Pain and pain management experiences for procedural abortion among patients with sickle cell disease: A community-informed qualitative study
Abortion
Awarded 2026
Emerging Scholars in Family Planning
Kayla Blair, MD, MPH
University of California, San Francisco
$7,500

Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) who become pregnant are at higher risk of pregnancy loss and maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Additionally, some studies have found higher rates of unintended pregnancy in this population, which may be due to limited hormonal contraceptive options in the setting of SCD and thromboembolic risks. Due to the presence of severe anemia, it may be often safer for patients with SCD to undergo procedural management of abortion rather than medication management. Despite the likelihood of procedural management of abortion in patients living with SCD, there are limited studies investigating how these patients may experience pain during and after their procedure. For these reasons, pregnant patients with SCD are an important but significantly understudied group in their experiences with abortion management, particularly when considering the multiple intersecting systems of oppression these patients may face when accessing abortion care. There are no studies centering the voices of patients with SCD in order to hear directly about their abortion care experiences. This proposed qualitative study aims to comprehensively understand experiences and needs for procedural abortion management in patients living with SCD. Recruitment of patients as well as development and facilitation of interviews will be completed in collaboration with SCD-focused community-based organizations. The ultimate goal of the study will be to elevate the voices of patients with SCD and to directly translate their experiences into patient-centered and justice-informed strategies for optimizing pain management for procedural abortion for patients living with SCD.