Across the country, in red states like Texas, Oklahoma and Tennessee, obstetricians — including highly skilled doctors who specialize in handling complex and risky pregnancies — are leaving their practices. The departures may result in new maternity care deserts, or areas that lack any maternity care, and they are placing strains on physicians like Dr. Gustafson who are left behind. Restrictive abortion laws, experts say, are making that problem much worse. “This isn’t an issue about abortion,” said Dr. Stella Dantas, the president-elect of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. A temporary order issued by a federal judge also permits abortion in some circumstances when a woman’s health is at risk.

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Persons: obstetricians, Gustafson, ”, Stella Dantas, Roe, Wade Organizations: American College of Obstetricians, Doctors Locations: Texas , Oklahoma, Tennessee, Idaho