A Qualitative exploration of the impact of abortion restrictions on people with high risk pregnancies in Georgia

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to understand the barriers people with high risk pregnancies living in a restrictive US state face while attempting to access abortion care.

Study design

We conducted a qualitative study using semistructured virtual interviews with Georgia residents experiencing a high risk pregnancy and attempting to access abortion care. We recruited using flyers distributed at multiple health care facilities in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as an out-of-state clinic. The interviews focused on the participant’s pregnancy experience, abortion-seeking journey, and impact of Georgia’s restrictive laws. We transcribed, coded, and analyzed the interviews and present a subset of themes.

Results

We interviewed 19 people from January 2023 to February 2024. Participants described their pregnancies as “high risk” for a wide range of reasons and often described a lack of understanding of how HB481 would impact their ability to access abortion care in Georgia. They discussed ways in which they felt their specific abortion was necessary and should qualify for care. As participants attempted to access abortion care post-HB481, many described feeling betrayed and abandoned by the government, health care system, their individual support networks, and even God and/or the universe. Participants also shared how HB481 exacerbated their suffering as they attempted to navigate the “best” of multiple “bad” options available to them.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that, even when abortion bans include exceptions, people who see their pregnancies as high risk face barriers that ignore their medical circumstances, have adverse impacts even when care is received, leave patients feeling alone, and exacerbate suffering during already challenging times.

Implications

Our study furthers the understanding of how abortion bans affect people who see their pregnancies as high risk and highlights gaps in public knowledge about the impact of Georgia’s law. These results can be used to demonstrate the impact of abortion restrictions on people with a variety of “high risk” pregnancies and counter common political and public narratives that legal exceptions allow people to access needed care.