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Reproductive Health| Volume 28, ISSUE 4, P327-332, July 2018

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Exploring Canadian Women's Multiple Abortion Experiences: Implications for Reducing Stigma and Improving Patient-Centered Care

      Abstract

      Background

      Roughly one-third of all abortions in Canada are subsequent abortions. However, few published reports showcase women's voices or explore women's experiences on this topic. Our study aimed to understand better the ways that women who have had multiple abortions talk about and view those experiences.

      Methods

      Between 2012 and 2016, we conducted in-depth interviews with 41 Canadian women who had a total of 87 abortions in the 5 years preceding the interviews. We audio-recorded and transcribed all English- and French-language interviews and analyzed our data for content and themes using a multiphased iterative approach and inductive and deductive techniques.

      Results

      Women described their abortion experiences as unique life events, even in cases when the overarching circumstances surrounding the pregnancies were similar. Participants recalled multiple factors that influenced their decisions to terminate, including their relationship status; level of support from family and friends; financial situation; health status; previous reproductive health, pregnancy, and abortion experiences; and desire to parent. In general, a previous abortion demystified the abortion process but did not play a significant role in decision making. Women described intensified feelings of shame and both internalized and externalized stigma surrounding their decision to have more than one abortion. However, the overwhelming majority were confident in their decisions.

      Conclusions

      The often-used phase “repeat abortion” fails to capture women's experiences and the complex decision making surrounding each pregnancy. Efforts to reframe the narrative of multiple abortions, including among health care providers, could help reduce the amplified stigma associated with having more than one lifetime abortion.
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      Biography

      Kathryn J. LaRoche, PhD(c), MSc, is a PhD Student in Population Health at uOttawa. Her research centers on improving access to high-quality, nonjudgmental abortion care in Canada and abroad.

      Biography

      Angel M. Foster, DPhil, MD, AM, is the 2011–2016 Endowed Chair in Women's Health Research at uOttawa. She received her DPhil from the University of Oxford and her MD from Harvard Medical School. Her research focuses on emergency contraception, abortion, and health professions education.