Research & other work

Patient Ultrasound Viewing Project

Ultrasound viewing in the abortion setting has received more attention in recent years as states have passed regulations mandating specific ultrasound procedures. Anti-abortion groups and legislators advocate for ultrasound viewing laws based on the hypothesis that women who view their own ultrasounds are less likely to have an abortion than women who do not. Reproductive rights advocates have opposed these regulations citing concerns about the impact of such laws on women's abortion experience, the law's potential contribution to personifying the fetus and drawing attention away from the experiences of women, and the cost to providers for adhering to new guidelines. Due to diverse laws and opinions, different providers have different practices for addressing ultrasound viewing during the abortion appointment.

The Patient Ultrasound Viewing Project will explore and document patient ultrasound viewing practices among abortion providers in the United States. Through interviews with 30 diverse abortion providers and ethnographic observation at 10 abortion practices, we intend to describe the range of approaches to and philosophies about ultrasound viewing in the context of abortion care. We will generate a confidential report summarizing the findings of our policy review, provider interviews and field research to be shared with the reproductive health community.

As a second step, the Ultrasound Project will draw together a multi-disciplinary team of social scientists and clinicians to design a quantitative research project on the clinical and psychological effects of various approaches to ultrasound viewing in the abortion care context. Outcomes of interest may include how such ultrasound viewing practices impact women's pregnancy decision making and their overall abortion experience.

This research is funded by the Society of Family Planning.

The Patient Ultrasound Viewing Project will explore and document patient ultrasound viewing practices among abortion providers in the United States.