The difficult process of autonomous choice: using I-poems to understand experiences of abortion-seekers in The Netherlands

Figures & data

Table 1. Participant characteristics⁷

	Participants’ characteristics (N = 20)*	Frequency
Nationality/Ethnicity	Dutch	12
	Dutch bi-cultural	4
	Non-Dutch (Surinam, South Africa, UK)	4
Residence	In 4 largest cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht)	11
	Smaller cities and rural areas	9
Religion	None	14
	Catholic	4
	Hindu	1
	Muslim	1
Education	Higher professional or university education	16
	General or (pre)-vocational secondary education	4
Age at time of abortion	15–19 years	1
	20–24 years	5
	25–29 years	10
	30–35 years	4
Parity	0	14
	1	2
	2	1
	>2	3
Previous abortions	0	17
	1	2
	2	1
Type of abortion**	Medical	6
	Surgical <12 weeks	12
	Surgical >12 weeks	0
Abortion location	Abortion clinic	19
	Hospital	1

*18 abortion-seekers identified as female, 2 as non-binary.

**one participant had a spontaneous miscarriage and one participant chose to continue the pregnancy.

Table 2. Coding tree: list of themes, categories and main codes

Overarching themeThe process of autonomous choice is difficult
Theme 1 Complicated decision making Doubt -Doubted suitability of partner -Partner had different opinion -Comply with partner’s opinion -Not ready for a child -Family complete -No doubt Shame -Do/don’t share with others -Afraid of other people’s opinions -Reaction family/friends -Shame 2nd abortion -Only stupid people -Don’t burden others -Anti-abortion protesters Need for support -Need for guidance -Feeling vulnerable -Vulnerable position -(no) Support partner -Do/don’t tell partner -Lonely during and after	Theme 2 Slowed by obstacles in policy and care (Un)satisfied with health care -General Practitioner inadequate -Anger -Having to justify oneself -Unpleasant treatment -Having to be pushy -Accessible care -Respectful care Waiting makes it harder -Wanting an abortion asap -The longer pregnant, the harder it is -Having to wait -5-day reflection period -Long clinic waiting time -Routine ultrasound -Anxiety surrounding ultrasound -Seeking reassurance in ultrasound -Panic -Fear	Theme 3 Not knowing what to expect Bodily functions -Happy with / proud of pregnant body -Pain and blood loss -Losing the embryo -Complications The procedure -Insufficient information -Untrustworthy websites -Choices to be made in the clinic -Atmosphere in the clinic -Sadness

Holten L, de Goeij E, Kleiverda G. Permeability of abortion care in The Netherlands: a qualitative analysis of women’s experiences, health professional perspectives, and the internet resource of Women on Web. Sex Reprod Health Matters. 2021;29(1). doi:10.1080/26410397.2021.1917042.

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Data availability statement

Due to the nature of this research, participants of this study did not agree for their transcripts of the interviews to be shared publicly, therefore supporting data are not available.