Abstract

The traditional definition of reproductive coercion is limited to interactions within intimate relationships. This limited scope fails to recognize that the attitudes and behaviors that contribute to reproductive coercion are present at all levels of society. This article expands the definition of reproductive coercion to include certain practices in healthcare and law, talks in depth about the issue of reproductive coercion in healthcare, and identifies instances of it. It addresses the issue of pro-reproductive bias and how it contributes to reproductive paternalism in healthcare, and demonstrates that this phenomenon impacts autonomy, which can erode patient trust in healthcare.