Perilous Pregnancies: Health Care for Undocumented Migrant Women in the EU (2020)

A report by the Center for Reproductive Rights on the barriers in access to affordable maternal health care for undocumented migrant women in the European Union.

International public health guidelines stipulate that reducing maternal mortality and morbidity requires states to guarantee universal and equitable access to affordable and quality maternal health care throughout pregnancy. Despite this, in 16 European Union (EU) member states, undocumented migrant women’s access to affordable maternal health care throughout pregnancy is undermined or denied because of laws and policies that directly, or indirectly, prevent them from accessing free or subsidized care.

This report describes these laws and policies and sets out a series of recommendations for member states. In particular, it details the manner in which these laws and policies may impede or prevent undocumented migrant women from accessing early, regular and appropriate antenatal care. This sharply increases the risk of poor maternal health outcomes, obstetric emergencies, and pregnancy related complications during childbirth.

Read the Perilous Pregnancies here or download below.