Unintended Pregnancy
RESEARCH
Pregnancy Intentions and Mental Health Study
Researchers at the UCSF Bixby Center are conducting a study to understand and document the mental health consequences of unintended pregnancy. This study explores the experiences and outcomes of women who suspect pregnancy and seek a pregnancy test. We will follow women who have a positive pregnancy test as well as those who have a negative result to examine the effect of pregnancy and pregnancy intentions on women’s mood, mental health, and decision-making. Although our primary focus is on women’s experiences, we will also gather information about the health and wellbeing of children born to women who have a positive test result and continue their pregnancies.
The Study of Pregnancy Intentions and Mental Health (PIMH) has four major aims:
- To understand the effects of women’s mental health, including mood, anxiety and depression, on their desire for and ability to make decisions about pregnancy and contraception.
- To assess the impact of unintended pregnancy on women’s mental health.
- To evaluate the relationship, if any, between mental health status and decisions to continue or terminate unintended pregnancies.
- To document the physical and psychological responses to abortion compared to carrying an unintended pregnancy to term.