Dilation and evacuation is the most common technique used for second-trimester abortion. Pre-operative dilation of the cervix with the use of osmotic dilators decreases the risk of complications, and evidence-based research supports their use. Dilators remain in place for hours, often overnight, and expand; hence many women require overnight analgesia. Prescribing patterns are variable: women ...Read more >

This is a prospective cohort study comparing the change in mean hair cortisol concentration of women at baseline and 6 months after initiating levonorgestrel and copper intrauterine devices.

This is a mixed methods study involving a cross-sectional questionnaire, and in-depth interviews, among women of reproductive age presenting for MR or PAC in urban family planning clinics in Bangladesh.  Upon presenting for care, consenting women will be asked to participate in a survey assessing the patient’s demographics, area of residence, personal and community beliefs ...Read more >

Background: Residents often receive abortion training in hospital-based settings; however, freestanding abortion clinics are a uniquely different setting, as there may be only one physician (and no anesthesiologist or registered nurse, RN). Prospective freestanding clinic providers have knowledge gaps related to handling rare emergencies and performing tasks that are typically done by RNs in larger ...Read more >

Justification: North Carolina is one of 19 states that chose not to expand Medicaid after passage of the Affordable Care Act. Lack of insurance may be most stark for mothers who qualify financially for Medicaid during their pregnancies and find themselves without coverage in the postpartum period. In North Carolina women lose eligibility for coverage ...Read more >

Despite recent improvements the US still has the highest rate of teen pregnancy among high-income countries. Teen pregnancy and childbirth cause significant immediate and long-term socioeconomic burden and health disparities for teen parents and their children. In 2010, teen pregnancy and childbirth cost the United States $9.4 billion taxpayer dollars. Long acting reversible contraceptives, including ...Read more >

Background: Contraceptive counseling at the time of abortion is a typical practice for many abortion providers due to the perception that women are highly motivated to use contraception at this time. When asked, nearly 2/3 of women do not want to discuss birth control at the time of abortion. In addition, some women perceive pressure ...Read more >

Mixed methods study exploring patient preferences for contraceptive education methods, designing a contraceptive education tool, and trialing that tool compared to CHOICE model counseling.

Background: In an effort to change community-level abortion stigma (public attitudes) about abortion, many reproductive health organizations promote campaigns that encourage people who have had abortions to tell their stories through video or in writing. However, we lack empirical data on whether abortion storytelling reduces community-level abortion stigma. Objective: To assess the impact of viewing ...Read more >

Background: Substance use disorder is a diagnosis that encompasses a constellation of behaviors surrounding the use of an addictive substance that may result in severe physical, social, or psychological impairment. Substance use disorder is common in the United States; over 40% of those affected are women. Upon entering recovery for substance use disorder, women may ...Read more >