title: What can obstetrician/gynecologists do to support abortion access?
abstract: Unsafe abortion causes approximately 13% of all maternal deaths worldwide, with higher rates in areas where abortion access is restricted. Because safe abortion is so low risk, if all women who needed an abortion could access safe care, this rate would drop dramatically. As women's health providers and advocates, obstetrician/gynecologists can support abortion access. By delivering high-quality, evidence-based care ourselves, supporting other providers who perform abortion, helping women who access abortion in the community, providing second-trimester care, and improving contraceptive uptake, we can decrease morbidity and mortality from unsafe abortion.
authors.affiliation: Ipas, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. Electronic address: marka@ipas.org.
authors.forename: Alice G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Mark
authors.affiliation: Ipas, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Merrill
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.affiliation: Ipas, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Edelman
authors.affiliation: Ipas, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Castleman
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000592:standards*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D063130:Maternal Death / Q000517:prevention & control; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000592:standards*; D011247:Pregnancy
keywords: Abortion; Maternal mortality; Mifepristone; Misoprostol