Women now account for 26% of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in the US, with 80% of those infections caused by heterosexual transmission. As women with HIV live longer lives and have access to lifesaving antiretroviral therapy, their fertility desires have been found to be similar to those of women without HIV. Women who may have ...Read more >

This pilot project will explore the experiences of workers who directly perform and assist with abortion work at a Midwest Planned Parenthood affiliate, and evaluate a self-care intervention designed for them. In general, the physicians, nurses, counselors and surgical assistants who do abortion work are inspired by feminist ideals and their deep desire to make ...Read more >

In the United Kingdom, guidance from the Department of Health and Royal College of Nursing encourages “sensitive disposal” of fetal tissue after pregnancy loss, stating that individuals should be given verbal and written information on their options and the ability to participate in shared decision-making about management of fetal remains. This guidance was developed in ...Read more >

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the safety of two routes and doses of digoxin before later second-trimester abortion by dilation and evacuation through an assessment of maternal systemic digoxin absorption, cardiac rhythm and coagulation parameters. Study Design: Pregnant women at between 19 and 23 weeks’ gestation received either 1.5 mg digoxin ...Read more >

Background: American adolescents are at higher risk for pregnancy than adolescents in other industrialized nations. Most know how to obtain and use contraceptives and deny they want babies. However, many do not use contraception because they are either ambivalent or indifferent about pregnancy. These states can develop in two different situations: when young women feel ...Read more >

In 2002, there were 1.29 million induced abortions in the US. Indeed, induced abortion has been cited as the most common surgical procedure in the US. Because of its commonality, clinicians who provide this service are sometimes faced with the dilemma of performing a surgical procedure on women who are anticoagulated. While first trimester surgical ...Read more >

This study examines the impact of state parental involvement laws on pregnant minors who seek abortions, focusing on the laws’ effect on fetal gestational age at the time of the procedure. The study uses a regression discontinuity design to analyze individual-level data on induced abortions reported to the National Center for Health Statistics by 14 ...Read more >

Mistimed pregnancy in diabetics may lead to significant health risks. Although good glycemic control prior to pregnancy can ameliorate these risks, most diabetic pregnancies start with suboptimal glucose control. Pregnancy planning requires effective contraceptive use. Little is known about contraceptive decision-making by diabetic women, and barriers to contraceptive use they face. Women from minority populations ...Read more >

Background: The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), Mirena, which prevents pregnancy for 5-7 years, has been determined to be highly effective, safe and well tolerated in the majority of users. Acceptability studies of the LNG-IUS in Zimbabwe have not been completed. Zimbabwean women have a need for access to long-term contraception that is safe, effective and ...Read more >

Reproductive health service providers, community-based organizations and women’s health and rights advocates in the US have become increasingly aware of the use of misoprostol to self-induce abortion outside of the clinic setting. Abortion self-induction has been reported predominantly among immigrant women, particularly those from Latin America and the Caribbean, but anecdotal reports suggest that US-born ...Read more >