Imagining Coat‐Hangers and Pills
A Qualitative Exploration of Abortion Beliefs and Attitudes in Hostile Policy Contexts in the United States
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6444912 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Rosalyn Schroeder (0000-0002-0206-7781, University of California, San Francisco, corresponding author), Lori R Freedman (0000-0002-7919-9520, University of California, San Francisco), Andréa Becker (0000-0002-7948-4276, University of California, San Francisco), Chris Ahlbach (0000-0001-7520-5324, University of California, San Francisco), M Antonia Biggs (0000-0002-3904-3177, University of California, San Francisco) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 57 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 25-35 |
| Publication date | 2025-01-09 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1538-6341 • E-ISSN: 1931-2393 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/psrh.12289 |
| PMID | 39789658 |
| OpenAlex | W4406254540 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 58 |
Objective We explored awareness of and attitudes about the safety of various methods people use to attempt to end a pregnancy without medical assistance, which we refer to in this study collectively as self‐managed abortion (SMA). Methods In 2020, we invited individuals living in eight United States (US) states considered “hostile” to abortion rights or with a history of criminalizing abortions performed outside the formal healthcare system to participate in semi‐structured telephone interviews regarding their attitudes toward these practices. We analyzed coded transcripts for content and themes. Results We interviewed 54 individuals. Participants perceived methods of ending a pregnancy on one's own to have a high potential for complications, often evoking “coat hanger” abortions. Participants also frequently referenced methods such as physical trauma, herbs, teas, alcohol, or other drugs. Very few participants reported awareness of medication abortion pills. When asked about the safety of SMA in the context of self‐sourcing these medications, participants considered pills safer and more acceptable than other SMA methods, while still fearing incorrect use and complications. Others believed that SMA could offer greater reproductive autonomy, less stigma, and a safer physical and psychological experience than facility‐based abortion care. Conclusion In 2020, most participants perceived SMA as involving unsafe practices and did not include use of medication abortion pills. Future research should document how beliefs and attitudes have been influenced by the expansion in telemedicine provision of medication abortion, the implementation of new state abortion bans, and the promulgation of Shield Laws
Abortion · Context (archaeology · Environmental health · Family medicine · Family planning · Pill · Population · Pregnancy · Qualitative research · Unsafe abortion · Homicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Reproductive Health and Contraception · Reproductive Health and Technologies
When Abortion Was a Crime
Arrests of and Forced Interventions on Pregnant Women in the United States, 1973–2005
Medicalization as a social good? Lay perceptions about self-managed abortion, legality, and criminality
Experiences seeking, sourcing, and using abortion pills at home in the United States through an online telemedicine service
Hangers, Potions, and Pills
Connecting Knowledge about Abortion and Sexual and Reproductive Health to Belief about Abortion Restrictions
State-Mandated (Mis)Information and Women's Endorsement of Common Abortion Myths
Abortion Stigma
Towards a better understanding of abortion misinformation in the USA
Exploring Attitudes About the Legality of Self-Managed Abortion in the US
The Growing Importance of Self-Managed and Telemedicine Abortion in the United States
Locating Autonomous Abortion Accompanied by Feminist Activists in the Spectrum of Self‐Managed Medication Abortion
Conceptualising abortion stigma
Doctors of conscience
Emotions and decision rightness over five years following an abortion
Information and power
From Reproductive Rights to Reproductive Barbie
Support for criminalization of self-managed abortion (SMA)
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |