Katrina Kimport, PhD, notes how clinicians can support pregnant patients facing delays in care

In the video interview with Contemporary OB/GYN, Katrina Kimport, PhD, professor in the Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health program at the University of California, San Francisco, discussed how clinicians can support pregnant patients experiencing delays in care, particularly in the context of increasing legal restrictions on abortion.

She highlighted that these changes have significantly impacted the practice of obstetric medicine, limiting clinicians’ ability to use their training to prevent serious health harms. In situations where continuing a pregnancy could exacerbate a patient’s condition, or where a fatal fetal diagnosis has been made, clinicians may advise patients to travel to states where abortion remains accessible. However, this option is often inaccessible for many because of financial burdens, logistical challenges such as childcare, and the inability to miss work. As a result, many patients are forced to wait until their condition worsens to a point where intervention is legally permitted.

Kimport emphasized that clinicians should maintain transparency with their patients about available options and resources, including abortion funds and travel assistance. For patients facing imminent health risks, travel may not be safe or feasible, and the only option is to wait while being closely monitored. In these cases, clinicians should also offer connections to emotional and mental health support, as the psychological impacts of being denied care—such as grief, anger, shame, and distrust of the health care system—can be long-lasting.

Regarding further research, Kimport stressed the need to focus on patient-centered outcomes. While existing studies have mostly examined the issue from the clinician’s perspective, she called for more research into how patients themselves experience delays and denials of care. Understanding the broader effects, both health-related and emotional, on patients and their families is crucial. These insights will help paint a fuller picture of the consequences of restricted access to abortion and essential obstetric care, providing evidence that can inform future policy and support systems.

This video is part 2 of a 2-part series. Click here for part 1.

No relevant disclosures.

Reference

Kimport K, Kaller S. Not actively dying: An inductive categorization of obstetric cases negatively affected by post-Dobbs abortion bans. Contraception. 2025. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2025.111043