Pregnancy prosecutions are on the rise

January 15, 2026

picture of a pregnant woman's baby bump

(Axios) – Prosecutors in states with abortion bans are increasingly charging mostly low-income women with pregnancy-related crimes, in a test of whether fetuses and embryos have the same rights as children.

Why it matters: The cases further complicate the post-Roe landscape and bring particular scrutiny to pregnant women accused of drug or other substance use. (Read More)