New data presented to New Mexico’s lawmakers this week shows that mental illness, particularly substance abuse, was the single biggest factor behind pregnancy-related deaths in the state between 2018 and 2023.
To be sure, The Land of Enchantment does offer an abundance of programs to assist those impacted by substance misuse at any level. However, many populations, including pregnant women, continue to fall through gaps in the system. Indeed, the findings underscore an urgent need for accessible addiction treatment for pregnant and postpartum women, many of whom aren’t getting help in time.
The New Data in New Mexico
The New Mexico Department of Health’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee presented the figures Monday to a legislative health committee. They reviewed 74 pregnancy-related deaths that occurred over the six-year period. Mental illness and co-occurring disorders, including suicide, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder, accounted for nearly 42% of those deaths. Infections followed at roughly 16%, with heart-related illness and hemorrhage or other injuries each responsible for about 10%.
“Mental health conditions, especially substance use disorders, remain the most significant contributing factor to maternal mortality and the most common underlying cause of death,” NMDOH Chief Medical Officer Miranda Durham told lawmakers.
New Mexico’s pregnancy-related mortality rate has actually dropped sharply since the pandemic, falling from 149.6 per 100,000 live births in 2021 to 24.2 by 2023. This decline of nearly 84% brought the state back toward pre-pandemic levels. Still, the review committee found more than 97% of the 74 deaths in that period were preventable, and more than 75% of the women who died had no prenatal care or unknown prenatal care.
Substance Use Disorder in Pregnancy
Substance use disorder during pregnancy involves the same physical and psychological dependence seen in any addiction, complicated by the added medical stakes of a pregnancy. Even smoking marijuana or other cannabis use can lead to birth defects and health risks.
Common signs include continued use despite awareness of pregnancy, withdrawal symptoms, difficulty reducing use, and using substances to manage stress or trauma. Pregnant women often face additional barriers to seeking help, including fear of legal consequences or losing custody of their child, which can discourage them from getting prenatal care at all.
A Policy Debate Over Removing Newborns
The new data reflects a broader political fight in New Mexico. Several Democratic lawmakers on the interim Health and Human Services Committee criticized Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s 2025 order requiring state officials to take immediate custody of newborns exposed to drugs or alcohol in the womb. Committee Chair Rep. Liz Thomson expressed worry the policy will push mothers with addictions to avoid prenatal care entirely to keep custody of their babies. State Sen. Linda Lopez believed the state’s resources would be better spent supporting mothers and babies rather than separating them.
A spokesperson for the governor relayed the administration stands behind the policy. They frame it as a safety measure that also gives parents room to recover.
The review committee’s own recommendations point toward expanding post-birth support, additional screenings, and expanded services for high-risk families in the period surrounding birth. The goal is to remove self-doubt and other stigmas, rather than separation alone.
Addiction Treatment in New Mexico & Beyond
For pregnant women or new mothers in New Mexico with substance use, treatment options exist. Look for those designed specifically around specific needs, including programs that coordinate prenatal care with addiction treatment.
Our experts and services can help. Our online directory lists that offer specialized care for pregnant and postpartum women, since early treatment engagement is directly tied to better outcomes for both mother and child.
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