Multiple abortion restrictions have been passed in Wisconsin targeting providers in the state, including a mandatory ultrasound viewing law. In 2013, Wisconsin implemented a state law requiring abortion providers to display and describe the ultrasound image prior to a woman’s abortion procedure. The law also included state-mandated information be read to the woman about the development of the fetus.
This type of law is gaining in popularity in other states as well, but there is no existing literature examining how mandatory ultrasound viewing laws impact women having abortions. Several studies assess the impact of allowing the woman to view her ultrasound, but none measure the impact of requiring that viewing, as Wisconsin now does. We are working with Doug Laube, MD at the University of Wisconsin to examine the impact of mandatory ultrasound viewing on women.
Key Findings
Study Objectives
- To determine whether requiring providers to display and describe the ultrasound image results in a change in women’s likelihood of proceeding to the abortion.
- To understand women’s experiences with being required to view their ultrasound images and the process of viewing.
Study Design
This study will have two components: quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative component will use data abstracted from medical records to determine whether or not being required to view the ultrasound image changes women’s likelihood of proceeding to the abortion. Specifically, we will compare the proportion of women who proceeded to an abortion before implementation of the law, compared to the proportion of women who proceeded to an abortion after implementation of the law. For the qualitative portion, we will conduct in-depth interviews with women about their experiences with viewing their ultrasounds under the law.