Repeat Abortion in the United States

Publication Date: November 2006

Publisher: Guttmacher Institute

Author(s): Rachel K. Jones; Susheela Singh; Lawrence B. Finer; Lori F. Frohwirth

Research Area: Health

Type: Report

Abstract:

Among women having abortions in the United States, about one-half have already had a prior abortion. This indicator, the level of repeat abortion has attracted attention, sometimes negative: Women having a repeat abortion may be perceived as having difficulty practicing contraception, as lacking motivation to prevent unintended pregnancy, as using abortion as a method of family planning, or as being different from other women in more fundamental ways, such as ability to
become pregnant and exposure to risk of pregnancy. In truth, however, little is known about U.S. women who
have repeat abortions.