Evaluating the Effect of the Parental Notification Law on Minors Seeking Abortions in New Hampshire

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In 2012, New Hampshire enacted a parental notification requirement for minors seeking an abortion with the rationale that parental involvement will decrease abortion rates in minors. Previous studies have demonstrated conflicting results with respect to changes in abortion rates and rates of parental involvement and often failed to account for crossing state borders to obtain an abortion. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed within the Planned Parenthood of Northern New England system including Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. All abortions performed on minors for the year before (2011) and after (2012) the enactment of the law were reviewed. Abortion rates, gestational age, and parental involvement were noted. RESULTS: A total of 103 abortions were performed during the study period with a decrease from 57 to 46 after enactment of the law (P=.641). Average gestational age increased from 7.77 to 8.35 completed weeks (95% confidence interval −1.44 to 28, P=.183). No change was detected in the number of New Hampshire minors seeking abortions out of state; however, we observed a decrease in Massachusetts minors seeking abortions in New Hampshire (n=30 compared with n=8, P=.011). Both parental awareness and presence at the time of abortion increased among New Hampshire minors (68–89%, P=.017 and 58–78%, P=.050, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The parental notification law did not significantly affect the abortion rate or gestational age among minors seeking abortions. There was, however, a significant decrease in Massachusetts minors seeking abortions in New Hampshire and a significant increase in parental involvement after enactment of the law.