A randomized, double-blind, three arm trial at a single abortion clinic that will assess whether auricular acupressure with beads in addition to usual care (paracervical block and ibuprofen) reduces subject-reported maximum pain compared to usual care alone. We also seek to confirm the previous finding that acupuncture with needles as an adjunct to usual care ...Read more >

The Flint Water Crisis exposed its citizens to contaminants of lead, fecal bacteria and legionella. We will examine the reproductive health outcomes of Flint women who were pregnant during 2014-2018 and use Flint as its own historical control. We will examine miscarriage, abortion, live birth and pregnancy rates. We will also conduct interviews with reproductive ...Read more >

  Much research exists to support the provision of medication abortion in primary care settings. Studies have demonstrated that medication abortions provided by family physicians is safe, effective, and acceptable. In addition, integration of abortion care into routine family practice allows patients to avoid potential harm caused by security measures, protesters and the social stigma ...Read more >

The Lacto-Rod study is a research project that seeks to comprehend the effect of the etonogestrel implant hormonal contraceptive on breastfeeding when it is initiated early in the postpartum period. The planned non-inferiority randomized controlled trial (RCT)  will enroll women who plan to deliver at the University of New Mexico Hospital, who want to use ...Read more >

Options for women with pregnancies complicated by previable PPROM include expectant management or termination of pregnancy, either via dilation and evacuation or induction termination. Much research has focused on neonatal outcomes, but there is little data to provide guidance for counseling women about maternal risk after previable PPROM. Women who deliver near the limits of ...Read more >

A mixed methods study of US-born Black or African American Women age 18 to 45 years recruited via social media and community outreach in Boston, Massachusetts. In the quantitative, survey portion of the study, we will ask questions regarding demographic characteristics, pregnancy history including intendedness, STI history, contraceptive use including condoms, and attitudes towards long-acting ...Read more >

According to the National Survey on Family Growth, 8% of women relied solely on coitus interruptus, or withdrawal, in 2014 for pregnancy prevention. Although survey revisions were introduced, this prevalence represented an increase from 5% in 2008. As patients increasingly report the use of withdrawal, providers need to be knowledgeable about the method to counsel ...Read more >

In 2017, medication abortion accounted for 39% of all induced abortions. However, pain remains a predictable and significant feature of medication abortion and is frequently cited as one of its worst features. Given that unacceptable numbers of patients still report severe pain despite currently available options for medical pain management, there is a need to ...Read more >

Community-level abortion stigma manifests when a group of people ascribe negative attributes to people who seek, obtain or are associated with abortion care. Although not well studied, community-level abortion stigma plays a critical role in the social, medical, and legal marginalization of abortion care and is reflected in the amount of support that members of ...Read more >

This qualitative study will explore abortion providers’ perspectives about self-managed medication abortion (SMMA) in the United States (US). Background: Recent studies have documented that 4-11% of ever-pregnant women in the US have attempted to end their pregnancy without formal medical assistance. Further, an unpublished national survey indicates that 23% of women are interested in some ...Read more >