Reasons Pregnant People May Need an Abortion
Employers need to be aware of the range of reproductive health needs their employees may have — this way, they can support and protect their workforce.
The most common non-medical reasons that pregnant people seek abortions include financial concerns, timing, partner-related considerations, and the need to care for existing children. 64% of surveyed women who sought an abortion cited more than one of these motivations. However, birthing parents may also need the procedure for medical reasons, also called termination for medical reasons (TFMR).
Here are some medical conditions that can cause a fetus to become non-viable (unable to survive) or threaten the life of the pregnant person, presenting health reasons for abortion:
Ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg attaches anywhere in the reproductive system other than the uterus (most commonly, a fallopian tube). A fertilized egg can’t survive outside the uterus and can cause life-threatening blood loss if left untreated.
Severe pre-eclampsia. Severe pre-eclampsia is the development of dangerously high blood pressure in the birthing parent after 20 weeks of pregnancy, which restricts blood flow to the fetus. In some cases (though not all), this can end the viability of the fetus, put the pregnant person’s life at risk, or both.
Premature or preterm premature rupture of membranes. The premature rupture of membranes (PROM) or preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) occurs when the amniotic sac containing the fetus breaks open well before it should. PROM and PPROM can happen in a number of ways and cause multiple complications. These include infections that endanger both parent and baby, severely premature birth affecting the viability of the fetus, and more.
Underlying life-threatening conditions. Sometimes a birthing parent can have serious underlying conditions, such as heart disease or cancer, that cannot be treated during pregnancy. When these conditions are life-threatening, terminating the pregnancy may be the only way to save the parent.
Employers can help protect the reproductive health of women and parents who experience pregnancy complications by providing employees with high-quality health insurance and other health benefits.
Protect Reproductive Health with the Pro Repro Playbook
Pro Repro equips businesses—particularly SMEs, middle-market companies, and non-profits—with strategies to protect the reproductive health of the 75 million American workers who can become pregnant.
Spearheaded by Gender IDEAL, we support and advocate for the advancement of women’s economic empowerment, worker rights, and workplace equity. We have created a variety of resources so that companies can ensure the economic security and reproductive health protections of their extended workforce. Download the Pro Repro Playbook for free today!