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A good abortion experience: A qualitative exploration of women's needs and preferences in clinical care

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  • Altshuler, Anna L.
  • Ojanen-Goldsmith, Alison
  • Blumenthal, Paul D.
  • Freedman, Lori R.

Abstract

What do women ending their pregnancies want and need to have a good clinical abortion experience? Since birth experiences are better studied, birth stories are more readily shared and many women who have had an abortion have also given birth, we sought to compare women's needs and preferences in abortion to those in birth. We conducted semi-structured intensive interviews with women who had both experiences in the United States and analyzed their intrapartum and abortion care narratives using grounded theory, identifying needs and preferences in abortion that were distinct from birth. Based on interviews with twenty women, three themes emerged: to be affirmed as moral decision-makers, to be able to determine their degree of awareness during the abortion, and to have care provided in a discreet manner to avoid being judged by others for having an abortion. These findings suggest that some women have distinctive emotional needs and preferences during abortion care, likely due to different circumstances and sociopolitical context of abortion. Tailoring services and responding to individual needs may contribute to a good abortion experience.

Suggested Citation

  • Altshuler, Anna L. & Ojanen-Goldsmith, Alison & Blumenthal, Paul D. & Freedman, Lori R., 2017. "A good abortion experience: A qualitative exploration of women's needs and preferences in clinical care," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 109-116.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:191:y:2017:i:c:p:109-116
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.09.010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Namey, Emily E. & Lyerly, Anne Drapkin, 2010. "The meaning of "control" for childbearing women in the US," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(4), pages 769-776, August.
    2. Simonds, Wendy & Ellertson, Charlotte & Springer, Kimberly & Winikoff, Beverly, 1998. "Abortion, revised: participants in the U.S. clinical trials evaluate mifepristone," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 46(10), pages 1313-1323, March.
    3. Joffe, C., 2013. "The politicization of abortion: And the evolution of abortion counseling," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(1), pages 57-65.
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    1. Altshuler, Anna L. & Ojanen-Goldsmith, Alison & Blumenthal, Paul D. & Freedman, Lori R., 2021. "“Going through it together”: Being accompanied by loved ones during birth and abortion," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).

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