Pregnancy options counseling

Abstract

Purpose of ReviewThis article reviews key aspects of pregnancy options counseling, and highlights how inappropriate counseling can create barriers to timely and safe abortion care.Recent FindingsAccess to safe abortion services in the United States is increasingly constrained. One way to combat this hostile environment is to ensure that individuals presenting for care early in pregnancy have access to comprehensive and unbiased pregnancy options counseling. There are unfortunately many barriers to individuals receiving adequate pregnancy options counseling, and marginalized groups experience disproportionate effects of inappropriate counseling. Research shows that individuals desire appropriate pregnancy options counseling when seeking early pregnancy care, and that providers often serve as a barrier to this care. Provider miseducation and opposition to pregnancy options counseling, particularly as it concerns abortion care, creates challenges and delays for people seeking abortion services. Crisis Pregnancy Centers use misinformation to further these barriers to appropriate care.SummaryNondirective and patient-centered pregnancy options counseling is standard of care. People seeking pregnancy options counseling desire and deserve comprehensive and accurate information. Providers must not serve as barriers to safe and appropriate care. Increasing nondirective pregnancy options counseling research, education, and training is crucial to ensuring access to safe and appropriate abortion care.

Editorial: Updates in contraception and abortion care: turbulence, upheaval, and chaos, but keeping calm and continuing to care

“…Finally, and returning almost full circle to what is usually the first clinician–client interaction on the spectrum of abortion care and pregnancy options counseling, Owens and Shorter, provide an in-depth review of the options-counseling literature [8]. They conclude that the counseling literature demonstrates both consensus and clarity on a number of key points.…”

“…They justifiably conclude that 'medication abortion follow-up does not have to be a ''one size fits all'' protocol and should align with the comfort, logistical ability, and values of the client [7].' Finally, and returning almost full circle to what is usually the first clinician-client interaction on the spectrum of abortion care and pregnancy options counseling, Owens and Shorter, provide an in-depth review of the options-counseling literature [8]. They conclude that the counseling literature demonstrates both consensus and clarity on a number of key points.…”