Abstract

Objective: To collect data in regards to:

women's experience of/desire for emotional support and information when faced with an unplanned pregnancy;

women's desire for counselling to support their decision-making, and the kind of counselling they want.

Methodology:

6593 women received an email invitation to complete the online survey.

2003 responded.

1022 had experienced an unplanned pregnancy, therefore qualifying.

Participating women were of reproductive age, drawn nationally.

Key findings published in November 2006.

Summary of results:

At any given time amongst a sample of women of reproductive age, just over half (51%) have experienced an unplanned pregnancy.

75% of women did not wish to speak to a counsellor before making a decision on how to proceed with an unplanned pregnancy.

Parenting was the most (56%) and adoption the least (2%) popular choice for resolving an unplanned pregnancy.

81% of women said it was important that a pregnancy counsellor refer for all three options - abortion, adoption and parenting.

21% of women sought information to assist their decision-making from their spouses/partners/biological father, while their local GP was the port of call for 17% of women facing an unplanned pregnancy. 13% of women stated that they did not need to seek any additional information to assist with their decision-making.

Conclusion:

Unplanned pregnancy is a key health issue for Australian women.

While pregnancy counselling should be available to women, it would be mistaken to see it as desired or required in all circumstances and it should be regulated.

There is a need for increased resources to be directed towards lowering contraceptive failure rates, and greater access to sexual health services.