Factors Shaping Women's Pre-abortion Communication with Their Regular Gynecologic Care Providers

To understand women's experiences communicating with their regular gynecologic care provider about abortion decision making before obtaining an abortion at a dedicated abortion clinic.

Semistructured interviews were conducted with women presenting for first-trimester surgical abortion at a high-volume, hospital-based abortion clinic. Women were asked whether and why they did or did not discuss their abortion decision with their gynecologic care provider. Interviews were transcribed and computer-assisted content analysis was performed; salient themes are presented.

Thirty women who obtained an abortion were interviewed. A majority of the 24 women who had a regular gynecologic care provider did not discuss their decision with that provider. Themes associated with not discussing their decision included: 1) perceiving that the discussion would not be beneficial, 2) expecting that gynecologic care providers do not perform abortions, 3) anticipating or experiencing logistical barriers, and 4) worrying about disrupting the patient-provider relationship. Women who did discuss their decision primarily did so because the pregnancy was diagnosed at the time of a previously scheduled appointment and generally did not believe that their provider performed abortions.

For many women, seeking counsel from a regular gynecologic provider before seeking an abortion may not afford a significant benefit. However, some women express concerns with regard to seeking abortion counselling from their regular provider. These concerns underscore the need for gynecologic providers to foster patient-provider relationships that allow women to feel comfortable discussing all aspects of their reproductive health.