People who access abortion are increasingly fearful about what they can share and who they can talk to.
The a-ok. pin allows the wearer to send a polysemantic message: abortion is healthcare, it is ok to have an abortion, I support your right to an abortion, and I am a safe person to talk to about abortion. Abortion is ok.
In the tradition of the abortion rights movement, the pin is green. The pink period is for emphasis and a nod toward inclusivity - everyone that gets a period can get pregnant.
Wear this pin, normalize abortion, and join the movement of providers who are protecting the reproductive autonomy of our patients.
Conversation Starters
Some patients might have questions about what the pin means. Other patients may have questions about abortion. These conversation starters are not legal advice, but made in collaboration with advocates, lawyers and healthcare professionals, they are meant to increase your comfort supporting patients in need.
This pin is a symbol that I think it is ok to have an abortion, I support a patients right to an abortion, and I am a safe person to talk to about it.
This pin is a symbol that I believe it’s important to prevent interference with the physician patient relationship - I want patients to know I am a safe person to talk to about abortion even if they are scared. Abortion is a healthcare decision, and it’s ok to talk to me, your healthcare provider, about abortion if you need to.
Use your discretion to decide how you want to talk about abortion with your patients. If you don’t feel comfortable talking openly about abortion because of your employer or your state political environment, we will have more content coming in the near future you might find helpful. Check back with us!
What does the pin mean?
Some people might want to talk about their experience and others might want to let it go. Our role is to provide reassurance and be there for the patients as they need us.
Abortion is very safe and effective. Most patients present for evaluation and management of mild side effects.
After the Supreme Court decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, there may be an increase in patients who have self-managed abortion. A self-managed abortion is any attempt to end a pregnancy outside of the formal healthcare system. There are many resources available online for patients to complete this process safely and effectively. Complications of self-managed abortions should be managed the same way as a miscarriage. Medical care can be provided without knowing or documenting if a self-managed abortion was attempted. This might be important to consider if you are practicing in a state hostile to abortion.
For patients who had an abortion: