The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) asserts that abortion is never medically necessary to save a mother's life. The organization advocates for laws distinguishing abortion from emergency medical procedures.
According to AAPLOG, the term "abortion" should be reserved for procedures intentionally performed to result in a dead fetus, not for emergency interventions aimed at saving the mother's life. AAPLOG argues that most life-threatening conditions during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia or placental abruption, can be managed by separating the mother and child through induction or cesarean without directly causing fetal death. Dr. Donna Harrison, AAPLOG’s Director of Research, emphasized that even in emergencies, intention matters, and abortion as commonly defined is never required to save a woman’s life.
AAPLOG explains that most critical maternal health conditions occur after fetal viability, generally after 20 weeks when survival outside the womb is possible. The organization notes that treatments such as early delivery can protect the mother while offering the child a chance at survival. According to AAPLOG, the claim that abortion is necessary in such cases stems from a misunderstanding—or misrepresentation—of medical options prioritizing both lives.
AAPLOG addresses ectopic pregnancy specifically and affirms that standard treatments—including methotrexate administration or laparoscopic removal—do not constitute abortions under either medical or ethical definitions. The organization argues that labeling these procedures as abortion is inaccurate and politically motivated, especially following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision. Harrison noted that both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and Planned Parenthood changed their definitions online to blur the distinction between life-saving medical care and elective abortion.
The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) is a nonprofit professional medical organization founded in 1973 representing thousands of healthcare professionals committed to preserving both maternal and fetal life. Originally formed as a special interest group within the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, AAPLOG now operates independently with a mission to promote evidence-based, life-affirming medicine. According to its mission page, AAPLOG educates the public, lawmakers, and the medical community on issues related to abortion, maternal health, and bioethics from a pro-life perspective.
