A recent study indicates a noticeable increase in women attempting to terminate their pregnancies on their own through various methods, including herbal remedies, alcohol consumption, and self-harm to the abdomen. The research involved surveying reproductive-age women in the U.S. both before and after the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court in June 2022, revealing a rise in self-induced abortion attempts from 2.4% to 3.3%.
Dr. Grace Ferguson, an OB-GYN and abortion provider from Pittsburgh, noted the trend of individuals taking matters into their own hands. Published in the journal JAMA Network Open, the study conducted by researchers surveyed approximately 7,000 women pre-decision and a subsequent group of 7,100 post-decision, inquiring about any instances of attempting to end a pregnancy independently.
Lead author of the study, epidemiologist Lauren Ralph from the University of California, San Francisco, emphasized that despite the small increase in self-induced abortions, the data points to a potential significant number of women resorting to such methods. Women mentioned reasons such as seeking more privacy, concerns over the cost of clinic procedures, and a preference to handle their pregnancies on their own initially.
Various techniques were reported, ranging from herbal medicines to self-administered abortion pills and even dangerous actions like self-inflicted harm. Complications such as bleeding and pain were documented among respondents, leading some to seek medical attention or proceed to a clinic for a formal abortion. Others experienced cessation of their pregnancies from their efforts or through subsequent miscarriages.
Ralph highlighted some limitations of the study, including potential under-reporting due to the sensitive nature of the topic. She also emphasized the importance of understanding how participants interpreted the survey questions, especially post the Dobbs decision, to ensure accurate data interpretation.
The study’s findings underscore the repercussions of limiting formal abortion access, pushing individuals towards informal and potentially risky methods, according to Ferguson. The research received funding from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and an anonymous third foundation.
