Things you could say to patients experiencing reproductive coercion

These are direct quotes from women talking about what they want from health practitioners.

Validate the patient’s experience. Additionally, practitioners could say:

“What you are describing sounds like “reproductive coercion”. This is when someone tries to deliberately control your decisions about pregnancy, contraception or termination. It is a form of abuse and it is not ok.”

“It may feel like you have no choice, but we can support you to either have a termination or continue with pregnancy. Support is available either way.”

“It may feel like you have no choice, but we can support you to either have a termination or continue with pregnancy. Support is available either way. ”

“It‘s your body, it‘s your choice but I understand you‘ve got lots of pressures that impact your decision.”

“ Being forced to have a termination doesn’t make you a bad person. ”

“Just because you had a termination in the past doesn‘t mean you won‘t be a good mother now.”

“You can be a good mother and still have a termination. Mothers have to make termination decisions too. ”

“Parenting can be really hard. It’s not unusual to feel resentful of your kids sometimes, especially if it wasn’t your choice to become a parent. ”

“Society often presents motherhood as joyful and natural, but it can be really hard to bond with your child when a partner has controlled your pregnancy.”

Things you could do to support patients experiencing reproductive coercion

The CARE principles apply here Additionally, practitioners could:

• Talk about how it’s normal to have conflicting thoughts and emotions about the relationship and mothering.

• Provide information or referral to a relevant support group.

• Ask the woman about what she thinks the motivation of the partner is for her to be pregnant. If it is part of a control pattern she might be at greater risk for her safety.

• Explore contraceptive options that may be less detectable by a partner.