Nurses’ Role in Abortion Care

September 18, 2024

Abortion access is fraught for a many, from increased digital surveillance of people seeking abortion care to the criminalization of pregnancy. Less discussed are the issues involved when someone finally accesses an abortion. Is their care high-quality and comprehensive? Who’s supporting them before, during, and after?

In a recent article, Sarah DiGregorio points our attention to the importance of healthcare professionals, including nurses, who provide abortion care. As DiGregorio notes, though a doctor or other advanced practice provider can help someone obtain an abortion, nurses play an “overlooked and underleveraged” role.

Nurses are critical at each stage of abortion care: they counsel people on their options of types of abortions and the pros/cons of each, manage pain and monitor vital signs during an abortion, and explain options for contraception or fertility afterward. Without nurses, clinics simply “can’t function.” A full team of healthcare professionals – one that includes nurses and their expertise – is often key to ensuring someone receives adequate care.

We at the Woodhull Freedom Foundation firmly believe that abortion is a fundamental human right, inextricable to the struggle for sexual freedom. We join DiGregorio and countless other advocates in recognizing that the right to an abortion involves the right to high-quality, comprehensive care.