Partner Consent for Participation in Women's Reproductive Health Research

Number 307

(Reaffirmed 2008)

ABSTRACT: Recent advances in reproductive medicine include treatment of subfertility as well as investigation of agents that may serve as both contraceptives and potential prophylaxis against sexuall...

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Women's Health

Number 317

ABSTRACT: Significant racial and ethnic disparities exist in women's health. These health disparities largely result from differences in socioeconomic status and insurance status. Although many dispa...

Maternal Decision Making Ethics and the Law

Number 321

ABSTRACT: Recent legal actions and policies aimed at protecting the fetus as an entity separate from the woman have challenged the rights of pregnant women to make decisions about medical interventio...

ACOG President Advises Against Unnecessary Obstacles for Women Needing Ultrasound

Washington, DC -- Ultrasound is a safe and important tool in women's prenatal and gynecologic care, and Congress should not pass legislation that could delay women's access to diagnosis and treatment...

Statement of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists On the FDA's Approval of OTC Status for Plan B®

Washington, DC -- In light of the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision to approve over-the-counter (OTC) status for Plan B® emergency contraception (EC) for women age 18 and older, Th...

ACOG Files Amicus Brief in Gonzales v. Carhart and Gonzales v. PPFA

Washington, DC -- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has filed an amicus brief in support of the challenges to the federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003. The Unit...

Breastfeeding: Maternal and Infant Aspects

Number 361

ABSTRACT: Evidence continues to mount regarding the value of breastfeeding for both women and their infants. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists strongly supports breastfeeding an...

Medical Futility

Number 362

(Reaffirmed 2008)

ABSTRACT: The construct of medical futility has been used to justify a physician's unilateral refusal to provide treatment requested or demanded by a patient or the family of a patient. It is importa...

Patient Testing Ethical Issues in Selection and Counseling

Number 363

(Reaffirmed 2012)

ABSTRACT: Recommendations to patients about testing should be based on current medical knowledge, a concern for the patient's best interests, and mutual consultation. In addition to establishing a di...

ACOG Statement on the US Supreme Court Decision Upholding the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003

Washington, DC -- Despite the fact that the safety advantages of intact dilatation and evacuation (intact D&E) procedures are widely recognized—in medical texts, peer-reviewed studies, clin...

Contraception — A Basic Health Necessity

San Diego, CA -- Ob-gyns today addressed the critical need for increased insurance coverage of contraceptive services for women in the US at a news conference during the 55th Annual Clinical Meeting ...

ACOG Issues Guidelines for Research Involving Women

Washington, DC -- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) today reiterated its position on the critical importance of including women in research trials. In a committee opinion...

Research Involving Women

Number 377

ABSTRACT: All women should be presumed to be eligible for participation in clinical studies. The potential for pregnancy should not automatically exclude a woman from participating in a clinical stud...

The Limits of Conscientious Refusal in Reproductive Medicine

Number 385

(Reaffirmed 2010)

ABSTRACT: Health care providers occasionally may find that providing indicated, even standard, care would present for them a personal moral problem—a conflict of conscience—particularly in the field ...

Ethical Decision Making in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Number 390

(Reaffirmed 2010)

ABSTRACT: Physicians vary widely in their familiarity with ethical theories and methods and their sensitivity toward ethical issues. It is important for physicians to improve their skills in addressi...

Surgery and Patient Choice

Number 395

ABSTRACT: Acknowledgment of the importance of patient autonomy and increased patient access to information has prompted more patient–generated requests for surgical interventions not necessarily reco...

ACOG Revises Opinion on Cord Blood Banking

Washington, DC -- Physicians should give balanced information to their pregnant patients who are considering cord blood banking, presenting both the advantages and disadvantages of public vs. private...

End-of-Life Decision Making

Number 403

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this Committee Opinion is to discuss issues related to end–of–life care, including terms and definitions, ethical principles, legal constructs, physician–patient communicatio...

The Uninsured

Number 416

(Replaces No. 308, December 2004)

ABSTRACT: The United States is one of the few industrialized nations in the world that do not guarantee health care for their populations. Access to health care for all women is of paramount concern ...

New HHS Regulation Poses Threat to Women's Health

Washington, DC -- According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a new regulation proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) could limit women's acces...

At-Risk Drinking and Illicit Drug Use Ethical Issues in Obstetric and Gynecologic Practice

Number 422

(Replaces No. 294, May 2004)

ABSTRACT: Drug and alcohol abuse is a major health problem for American women regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, and age. It is costly to individuals and to society. Obstetric...

Motivational Interviewing: A Tool for Behavior Change

Number 423

(Reaffirmed 2012)

ABSTRACT: Applying the principles of motivational interviewing to everyday patient interactions has been proved effective in eliciting "behavior change" that contributes to positive health outcomes a...

Abortion Access and Training

Number 424

ABSTRACT: Despite a decrease in abortion rates over the past decade, numerous political, social, and provider barriers limit access to abortion services. Barriers include state restrictions and manda...

Health Care for Undocumented Immigrants

Number 425

ABSTRACT: Undocumented immigrants are less likely than other residents of the United States to have health insurance. Their access to publicly funded health programs has become increasingly limited s...

Same-Sex Couples and Their Families Should Have Same Legal Protections and Benefits as Married Heterosexuals

Washington, DC -- Today The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued a position in full support of same-sex couples receiving the same federal and state legal protections enj...