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

Obstetrician-gynecologists and other women's health care practitioners can support efforts to improve health care for incarcerated pregnant, postpartum, and nonpregnant individuals. The majority of incarcerated women are parents and are of reproductive age, which has important implications for their reproductive health care needs. The legacies of racism and resulting racialized medical outcomes shape inequities in reproductive health for all people, including those who are incarcerated. 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.