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Reproductive Health Care for Incarcerated Pregnant, Postpartum, and Nonpregnant Individuals

By The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)

ClinicalCommunityPartnerClinicalPolicyClinical CareIncarceratedIncarcerationMaternal Mental HealthCommittee Opinion

 Reproductive health care for incarcerated individuals should be provided in accordance with the same guidelines and recommendations as for those who are not incarcerated, with attention to the increased risk of infectious diseases and mental health conditions common to incarcerated populations. Ensuring that incarcerated individuals receive respectful, consistent, high-quality reproductive health, pregnancy, and postpartum care is essential for ameliorating inequities and affirming these individuals’ dignity. This revision provides comprehensive recommendations for pregnant, postpartum, and nonpregnant individuals and expands upon guidance to advocate for access to safe, quality, and dignified care.

This opinion was initially drafted in 2012 and reaffirmed in 2024.

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