Caring for Women Experiencing Reproductive Coercion

Reproductive coercion is behavior that interferes with a woman's decision making regarding reproductive health. It may consist of contraception sabotage and/or pressure to either carry a pregnancy to term or to have an abortion. Reproductive coercion may coexist with intimate partner violence and be associated with higher rates of unintended pregnancy. Midwives and other women's health care providers can play an integral role in identifying reproductive coercion and implementing harm-reduction strategies.