBpBwmdh1nvxGLjt2AeXgwiDFKnFGbe5AQfUSCEzlcn1EqygtIdIhsnQki0gxMXTFKLhKRGVxhkSJQu27hZUySTOQ2ByULfnhMfl+u2+hxFVWhBXLYhm0pWaQZgCyEYaOhq3jSGXpKHaVybjfwVRJiMhWeRloom9ipUR8yR9bMMVDucOr4dFJRqlRdnAx6GVjZWpLhko6DQErdsv0YTDokbzyqJYQBoIKBXvT4NOvUa3Rdj9pEm4GgqcOpsXIbBeynGkThYK6NBVPNsW6PwT9eRsoiV03LnsjaUj0C+6W4S00W8XWTnBQouCKEt0GmO/pmuhGhGRESeB94TZ/GzAq8AcFn7hwRY7qiEs2WKYdE5YKgYy9Vds91NtK10ZZkfxpTU6P234UKfKFLIuXY1ijaonp29rfd4Nrxv2wtNA0NDoo6GLL7EHEnXTwUHlStL+eFiWDi+3AY4PbBpeeADO4UqS18VrNw0JdOF5utPuzUO6TFa4OMCw6hLmy93kIGfbsNJJxK9edP1C0hzY5yUXDa499tNAigHrnFSi/7+9TejdZBulx4YIxkRc6EO5JQt2G7nA01xfukyTamzCzSM6VNTBzC3ljp609hfcuSHiPEq/RZ/DPSc6fDAY3szKDEOo0tiBGY6Ll95f7YyQ9X12d3VdWd8hKz2G3tOjp6MG6S0/bCu48JuSQk3w7RLO9IVmObWLHpqcw3l6vyl9hZhW0DJ5nj52bBaNj55n+3lPg9Ce2XJ4UN4kxsMp51L+V0iKonf26yCZKO+lNfF41eQv1XPdB+K9rNNQx9z8ir5eVN1A0QrlVpJkYblNdXYLutV2MC/0W6JvEH0qCqKfrxbrjuVu3+/CMvXr5/N6c78V9ugDwP59tO39h8pn2AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC) Abortion bans criminalize pregnant people. This NPR piece explains how, and traces the history of criminalizing pregnancy over the last 50 years.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/criminalization-of-pregnancy) [ResourcesRead ## Abortion Decriminalization and the Struggle against Policing and Criminalization This policy brief examines the state surveillance of abortion access and the growing criminalization of pregnant people, parents, and providers. ![Pexels servet photograph 11164911 scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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) This policy brief examines the state surveillance of abortion access and the growing criminalization of pregnant people, parents, and providers.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/abortion-decriminalization-and-the-struggle-against-policing-and-criminalization) [ResourcesRead ## The History of Abortion Law in the United States Abortions occur whether they are legal or not, but the right to abortion has been both supported and contested over time. This essay traces key state and federal laws and Supreme Court rulings and their effects throughout U.S. history. ![People standing at a protest on the Minnesota Capitol protesting for abortion access](data:image/png;base64,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) Abortions occur whether they are legal or not, but the right to abortion has been both supported and contested over time. This essay traces key state and federal laws and Supreme Court rulings and their effects throughout U.S. history.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/u-s-abortion-history) [ResourcesRead ## Body Politics: How White Fear Has Fueled the Anti-Abortion Movement This article traces how nativism, eugenics, and white supremacy have historically helped drive the anti-abortion movement. ![amine-m'siouri-2246258](data:image/png;base64,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) This article traces how nativism, eugenics, and white supremacy have historically helped drive the anti-abortion movement.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/body-politics-how-white-fear-has-fueled-the-anti-abortion-movement) [Stories & ConversationsWatch ## Dealing with Doctors and My Heart Health TC shares her experience with doctors in the days leading up to and after her diagnosis of congestive heart failure. ![Tannie](data:image/png;base64,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) TC shares her experience with doctors in the days leading up to and after her diagnosis of congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/your-story-heart-health1) [Stories & ConversationsRead ## Living with Congestive Heart Failure TC shares how she felt immediately after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure. ![Alexandru-Acea-unsplash](data:image/png;base64,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) TC shares how she felt immediately after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-living-with-congestive-heart-failure) [Stories & ConversationsWatch ## Interacting with My Cardiologist TC discusses her relationship with the cardiologist she was assigned after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure. ![Tannie](data:image/png;base64,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) TC discusses her relationship with the cardiologist she was assigned after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/your-story-heart-health3) [ResourcesRead ## 35 Self-Care Tips for Black Women A collection of self-care tips for Black women ![Brandy kennedy 7 P1mau71k JA unsplash scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAD0UlEQVRIiV1WW5LDNgwDQDpX7hk6vfIa6Acl2YnGs+skNsAnSP7z738AEBBg5iIBgQRFSZSkKpVUUs9NSVJJkkiRBNcrLzQAwjn5vsvPt/l9jHgf/jy3H+svwAAJQiTZj+V1fhC5cF+3yGNJAKDnHxMEWQRB4FBkyAwNCQ1HcHBJkHyBP9AJAmQ8OD4EcBIw4eBQ8xvJWOc1AOTDwB2hAx2PvStEj/mxuTgAIDRSQEQmThSEwJg9Z30CN0Qw6E6CfqKdxIYTG3eYBBAFBSiTKsVPiHmOiKkZLpiBGid6g+9s2rlv3KbDIBRKBEzZrngcP9DU8mIiMeCxczv2EAzvYp3f8HfDZhASKQKWclde6FqXNn4CTg4dj6Fx+iR/e+bcd/5u3PcicETGd2Ik3DmgRA0+J/PhLmvHvn0ICBor9bF9377/8Gc6IZlYchv2qahjviSSSAzQnHj7nPvu04OZIDp2fBt/f3BAGnDdsacJuCN0zgSZdE6rLTvv3HeTk38+fWuvTNgkLcZGvBRmbBffBEmUhHzh275tNykgIKdrVjHYiWGHv+jf1kuq88ZpuGOo7/sQZFFsVUnCHFUAd9e+bR9NBZA4IvgyMXGSuCXNB47win5aCK+/33arlmJLABxIWSW7WJY+NiVOhUqeyqtlJJJlcD1XVZ1xMEQAcCPM6bsjhgG6pIwWyZp3q1DlNskSq7u6ztFcWh8prcqRvzp761OrVn/Clap04a/QrQRyiX11ddf8fRHN2QTxM9smUYRIsqVCQgBOVaUb1007BD0EV3+uRbM5jh+jdEje+TlNmGJX1apgB92wedvJCHRxCD59XX11d1e3evtQW4iSPbufImOJrkUQEjNnbCYmIDEp8bqu63P1ddV11bXysT3QVHm2B6+KqCrBalUhMYkp/IRAiJSUlNRX9+fTn8+K0mbQ3iiCaOXg1SAlVyXpUgU5xcWtmagSUlJ3X59Pf66+ru5+4Y8HTIC5ezXJVBmS5UGGIBFiIhLtcePqWug7zys+JUnYrmv36dqaqtQVpKuUIJ5lCyYERGIsoMTu3ujXg/5WOiTKOMAnRorHAykBiBBeygvYTARUsav7uqqvOvF/FePMQ4WWePDHCTs4BDlDGyEgMxFRUnXt4um9MdYp9u8FQD+ahVSTmolEaAbfmh+IjlRUreCodmq1d5avDUPUGtRLptIcUYOiLVAEQh2CE/Q6ajC6ebrsYcAzS2mJSa+HCJgUA62Om9p99efXnrLWudn/skp8dPodLrLnqwQks/thXpiy+z2zMK7dFFyb2BpWzwN7ivwPs3voTemrN/kAAAAASUVORK5CYII=) A collection of self-care tips for Black women](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/35-self-care-tips-for-black-women)