More abortion restrictions were enacted across the United States (US) between 2011-2013 than in the entire previous decade. Supporters of legislation restricting abortion access claim these laws are necessary to ensure the safety of abortion services and the health of women. However, abortion in the US is already safe. The mortality rate from 2000-2009 was 0.7 ...Read more >

Postpartum contraception to promote birth spacing and prevent unwanted pregnancies is important but under-utilized. A key time for contraceptive initiation is at the postpartum visit, but this is traditionally scheduled for 6 weeks postpartum, after many women return to fertility and lose pregnancy-related health insurance. This creates barriers to accessing long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), including ...Read more >

Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants are becoming more popular among young people, but do not protect against sexually transmitted infections, which disproportionately impact this group. The purpose of this study was to understand the factors and influences that impact dual method contraception in adolescent and young adult women using ...Read more >

Background Cervical preparation prior to second trimester surgical abortion can reduce complications including hemorrhage and cervical laceration. Overnight osmotic dilators provide greater cervical dilation and may enable faster dilation and evacuation procedures than same-day cervical preparation. However, studies have consistently shown a strong patient preference for completing all abortion related procedures on the same day. ...Read more >

Background:  Over one million spontaneous abortions, or miscarriages, occur in the United States every year.  Despite knowing that almost half of pregnancies overall are unintended, there has been little previous research into the pregnancy intentions, future family planning goals, and contraceptive counseling preferences of women experiencing miscarriage.  Objectives:  1. Find the overall prevalence of unintended ...Read more >

Surgical abortion can provide an important opportunity to start contraception, but the most effective contraceptive methods are underused.  Structural barriers, such as clinic flow, device stocking, and insurance reimbursement, have historically limited access to post-abortion long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), which includes the intrauterine device and the subdermal implant.  In addition, patients may be poorly informed ...Read more >

For a woman seeking an abortion, an informed, timely, non-judgmental referral from a general clinician has the potential to expedite care and assist the woman in navigating a complicated and tumultuous landscape.  However, it is unclear from the currently available literature whether general practitioners have either the knowledge or willingness to make meaningful abortion referrals, ...Read more >

Background Although studies have shown that several different antibiotic regimens are effective in preventing peri-abortal infection, no research has compared the side effects and patient tolerability of these regimens. Insufficient evidence exists to recommend any one medication over another.  Azithromycin 500 mg, doxycycline 200 mg, and metronidazole 500 mg are recommended for use before abortion ...Read more >

We propose a novel use of oral gabapentin administered in conjunction with local anesthesia via paracervical block for first surgical abortion.  The use of gabapentin in the setting of abortion has never been evaluated; however, it is used routinely and successfully in several similar surgical settings as an adjunct to pain management regimens.  It is ...Read more >

Fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH) is blood mixing between fetus and mother during sensitizing events. Anti-D immunoglobulin is administered in Rh-negative women to prevent isoimmunization. Dosing guidelines differ across countries. UK and US have differing dosing schemes. Little is known about the FMH occurring with dilation and evacuation. There is a resource and cost savings incentive to ...Read more >