Women self-inducing abortion has been documented in many parts of the world, especially regions where women do not have access to safe and legal abortion care.  In the U.S., clinicians and advocates are noting a similar trend, especially among immigrant women.  This raises concerns about the safety, legal rights and access to abortion and other reproductive health services for women who are self-inducing, however, the implications of self-induced abortion within the U.S. are largely unknown.

What if more was known about self-induced abortion and what it means for healthcare providers, advocates and, most importantly, women?  What if all women could consistently access abortion in a safe, supportive environment?

AAP’s work around self-induced abortion acts on the belief that women deserve access to the safest possible abortion care. Our goal is to better understand and address the needs and experiences of women who are choosing to self-induce abortion. We co-convene a working group to create a forum for shared learning and discussion on the practice. We are also partnering with the Center for Reproductive Rights to investigate the various legal implications associated with self-induced abortion and some of the medications commonly used to achieve this. Our research complements demographic research being conducted by our working group partners.  Once completed, efforts will help prepare reproductive health care providers and community advocates to respond to this seemingly growing practice, and to support improved access to safe abortion for all women.

AAP is one of the organizations leading the U.S. response to self- induced abortion.  This timely and collaborative project that expands understanding of this emerging trend is one of the many ways AAP is using innovative solutions to address gaps in abortion access.