Roe v Wade and the Threat to Fertility Care

Abstract

Although the intended consequence of abortion bans is to prohibit legal abortion, one unintended consequence may be undue restriction of in vitro fertilization.

The Long-term Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on U.S. Population Structure

“…The maternal health and midlife mortality crises are likely to affect the U.S. population through multiple avenues. Demographic predictions warn that a total abortion ban could lead to excess pregnancy-related deaths of nearly 25% (40,41) while other work suggests that it may have consequences for in-vitro fertilization rates, contributing to a decline in number of births (42).…”

Preserving Fertility in Women With Cancer

“……Health care providers should refer patients who express an interest in fertility preservation (and those who are ambivalent) to reproductive specialists.” (p1995) These FP options include standard-of-care assisted reproductive technologies (ART; oocyte/embryo cryopreservation), ovarian transposition, ovarian tissue cryopreservation, experimental technologies (ovarian suppression), and fertility-sparing management of early gynecologic cancers. While ART remains the most effective option for FP, there is increasing concern after the overturning of Roe v Wade that attempts to restrict access to embryo cryopreservation (and additional ART techniques such as preimplantation genetic testing) will occur by linking fertility treatment to abortion bans through “personhood” bills …”

“…While ART remains the most effective option for FP, there is increasing concern after the overturning of Roe v Wade that attempts to restrict access to embryo cryopreservation (and additional ART techniques such as preimplantation genetic testing) will occur by linking fertility treatment to abortion bans through "personhood" bills. 3 Several advancements have made FP for women more feasible. 2 As of 2012, oocyte freezing is not experimental, and women who are single, desire reproductive autonomy, or have objections to freezing embryos can exercise this option.…”

The impact of the Dobbs decision on in-vitro fertilization and fertility care

“…The subsequent inability to dispose of embryos would place undue pressure on patients who may be forced to have transfers of embryos despite reaching their desired family size. Alternatively, families may be forced to pay for embryo storage indefinitely to avoid disposal or implantation [10]. Furthermore, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) offers patients the opportunity to test embryos with the goal of selecting genetically normal embryos for implantation, thereby avoiding the transfer of those with inheritable diseases or chromosomal abnormalities that are not compatible with life.…”