Autoethnography & Abortion Advocacy

Autoethnography & Abortion

Criminalizing abortion doesn't stop abortion; it stops safe abortion.

Autoethnography is a powerful lens through which to explore deeply personal and often polarizing experiences. My work on abortion bridges the gap between personal narrative and academic inquiry, offering insights into the emotional, cultural, and societal dimensions of reproductive health.

This page highlights my contributions to this critical conversation, drawing from my own lived experiences and my research on abortion, motherhood, and identity. Through these writings, I aim to foster understanding, empathy, and meaningful dialogue.

The legality of abortion does not guarantee its accessibility.

My academic and advocacy work in reproductive health is deeply personal, rooted in my lived experiences and the stories of others. In September 2015, my husband and I made the heartbreaking decision to terminate a wanted pregnancy due to a severe and fatal spinal abnormality. Because we lived in Ohio, where abortions after the first trimester were banned, we were forced to travel to Illinois for the procedure.

In the months and years following, I turned my grief and experience into a commitment to advocate for reproductive rights and to research the narratives of women who have faced similar challenges. As part of this work, I composed my own narrative, which served as a foundation for understanding the emotional, social, and systemic complexities surrounding abortion.

Media Contributions

Scholarly Contributions

Guy, B. (2022). "Terminating a Wanted Pregnancy: An Analytic Autoethnography." Journal of Contemporary Autoethnography.
Guy, B. (2018). "I Poems on Abortion: Capturing Women’s Experiences with Terminating their Wanted Pregnancies." Women’s Reproductive Health.
Guy, B. & Arthur, B. (2020). "Identity and Connection as Working Mothers During a Pandemic." Journal of the Motherhood Initiative.
Guy, B. & Arthur, B. (2020). "Academic Motherhood During COVID-19: Navigating Our Dual Roles as Educators and Mothers." Gender, Work, and Organization. (Top Cited Article 2021).

Media Engagement and Advocacy

My experiences and perspectives on abortion and reproductive health have been featured widely across media outlets, highlighting the personal and systemic challenges surrounding abortion access. These pieces amplify the realities of legislative and societal impacts on women’s healthcare choices.

Featured Media

The War on Planned Parenthood (Rolling Stone, April 6, 2016): This feature article explores the impact of legislative attacks on Planned Parenthood, including my personal account of navigating restrictive laws. Read more here.
Op-Ed: 20-week abortion ban destined to get struck down (Cincinnati Enquirer, December 20, 2016): In this opinion piece, I critique the legal and ethical implications of 20-week abortion bans. Read the Op-Ed.
Legislative Restrictions and Personal Impact:
- Ohioan forced to Chicago to abort fatal pregnancy (Chillicothe Gazette)
- Ohio’s Abortion Laws Hurt Pregnant Women (WOSU Radio)
- Second Trimester Abortion and the Law (USA Today)

Video Appearances

Advocacy Through Storytelling

Daily Kos: Ohio Woman Forced to Drive 300 Miles for Abortion or Have a Stillborn Baby (Read more)
ACLU Ohio: When Legislators Play Doctor, Women Pay the Price: Sheva’s Story (Read more)

By engaging with these platforms, I aim to humanize the impacts of abortion restrictions and foster greater empathy and awareness in public and policy discourse.

Scholarly Contributions

My academic work leverages autoethnography to delve into the complexities of abortion, motherhood, and identity. By intertwining personal experiences with rigorous analysis, I explore the societal, cultural, and emotional dimensions of reproductive health.

Terminating a Wanted Pregnancy

"Terminating a Wanted Pregnancy: An Analytic Autoethnography" (Journal of Contemporary Autoethnography, 2022):
This article examines the deeply personal and systemic implications of terminating a wanted pregnancy. It employs analytic autoethnography to illuminate the nuanced emotional, ethical, and cultural dimensions of this experience.
"I Poems on Abortion: Capturing Women’s Experiences with Terminating their Wanted Pregnancies" (Women’s Reproductive Health, 2018):
This piece uses poetic inquiry to amplify the voices of women who have experienced wanted pregnancy termination. It provides a creative yet profound way to connect personal narratives with broader societal issues.

Intersections of Identity, Motherhood, and Reproductive Health

"Identity and Connection as Working Mothers During a Pandemic" (Journal of the Motherhood Initiative, 2020):
This publication explores the intersections of motherhood and professional identity, particularly during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Academic Motherhood During COVID-19: Navigating Our Dual Roles as Educators and Mothers" (Gender, Work, and Organization, 2020):
This article highlights the struggles and adaptations of academic mothers navigating the dual challenges of parenting and professional responsibilities during the pandemic.

By situating these works within the scholarly realm, I aim to enrich discussions on abortion, motherhood, and identity, challenging traditional academic boundaries and encouraging empathy through lived experience.