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Second trimester abortion provision: breaking the silence and changing the discourse
1Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women's Studies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, USA. lhharris@med.umich.edu
Reproductive Health Matters
|September 17, 2008
Summary
Abortion providers face complex decisions regarding late-term abortions, influenced by personal, ethical, and visceral responses to fetal development. Openly discussing these challenges can strengthen abortion care and the pro-choice movement.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Reproductive Health
- Psychology of Healthcare Providers
Background:
- Abortion providers navigate complex factors when determining gestational limits for services.
- Legal, training, and socio-political influences are recognized, but personal and psychological aspects are less explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the personal, psychological, and ethical factors influencing abortion providers' decisions on gestational limits.
- To argue for a more open discourse regarding the complexities of second-trimester abortions.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of factors influencing provider decisions on late-term abortions.
- Exploration of provider self-censorship regarding difficult aspects of abortion procedures.
Main Results:
- Providers grapple with visceral responses to fetal development and ethical concerns regarding second-trimester abortions.
- Fear of legitimizing anti-abortion arguments leads providers to censor discussions about these difficult aspects.
Conclusions:
- Silence on the challenging aspects of second-trimester abortion harms providers, the pro-choice movement, and patients.
- Honest, pro-choice discourse acknowledging the nature of abortion procedures can strengthen abortion care, including for second-trimester services.
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