About this guide

Misinformation and disinformation about contraception, IVF and the basic facts about pregnancy and fertility have proliferated at a concerning rate, resulting in consumer confusion and policy gridlock on contraceptive access efforts. 

This guide offers factual, science-based resources for journalists to support accurate reporting on contraception, IVF and pregnancy basics. Significant political and religious divides about access to contraceptive and IVF methods — and even the basics of pregnancy — can create challenging conditions for journalists.  

In order to support reporters and editors who cover these topics, Contraceptive Access Initiative (CAI) and Power to Decide created this Stylebook and Coverage Guide.

This guide relies on the long-established medical definitions of pregnancy, contraception and abortion as adopted by the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) and embedded in federal policy. It also relies on the U.S. Surgeon General’s report, “Confronting Misinformation,” which advises journalists to respond to health disinformation by “giv[ing] readers a sense of where the scientific community stands and how strong the available evidence is for different views.”

The resources throughout this guide provide additional information and perspective for journalists who cover topics related to pregnancy, contraception and IVF.

Table of Contents

Guide to Navigating the Contraception Battleground

The following eight subjects address common factors that lead to misinformation about contraception in the media.

Facts: the pregnancy process

Conflation of contraception and abortion: a serious challenge

Medical misinformation about when pregnancy begins 

“Both-sides” framework that obscures medical facts

Politicized medical (and faux-medical) terms 

Conflation in headlines that reference both abortion and contraception

Overlooking policy impact on contraception

Terminology to describe anti-contraception actions

Appendix

Glossary of terms 

Resources

Contact

» Facts: the pregnancy process

This chart can be used as a general guide to medically accurate terminology when reporting on the pregnancy process.

The following are additional resources for reporting on the pregnancy process:

  1. A medical explainer video (2:50 mins) by leading national expert Dr. Raegan McDonald-Mosley reviews the pregnancy process through the lens of policy debates and contraceptive mis- and disinformation.

  2. A medical ethics explainer video (5 mins), featuring medical ethicist and professor Katie Watson, addresses the various ways that journalists could be inadvertently promulgating misinformation about contraception and IVF.

» Conflation of abortion and contraception: a serious challenge

A recent review of mainstream media coverage of issues related to contraception found a consistent trend of conflating abortion and contraception. Some stories lacked enough context so as to imply that some contraception ends — rather than prevents — a pregnancy. Much of the conflation of contraception and abortion was found in headlines of stories that otherwise provided more accurate information. In some cases, this conflation occurred in descriptive writing and quotes from sources that provided medically inaccurate information, which should promptly be labeled as such and clarified with medically accurate information. Failing to take this step can fuel public confusion and further misinformation.

Example:

Recommendation

Establish additional editorial due diligence for contraceptive stories, in particular those that address political or legal conflicts.

» Medical misinformation about when pregnancy begins

The premise for a major swath of disinformation about contraception, and the root of most policy disputes about contraception, is the incorrect assertion that pregnancy begins much earlier than its current medical science definition. This assertion often comes from political sources or from medical professionals with a political agenda. 

This is the premise for some conservatives to wrongly claim that certain contraception ends a pregnancy, rather than prevents one.

Recommendation

Treat medical misinformation about contraception the same as other health mis- and disinformation.  

» “Both-sides” framework that obscures medical facts

News coverage about disputes concerning contraceptive policy typically reports on the dueling positions. However, when one side is presenting disinformation about contraception and the other side is relying on established medical science, the both-sides framework can inadvertently add credibility to the disinformation. 

Example :

Recommendation

If you are including medical disinformation to describe a political dispute, always provide a factual correction adjacent to the disinformation. 

Treat political arguments that do not align with medical science as opinion, not fact.  Avoid presenting this issue as a partisan argument rather than a challenge to medical science. 

» Politicized medical (and faux-medical) terms 

Medically, the term “conception” refers to the implantation stage of pregnancy, which marks the start of pregnancy. However, it has become a politicized term that equates it to fertilization and a religious or political opposition to certain contraceptives. There are also widespread inconsistencies concerning how the term is used in medical settings, and its use can mean different things to different populations.

The term “conception” is not a neutral term and should be clarified or avoided. If used, the term should be directly accompanied by clarification about whether the story is referring to the medical definition of conception (synonymous with implantation) or a religious, political and/or personal definition.  

When “conception” is used as a synonym for fertilization, it is important to clarify that this is not the scientific definition of when a pregnancy begins. In abortion-related legislation or discourse, it might also be important to clarify that this term is being used to redefine or blur the current medical definition of contraception.

» Conflation in headlines that reference both abortion and contraception 

Many examples of contraceptive mis- and disinformation are evident in headlines. The need for brevity and clarity can inadvertently result in more confusion. 

In the example on this page, two news stories emerged back to back: one concerning the availability of medication abortion pills via prescription at a pharmacy and the other concerning the availability of non-prescription birth control pills at pharmacies. When headline editors linked to a related story, the headline content — while technically correct — inadvertently suggested a conflation of abortion and contraception. 

Recommendation:

Avoid or be cautious when embedding an abortion-related link in a contraceptive story, especially in the headline. 

Example:

» Overlooking policy impact on contraception

Many policies that restrict abortion care or in vitro fertilization (IVF) can also result in major changes to contraceptive access. It helps readers when you point out these connections in your coverage. 

It is important to note that legislation or court rulings that restrict medical care in the embryonic stage are affecting some contraception and IVF methods – but they are not restricting abortion, because the person is not yet pregnant. Restrictions in the fetal stage, once pregnancy has medically begun, restrict abortion. 

Recommendation

If the regulation applies from the fertilization stage through birth, it would have an impact on contraception, IVF and abortion. In these situations, it would be most accurate to report that these types of restrictions ban both the most common methods of contraception and IVF, as well as abortion.

Example:

» Terminology to describe anti-contraception actions

Many news stories characterize opponents of contraception as “anti-abortion,” ostensibly because their primary organizational goal is to oppose abortion. In addition, many of these groups claim to not be anti-contraception; yet they support policies that misdefine popular and highly effective methods of contraception as abortion and thus restrict access to contraception.  

Characterizing anti-contraception actions as anti-abortion can inadvertently give validity to the disinformation that some contraceptive methods end a pregnancy. Clarifying that these anti-abortion policies also result in restrictions on contraception provides readers with more in-depth understanding. 

Example:

Recommendation

Use the current medical definition of pregnancy to determine whether a group or leader is working against contraception or abortion or both. Many media stories describe groups and elected officials opposing contraception as “anti-abortion,” which can exacerbate misinformation about the conflation of abortion and contraception.

When writing a contraception-focused story, if an organization is working to diminish access to contraception, it is most clear and accurate to use one of the anti-contraception terms below:

» Glossary of terms

Also see ACOG’s dictionary here.

Abortifacient ⚠️(medical term; often mis-used)

Any substance used to terminate a pregnancy. 

“Abortifacient contraception” ⚠️ (non-medical term; not neutral)

A disinformation term coined by anti-abortion leaders to falsely claim that some contraceptives end an existing pregnancy. This term has no medical meaning and should not be used.

Abortion ✅(medically accurate term; neutral term) 

Abortion means ending a pregnancy. There are two main options: an abortion procedure (also called in-clinic abortion) and the abortion pill (also called medication abortion). Both are safe and effective. 

Conception ⚠️ (not neutral)

Medically, conception occurs at implantation, which is the start of pregnancy. However, the term “conception” is understood differently among various groups — some organizations, such as the Catholic Church, use the term to indicate fertilization. Even among trusted medical sites, conception can be defined differently. 

Groups that oppose abortion and contraception have embraced this term as a synonym for “fertilization,” and its use can be a dog whistle for an anti-contraception agenda.

Avoid this term due to public confusion about its meaning and its partisan signaling; if used, it should be clearly defined and sourced in the copy to reduce confusion.  

Contraception ✅(medically accurate term; neutral term)

Birth control and contraception are synonymous, though contraception can often be used for a purpose other than preventing pregnancy, such as treating menstrual pain, acne or other conditions. These terms refer to devices, medicines or procedures used to prevent pregnancies, with the beginning of pregnancy defined as implantation. Pregnancy cannot be detected until after implantation, when the body begins to produce pregnancy hormones. While contraception prevents pregnancy, it cannot end a pregnancy.

Embryo ✅(medically accurate term; neutral term)

The stage of development that starts at fertilization (joining of an egg and sperm).

Emergency contraception pills ⚠️(medical term often misused)

There are two different types of emergency contraceptive pills (levonorgestrel, commonly referred to as Plan B, and Ulipristal acetate). They are both designed to prevent ovulation after unprotected sex. Their primary mechanism is to prevent or delay an egg leaving the ovary, thus preventing fertilization. In spite of the FDA’s updated labeling that clarifies it does not prevent implantation, some inaccurately claim that emergency contraception may also prevent fertilization or implantation. Note: Certain intrauterine devices (IUDs) can also be used for emergency contraception. Emergency contraception (pills and IUDs) cannot terminate a pregnancy that has already begun. 

Fertilization ⚠️(medical term often misused)

When a sperm and an egg fuse, this is called fertilization, which creates an embryo. While this is an essential step towards pregnancy, this is NOT when pregnancy medically begins. For example, an egg fertilized in a petri dish cannot become a pregnancy until that fertilized egg is successfully implanted in the uterus. In the absence of contraceptive use, only about 50% of fertilized embryos will successfully implant.

Fetus ✅(medically accurate term; neutral term)

The stage of human development beyond eight completed weeks after fertilization. This is the stage after pregnancy has begun. Medically, the beginning of pregnancy is called implantation. 

Hormonal Contraception ✅(medically accurate term; neutral term)

Hormonal contraception methods contain hormones that prevent pregnancy. These hormones prevent the body from releasing an egg each month. Methods include birth control pills, skin patches, vaginal rings, the implant and an intrauterine device (IUD). While the primary mechanism is to prevent fertilization, some hormonal methods have the potential to also prevent implantation.

Implantation ✅(medically accurate term; neutral term)

The process wherein the fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining, and pregnancy medically begins. When a fertilized egg implants, the body begins to create pregnancy hormones to support the uterine lining. This is the hormone that is detected in a pregnancy test. Note: Prior to this phase, a pregnancy test will not work.

Life or “when life begins” ⚠️ (non-medical term; not neutral)

This term should not be used to reference when pregnancy begins. Opponents of abortion and contraception frequently use the phrase “when life begins” in a way that can add confusion to medical and legal discussions about pregnancy. This term is often used in “personhood” legislation (see “Personhood” definition, below). Given the lack of public consensus on the meaning of the term “life” or “when life begins,” this terminology can spur confusion and misinformation in media reporting or polling.

“Personhood” ⚠️ (non-medical term; not neutral)

Anti-abortion leaders use the concept of personhood to extend the legal rights of a person prior to birth. Many “personhood” proponents use the 14th Amendment as the constitutional basis for this standard.

There are two types of “personhood” proposals: “fetal personhood,” which applies to a fetus in the womb, and “embryo personhood,” which applies to the pre-pregnancy embryo stage. Personhood statutes threaten access to contraception, IVF and abortion.  

​​“Pre-implantation chemical abortion” ⚠️ (non-medical term; not neutral)

A disinformation term coined by anti-contraception advocates with no medical meaning. Any device or substance that prevents implantation is contraception. In this misdefinition, “chemical abortion” is being used as a substitute for “contraception.” This term should not be used.

Pregnancy ✅(medically accurate term; neutral term)

The gestational stage medically begins at implantation, during which a person carries a growing fetus in their uterus. Note: Many health care providers date a pregnancy from the time that a pregnant person has had their last menstrual period, for the purpose of calculating a due date. However, this is not the same as when pregnancy has medically begun.

The Pregnancy Process ✅(medically accurate term; neutral term)

Refers to the entire process of becoming and being pregnant. This is distinct from the specific gestational stage of when a pregnancy medically begins, detailed above. 

​​“Restorative Reproductive Medicine” ⚠️ (non-medical term; not neutral).

This is a political term used in some legislative proposals that refers to non-IVF fertility approaches. It uses Catholic-affiliated fertility programs and is not a substitute for IVF.

“Unborn human being” ⚠️ (non-medical term; not neutral)

Do not use. This is not a medical phrase. This phrase is used by groups and policymakers that oppose abortion and contraception to advance “fetal personhood”-style legislation that would ban most forms of contraception and IVF. 

» Appendix: Resources

Contraception myths

  • Challenging Myths (∽3 min. video) Dr. Raegan McDonald-Mosley, CEO of Power to Decide and chief medical advisor for the Contraceptive Access Initiative, talks through common myths and misperceptions that can lead to restricting access to contraception. 

  • Fighting disinformation about pregnancy and contraception (∽3 min video) Dr. Raegan sheds light on how FDA-approved contraceptives prevent pregnancy.

Contraception facts

Access to contraception

Polling & Message Research

Opposition to contraception

Mis- and Disinformation about contraception in the media

Additional Resources

Contact

For more information or to be connected to a medical expert, contact Loretta@caminopr.com

ContraceptiveAccess.org 

PowerToDecide.org