Your story matters. Share your experiences and help us understand what kind of care you’d like to receive.
We are inviting Black people capable of pregnancy to participate in a confidential interview. We would like to learn more about your decision-making related to abortion care.
The interview will be with a member of the research team and will last about 1 hour. It will take place virtually online with Zoom, which you can access with your mobile device or computer. Those who are eligible and complete an interview will be paid for their time.
Want to learn more? Click here.
You can also contact the research team directly via e-mail: reproequityactionlab@wisc.edu
Dr. Tiffany Green (she/her) is leading this research. She is a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why are we doing this research?
Our research team honors people’s stories. Research rarely centers the experiences of Black people and we hope to change that by hearing from Black people directly.
We believe that all people deserve high-quality reproductive health care, including abortion. We hope to learn from people’s experiences to help generate positive change.
What is research?
Research is a careful investigation of a specific question or topic. There are many forms of research and many ways research can be conducted.
This research study uses interviews to gather information on Black people’s experiences related to abortion.
By learning about people’s thoughts, opinions, and experiences, we will identify key themes and recommendations to improve reproductive health care and abortion care for Black people.
Who is leading this research?
Dr. Tiffany Green (she/her) is leading this project. She is a professor at University of Wisconsin – Madison.
Meet the other members of our team:
- Dr. Laura Swan (she/her)
- Klaira Lerma (she/her)
- Dr. Jane Seymour (she/her)
What will I be asked to do if I participate?
We want to learn more about decision-making related to abortion care. If you are eligible for the study, we will invite you to participate in an interview. An interview is a private conversation between you and a member of our team. These interviews will last about 1 hour and will happen over Zoom, a virtual video call. You can choose not to answer any of the questions and can stop the interview at any time. We will record the audio. The recordings will be deleted once we listen to the audio and write down what was said. We will keep your answers confidential and will not share personal information about you with anyone outside the research team.
Can I participate confidentially?
Yes. Our team does everything we can to protect your privacy. Here are some of the ways:
- We never share your name or anything that could be used to identify you.
- We destroy your contact information after you’re done completing research tasks (unless you want us to stay in touch).
- We delete the audio file of your interview after we write down what you said.
- We store your data in a very secure way to make sure no one can access it except the research team.
What happens to my data?
Audio recordings will be made of the interview. Only the researchers will have access to these recordings. The researchers or someone hired by the researchers will listen to the recording and write down what people said during the interview. The written copy is called a transcript. The transcript will be saved but the recording will be destroyed. No information that could identify you will be included in the transcript.
What will you do with what you learn from participants?
We will share what we learn with community members, academics, and policymakers. By sharing what we learn, we hope to support existing community health goals and highlight opportunities for improved alignment between healthcare providers, policymakers, and those who participate in our research.
If you participate, you will be given an option to receive copies of reports we write about what we learn.
What are the risks and benefits?
You may not directly benefit from participating in the study. However, people who have participated in similar research have said they appreciated the opportunity to:
- share their stories;
- help others going through a similar situation;
- advocate for their needs;
- support research;
- and be part of improving systems, such as healthcare.
The risks of participating could include:
- being uncomfortable talking about sensitive topics (but you don’t have to answer any questions you don’t want to);
- a risk of loss of privacy or confidentiality (however, we do everything we can to eliminate this risk).
If you have questions or concerns, we are available! Please email us: bopps_obgyn@wisc.edu
I still have questions. Who should I contact?
Please reach out by e-mail: reproequityactionlab@wisc.edu
Resources for Potential Participants
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Emotional Support Resources
A Home Here: Post-Abortion Community Circles
Run by the Chicago Abortion Fund and open to all people who have had abortions. Monthly check-ins with mindfulness/meditation practices and facilitated discussion to share and listen to abortion experiences.
https://www.chicagoabortionfund.org/afteryourabortion
All Options
Peer counseling available for callers within the US who are seeking support about past or current experience with abortion, adoption, parenting, infertility or pregnancy loss. Call or text support available at 1-888-493-0092.
Connect & Breathe
Free non-judgmental space to discuss abortion experiences with support from staffed trained professionals. Talk and text line available at 1-866-647-1764.
https://www.connectandbreathe.org/
Ending a Wanted Pregnancy
Peer-led resource for those who decided to end a pregnancy due to poor prenatal diagnosis or for maternal health reasons. They offer online, private grief support groups.
https://endingawantedpregnancy.com/
Exhale Pro-Voice
A text line to connect with free non-judgmental post-abortion support, available in the US and Canada. Text 617-749-2948 for support.
Faith Aloud
An All-Options program that provides free spiritual and religious counseling from trained counselors for folks seeking support with pregnancy, miscarriage, and abortion. Call or text available at 1-888-717-5010.
Post Abortion Truth & Healing (PATH)
PATH, operated by Texas Equal Access (TEA) Fund, provides a space for confidential emotional support for folks that have had abortions through group interactions and engagements. Connect with the PATH group at 844-TEA-FUND (844-832-3863).
https://teafund.org/emotional-support/
Reprocare Healthline
Emotional peer-based support for those in the process of managing their abortion at home with pills operated by Abortion On Our Own Terms. Support is available by call or text and in English and Spanish. Call or text 833-226-7821.
Reproductive Health Hotline (ReproHH)
A free, confidential phone service for healthcare providers with questions on sexual and reproductive health staffed by University of California San Francisco clinicians. Call 1-844-ReproHH (1-844-737-7644).
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
RESOLVE provides support to people facing infertility and family building challenges. Visit their website to learn more about peer-led and professional-led support groups, helpline, and online support community.
Postpartum Support International
This organization provides support to people facing mental health issues during or after pregnancy. Services are available in English and Spanish. Call 800-944-4773 for support in English or Spanish. Text in English: 800-944-4773. Text en Español: 971-203-7773.
Advocacy Resources
Advocates for Youth: Abortion Out Loud
A campaign aimed at connecting abortion storytellers with policymakers with focus on improving access to abortion in the US. Learn how to share your story on the website.
https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/abortion-out-loud/abortion-out-loud-abortion-storytelling/
Ending a Wanted Pregnancy
Peer-led resource for those who decided to end a pregnancy due to poor prenatal diagnosis or for maternal health reasons. They collect stories to support others going through similar situations. Email endingawantedpregnancy@gmail.com for more information.
https://endingawantedpregnancy.com/
Shout Your Abortion
An organization that focuses on normalizing and centering voices and experiences of folks who have abortions. Advocacy campaigns target destigmatizing abortions across the US. Learn how to share your story on the website.
https://shoutyourabortion.com/
We Testify
An organization led by abortion storytellers dedicated to centering the experiences of folks who have had abortions in public narratives and media. Learn how to share your story on the website.