Demystifying Self-Managed Abortion

Explicit content warning

06/29/21 • 30 min

4 Listeners

When many people hear the term ‘self-managed abortion,’ they may think unsafe abortion or pre-Roe v. Wade methods of terminating a pregnancy. Nowadays, self-managed medication abortion is extremely safe, effective, and can be done in the comfort and privacy of one’s own home. Erin Matson, Executive Director of Reproaction, sits down to talk with us about the myths, barriers to care, and the actions folks can take around self-managed abortion.

Self-managed abortion refers to when somebody ends their pregnancy outside of a medical setting. “The World Health Organization (WHO) has put misoprostol on the list of essential medicines and created a protocol for how women may manage their abortion with misoprostol without direct provider supervision.” Many choose to end their pregnancies outside of clinic settings due to immigration status, fear of being misgendered or patronized by clinic staff, or fear of protestors.

Despite the fact that medication abortion has been approved by the FDA for over 20 years, providers who wish to dispense medication abortion have to jump through extra logistical hoops to do so. Patients themselves face an in-person dispensing requirement, meaning they have to be physically handed the medications by their doctor rather than picking them up at a pharmacy (during the pandemic, the Biden administration has repealed that rule so that folks can access medication abortion through telemedicine and not expose themselves unnecessarily to COVID-19). The FDA has also announced that it will be conducting a formal review of the restrictions set in place for medication abortion.

Abortion pill “reversal” is an unsubstantiated claim that a medication abortion can be reversed with progesterone. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says there’s no evidence that this procedure is effective. It’s misinformation like this, though, that permeates the public understanding of abortion and erects more barriers to care.

Links

Reproaction on Twitter

Reproaction on Facebook

Reproaction information on self-managed abortion

What do Bridges, Roads, and Abortions Have in Common? – article by Erin Matson

How to Spot a Fake Clinic

Take Action

You can follow Reproaction on Twitter and Facebook and stay up-to-date on their work.

Educate yourself on how self-managed abortion works! You can start by checking out Reproaction’s information

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Thanks for listening & keep fighting back!

Links

Reproaction on Twitter

Reproaction on Facebook

Reproaction information on self-managed abortion

What do Bridges, Roads, and Abortions Have in Common? – article by Erin Matson

How to Spot a Fake Clinic

Take Action

You can follow Reproaction on Twitter and Facebook and stay up-to-date on their work.

Educate yourself on how self-managed abortion works! You can start by checking out Reproaction’s information

Find Intersectionality Matters where ever you get your podcasts: https://pod.link/1441348908

Support the show

Previous Episode

End the Global Gag Rule: Pass Global HER Now

1 Recommendations

The Global Gag Rule has been intermittently preventing global communities from accessing comprehensive healthcare for the last 37 years. This Global Gag Rule Repeal Week of Action, it’s important to recognize that ending this harmful policy is extremely urgent. Rebecca Dennis, Senior Legislative Policy Analyst at PAI, sits down to update us on the Global Gag Rule, the impacts it has had around the world, and what we can do to make sure it is repealed once and for all.

The Global Gag Rule is an executive-level policy that has existed under every Republican presidential administration since Ronald Reagan, but was vastly expanded under Donald Trump. The policy under Trump withheld global health assistance funding from foreign NGOs unless they agree to not use any of their own, non-U.S. funding to provide abortions or any information, education, counseling, or referrals for abortion care. This was a huge expansion compared to under previous administrations where it only applied to family planning funding. To learn more about the history of the Global Gag Rule, find our podcast episode here!

The Global Gag Rule has prevented people around the world from accessing sexual and reproductive health care, maternal and child health care, HIV testing and treatment, tuberculosis and malaria testing and treatment, and nutrition programs. It has limited which commodities—including methods of contraception—can reach communities, and caused organizations to have to end entire programs. The rule has also restricted outreach to hard-to-reach communities, including young people, LGBTQI+ people, and those living in very rural areas or refugee camps.

For many years, the policy only applied to U.S. family planning and reproductive health programs. But after the Trump administration’s entry into the Oval Office in January of 2017, one of their first executive actions included re-instating and massively expanding the Global Gag Rule to impact all U.S. global health assistance funding. This expansion went above and beyond USAID, ultimately impacting programs in the State Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The administration expanded it a second time, changing the interpretation of the policy and forcing organizations that were complying with the policy to ensure that any of their partnerships were complying, as well even if they did not get any impacted U.S. health funding.

In January of 2021, the Biden-Harris administration repealed the Global Gag Rule. Despite this momentous step, the policy is not a light switch that can be turned on and off. Many organizations who did not comply with the rule now have to wait until there are additional funding opportunities with the U.S. government, while some are concerned that the policy might return and interrupt their work, again. Even beyond all of this, clinics have closed, and staff have been laid off around the world due to this rule.

Congress has the

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Next Episode

From Communion to the Courts: Reproductive Health and the Catholic Church

1 Recommendations

Reproductive health and the Catholic church have been heavily featured in the current news—from the Fulton v. Philadelphia Supreme Court case to the U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops moving to deny President Joe Biden, who is Catholic, the sacrament of communion. Jamie Manson, President of Catholics for Choice, talks to us about these recent instances of the Catholic Church’s reach over sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The Fulton v. Philadelphia Supreme Court case involved Catholic Social Services, a foster care center, which was contracted with the city of Philadelphia. The city upheld non-discrimination laws which prohibiting it from contracting with discriminatory social services agencies. Catholic Social Services expressly stated that they would not engage in any services with same-sex couples or unmarried couples, leading the city of Philadelphia to sever its contract and Catholic Social Services to sue the city under the first amendment. Ultimately, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of Catholic Social Services in an extremely narrow ruling.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has been in animus with current President Joe Biden’s support of abortion rights and policy, even though President Biden is a devout and practicing Catholic. Since the day his Presidency was called, the bishops have been outspoken against his administration. In November, the bishops established a special committee to explore the confusion that Biden’s status as a pro-choice Catholic president could create within the church. The committee voted to create a document that bans Catholic and pro-choice elected officials from receiving the holy sacrament of communion. The U.S. Conference of Bishops will vote on the passage of this document in November and will need a two-thirds majority vote for success.

Links

Catholics for Choice on Twitter
Catholics for Choice on Facebook

More Information on Fulton v. Philadelphia

How Your Catholic Hospital is Restricting Your Care Podcast Episode

Take Action

Follow Catholics for Choice on Facebook and Twitter here.

You can write to Bishops who have spoken out against the move to restrict communion from pro-choice elected officials. You can also write to President Biden and Catholic Congresspeople and thank them for their support of abortion rights.

You can also learn more about Catholic hospitals here, and listen to Jamie Manson’s last podcast episode on Reproductive Rights, LGBTQ+ Rights, and the Catholic Church

Find Intersectionality Matters where ever you get your podcasts: https://pod.link/1441348908

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rePROs Fight Back - Demystifying Self-Managed Abortion

Transcript Summary

In this episode of the "Fight Back" podcast titled "Demystifying Self-Managed Abortion," host Jenny Wetter explores various important topics related to reproductive health, rights, and justice. She delves into the recent revelations of reproductive coercion and human rights violations in the conservatorship hearing of Brittany Spears. Wetter also highlights the significance of discussing disability justice and reproductive justice. The episode emphasizes the safety and effectiveness of self-managed abortion through pills, debunking misconceptions and myths surrounding this option. Logistical barriers, including FDA restrictions, are discussed, and positive changes made by the Biden administration regarding telemedicine and abortion pill restrictions are addressed. As the pandemic has raised awareness about abortion and its options, the importance of accurate information and demystifying abortion is emphasized. The episode debunks the false theory of "abortion reversal" and exposes the use of misinformation and anti-science rhetoric by abortion opponents. Highlighting the legal consequences that could arise if Roe v. Wade is weakened or overturned, the episode emphasizes the need for education and advocacy at the state level to protect access to medication abortion. Overall, this informative episode underscores the importance of recognizing abortion as an integral part of public health conversations and the progressive movement.

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:04.919

Welcomes reprots fight back a podcast where we explore all things, reproductive health, rights, and justice. I'm your host, Jenny wetter. And I'll be helping you stay informed around issues like birth control, abortion, sex, education, and LGBTQ issues, and much, much more giving you the tools you need to take action and fight back. Okay. Let's dive in.

Speaker 100:00:31.530

Hi refroze . How's everybody doing? I'm

Demystifying Self-Managed Abortion Top Questions Answered

How can abortion be demystified in society?

Abortion can be demystified in society by providing education and information about the procedure, including medication abortion and self-managed abortion.

What is the primary feeling reported by people after having an abortion?

The primary feeling reported by people after having an abortion is relief.

What policy changes are needed to improve access to medication abortion?

Policy changes that can improve access to medication abortion include removing FDA restrictions and providing financial incentives for healthcare providers to offer abortion pills.

What is "abortion reversal"?

"Abortion reversal" is a concept created by anti-abortion opponents, but there is no scientific evidence to support its effectiveness.

How do abortion opponents spread misinformation?

Abortion opponents spread misinformation through various means, including spreading false claims about abortion and using unethical practices to harass individuals seeking abortion care.

What are the risks if Roe v. Wade is overturned or gutted?

If Roe v. Wade is overturned or gutted, the primary risk would be legal consequences for individuals seeking abortions, particularly affecting people of color, young people, and those with low incomes.

How can individuals take action to support increased access to medication abortion?

Individuals can take action by advocating for increased access to medication abortion, educating themselves about self-managed abortion, and getting involved in activism at the state level.

What is an example of reproductive coercion?

An example of reproductive coercion is when Brittany Spears' conservators prevented her from removing her IUD, which violated her reproductive rights.

How do disability justice and reproductive justice intersect?

There needs to be a conversation about how disability justice and reproductive justice intersect to address the unique needs and experiences of individuals with disabilities in relation to reproductive healthcare.

What is self-managed abortion?

Self-managed abortion refers to the practice of ending a pregnancy outside of a medical setting using abortion pills.

Are abortion pills safe and approved by the FDA?

Yes, abortion pills are safe and effective, and they have been approved by the FDA.

What are some common misconceptions about self-managed abortion?

Some common misconceptions about self-managed abortion include the beliefs that it is unsafe, unseemly, and only used as a last resort.

What are some logistical barriers to self-managed abortion?

Some logistical barriers to self-managed abortion include restrictions on obtaining abortion pills outside of the medical system.

What changes has the Biden administration made regarding in-person dispensing requirements for abortion pills?

The Biden administration has temporarily suspended in-person dispensing requirements for abortion pills, and the FDA is currently reviewing the restrictions.

Why does the anti-abortion movement fear abortion pills?

The anti-abortion movement fears abortion pills because they are safe, effective, and cannot be easily stopped, making them a viable option for individuals seeking to end a pregnancy.