The number of women who have died from ectopic pregnancies has increased significantly in recent years, according to a recent analysis by ProPublica using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study found that nearly 200 women died from ectopic pregnancies between 2020 and 2025, compared to about 100 in the previous six years. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, most often in the fallopian tube. If not treated quickly, this condition can lead to severe internal bleeding and be life-threatening. Experts say that with timely medical care, these deaths should be extremely rare. Dr. Alice Abernathy, an OB-GYN in Philadelphia, described ectopic pregnancy-related deaths as a "never event," meaning they should never occur with proper care. However, the recent increase has raised concerns about the impact of state restrictions on abortion, which may be affecting access to essential treatment for ectopic pregnancies. ProPublica’s analysis found a growing divide in ectopic pregnancy death rates between states with strict abortion bans and those without. While the rise in deaths occurred nationwide, the increase has been more pronounced in states that banned abortion after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. In states with strict abortion bans, the rate of ectopic pregnancy deaths increased to 13.1 per million live births between 2023 and 2025, compared to 7.1 per million in states without such bans. Patients in these states have described challenges in receiving timely care. Kyleigh Thurman, whose fallopian tube ruptured in Texas in 2023, said she was sent home from two emergency departments without proper treatment. Leitaea Lowrimore of Oklahoma was denied treatment for an ectopic pregnancy at multiple hospitals before being treated in Kansas, where abortion is legal. The analysis also found that 310 more patients in Texas experienced substantial blood loss after an ectopic pregnancy in 2023 and 2024 compared to 2018 and 2019, an increase of about 29%. Similar trends were observed in other states, though data from states without abortion bans is still being analyzed. In response to the reported increase in deaths, Texas passed the Life of the Mother Act in 2025, which explicitly added ectopic pregnancies to the list of allowed abortions. However, new guidance from the Texas Medical Board has not fully addressed the challenges of diagnosing ectopic pregnancies early, leaving uncertainty about the legal protections for doctors. Experts suggest that the rise in ectopic pregnancy deaths may be linked to delays in care caused by abortion bans, as well as gaps in research, training, and awareness about ectopic pregnancies. Federal agencies have not publicly responded to the increase in deaths, despite having access to the same data. Funding cuts and staff reductions at the CDC have also hindered efforts to investigate the issue and improve maternal health outcomes.