Background: Mifepristone did not “revolutionize” access to abortion in the ways originally anticipated. However, in the 17 years since its approval it has changed the face of abortion care, potentially in ways that have increased access. In 2014, nearly-one third of abortions were early medication procedures, and 26% of clinic facilities provided only early medication ...Read more >

Background: The Mifeprex® Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) requires that the drug be dispensed only in a clinic, office, or hospital, despite the lack of evidence that this improves safety. In a recent survey of obstetrician-gynecologists (Ob-Gyns), we found that only 14% provided medication abortion, but an additional 15% said they would provide it ...Read more >

Background: While medication abortion has the potential to expand abortion access, barriers persist. One such barrier may be locating a provider. Research has shown that individuals commonly use the internet to self-refer for abortion services. However, we have previously shown that the quality of information available online for abortion self-referral is low, and it is ...Read more >

Background: Current approaches to pain management are inadequate for both aspiration and medication abortion. Our recent placebo controlled trial found that an easily taught auricular acupuncture protocol led to much lower maximum pain during aspiration abortion compared to usual care (median scores 39.5 versus 71 on a 100-point Visual Analog Scale). The intervention also substantially ...Read more >

Background: There is global consensus that there is benefit to providing Rh immune globulin in the third trimester to prevent immune sensitization and consequent pregnancy complications, however, evidence to guide management of Rh-negative women in the first trimester bleeding is lacking. Our preliminary data indicate that women undergoing abortion in the first trimester are exposed ...Read more >

Background: This project will build upon existing training resources to develop and pilot a free, online, training resource titled “Medication Abortion in Primary Care.” This training will be designed to meet the needs of general Internists, and other primary care providers who may not be comfortable performing intrauterine procedures. By providing clinicians a continuing medical ...Read more >

Background: Access to safe abortion is declining in the US—especially in the Southeast—and Black, Latinx, and/or lower income women experience disproportionate barriers to abortion care and increased risk for unintended pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, and maternal mortality. Medication abortion has the potential to improve access for marginalized and high-risk women. SisterLove, Inc., a community-based reproductive justice organization ...Read more >

Anna Chatillon is a doctoral candidate in sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara concentrating on reproduction, race, gender, and intersectionality. Her research traces the connections among reproductive healthcare policy and provision, women’s organizing, and intersecting structures of marginalization. Prior to entering graduate school, Anna worked as the Director of Policy and Advocacy for ...Read more >

Subasri (Suba) Narasimhan completed her PhD in Community Health Sciences at the University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health where she was a Bixby Doctoral Fellow, Child and Family Health Trainee, and a Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Development Pre-Doctoral Trainee. Her MPH in Maternal and Child Health ...Read more >

Alexandra Calderon is a second year medical student at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine. As a Spanish-speaking, first-generation Latina immigrant, Alexandra looks forward to becoming a clinician able to provide comprehensive health care, including reproductive health services, to underserved families. Alexandra completed her BA in English Literature at the California State University, ...Read more >