M. Antonia Biggs, PhD

Associate Researcher, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences​
Senior Researcher, Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH)

Dr. Biggs’ research is dedicated towards better understanding the barriers faced by economically disadvantaged populations in accessing reproductive health services so that policy can be designed to improve their social and health outcomes. Currently, Dr. Biggs is directing a contraceptive training program aimed at increasing delivery of contraceptive care in primary care settings. She is also co-leading an investigation looking at the impact of parental notification laws on minors’ access to abortion services. Dr. Biggs is a researcher for the Turnaway study (primary investigator: Diana Greene Foster), a nationwide longitudinal prospective study of the health and well-being of women who seek abortions, where she is focusing on women’s mental health outcomes post-abortion seeking. Building on her previous work looking at the reasons women engage in unprotected intercourse, Dr. Biggs is launching a new study looking at the reasons adolescent and adult women forgo contraception and engage in unprotected intercourse.

 

Areas of interest:

  • Delivery of long-acting contraceptive services in primary care settings
  • Mental health outcomes of women having abortions
  • Impact of parental notification laws on minors’ access to abortion services
  • Reasons adolescent and adult women forgo contraception and engage in unprotected intercourse

 

Education:

  • University of Wisconsin, Bachelor's Degree in Psychology
  • Boston University, Master's and Doctoral Degrees n Psychology 

 

In the news:

Publications: 
  1. Biggs MA, Ralph L, Raifman S, Foster DG, Grossman D. Support for and interest in alternative models of medication abortion provision among a national probability sample of U.S. women. Contraception. 2018 Nov 09. PMID: 30448203.
    View in: PubMed
  2. Foster DG, Biggs MA, Raifman S, Gipson J, Kimport K, Rocca CH. Comparison of Health, Development, Maternal Bonding, and Poverty Among Children Born After Denial of Abortion vs After Pregnancies Subsequent to an Abortion. JAMA Pediatr. 2018 Nov 01; 172(11):1053-1060. PMID: 30193363.
    View in: PubMed
  3. Foster DG, Raifman SE, Gipson JD, Rocca CH, Biggs MA. Effects of Carrying an Unwanted Pregnancy to Term on Women's Existing Children. J Pediatr. 2018 Oct 22. PMID: 30389101.
    View in: PubMed
  4. Biggs MA, Gould H, Barar RE, Foster DG. Five-Year Suicidal Ideation Trajectories Among Women Receiving or Being Denied an Abortion. Am J Psychiatry. 2018 Sep 01; 175(9):845-852. PMID: 29792049.
    View in: PubMed
  5. Mirzazadeh A, Biggs MA, Viitanen A, Horvath H, Wang LY, Dunville R, Barrios LC, Kahn JG, Marseille E. Do School-Based Programs Prevent HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections in Adolescents? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Prev Sci. 2018 May; 19(4):490-506. PMID: 28786046.
    View in: PubMed
  6. Marseille E, Mirzazadeh A, Biggs MA, P Miller A, Horvath H, Lightfoot M, Malekinejad M, Kahn JG. Effectiveness of School-Based Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs in the USA: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Prev Sci. 2018 May; 19(4):468-489. PMID: 29374797.
    View in: PubMed
  7. Roberts SCM, Foster DG, Gould H, Biggs MA. Changes in Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use Over Five Years After Receiving Versus Being Denied a Pregnancy Termination. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2018 Mar; 79(2):293-301. PMID: 29553359.
    View in: PubMed
  8. Battistelli MF, Magnusson S, Biggs MA, Freedman L. Expanding the Abortion Provider Workforce: A Qualitative Study of Organizations Implementing a New California Policy. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2018 03; 50(1):33-39. PMID: 29443434.
    View in: PubMed
  9. Foster DG, Biggs MA, Ralph L, Gerdts C, Roberts S, Glymour MM. Socioeconomic Outcomes of Women Who Receive and Women Who Are Denied Wanted Abortions in the United States. Am J Public Health. 2018 Mar; 108(3):407-413. PMID: 29345993.
    View in: PubMed
  10. Biggs MA, Kaller S, Harper CC, Freedman L, Mays AR. "Birth Control can Easily Take a Back Seat": Challenges Providing IUDs in Community Health Care Settings. J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2018; 29(1):228-244. PMID: 29503297.
    View in: PubMed
  11. Ralph LJ, King E, Belusa E, Foster DG, Brindis CD, Biggs MA. The Impact of a Parental Notification Requirement on Illinois Minors' Access to and Decision-Making Around Abortion. J Adolesc Health. 2018 Mar; 62(3):281-287. PMID: 29248391.
    View in: PubMed
  12. McCarthy M, Upadhyay U, Biggs MA, Anthony R, Holl J, Roberts SC. Predictors of timing of pregnancy discovery. Contraception. 2018 Apr; 97(4):303-308. PMID: 29242084.
    View in: PubMed
  13. Biggs MA, Taylor D, Upadhyay UD. Role of Insurance Coverage in Contraceptive Use After Abortion. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 12; 130(6):1338-1346. PMID: 29112661.
    View in: PubMed
  14. Block A, Dehlendorf C, Biggs MA, McNeil S, Goodman S. Postgraduate Experiences With an Advanced Reproductive Health and Abortion Training and Leadership Program. Fam Med. 2017 Oct; 49(9):706-713. PMID: 29045988.
    View in: PubMed
  15. Biggs MA, Roberts SCM. Fatal flaws in recent analysis on the risk of premature death following teenage abortion and childbirth. Eur J Public Health. 2017 10 01; 27(5):794. PMID: 28957488.
    View in: PubMed
  16. Cockrill K, Biggs A. Can stories reduce abortion stigma? Findings from a longitudinal cohort study. Cult Health Sex. 2018 Mar; 20(3):335-350. PMID: 28705119.
    View in: PubMed
  17. Biggs MA, Upadhyay UD, Foster DG. Mental Health Outcomes After Having or Being Denied an Abortion-Reply. JAMA Psychiatry. 2017 Jun 01; 74(6):654. PMID: 28492913.
    View in: PubMed
  18. Yarger J, Daniel S, Biggs MA, Malvin J, Brindis CD. The Role of Publicly Funded Family Planning Sites In Health Insurance Enrollment. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2017 06; 49(2):103-109. PMID: 28445624.
    View in: PubMed
  19. Biggs MA, Upadhyay UD, McCulloch CE, Foster DG. Women's Mental Health and Well-being 5 Years After Receiving or Being Denied an Abortion: A Prospective, Longitudinal Cohort Study. JAMA Psychiatry. 2017 02 01; 74(2):169-178. PMID: 27973641.
    View in: PubMed
  20. Biggs MA, Rowland B, McCulloch CE, Foster DG. Does abortion increase women's risk for post-traumatic stress? Findings from a prospective longitudinal cohort study. BMJ Open. 2016 Feb 01; 6(2):e009698. PMID: 26832431; PMCID: PMC4746441.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  21. Upadhyay UD, Biggs MA, Foster DG. The effect of abortion on having and achieving aspirational one-year plans. BMC Womens Health. 2015 Nov 11; 15:102. PMID: 26559911; PMCID: PMC4642756.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  22. Foster DG, Barar R, Gould H, Gomez I, Nguyen D, Biggs MA. Projections and opinions from 100 experts in long-acting reversible contraception. Contraception. 2015 Dec; 92(6):543-52. PMID: 26515195.
    View in: PubMed
  23. Biggs MA, Neuhaus JM, Foster DG. Mental Health Diagnoses 3 Years After Receiving or Being Denied an Abortion in the United States. Am J Public Health. 2015 Dec; 105(12):2557-63. PMID: 26469674; PMCID: PMC4638270.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  24. Biggs MA, Harper CC, Brindis CD. California Family Planning Health Care Providers' Challenges to Same-Day Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Provision. Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Aug; 126(2):338-45. PMID: 26241424.
    View in: PubMed
  25. Foster DG, Biggs MA, Phillips KA, Grindlay K, Grossman D. Potential public sector cost-savings from over-the-counter access to oral contraceptives. Contraception. 2015 May; 91(5):373-9. PMID: 25732570.
    View in: PubMed
  26. Foster DG, Steinberg JR, Roberts SC, Neuhaus J, Biggs MA. A comparison of depression and anxiety symptom trajectories between women who had an abortion and women denied one. Psychol Med. 2015 Jul; 45(10):2073-82. PMID: 25628123; PMCID: PMC5004731.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  27. Biggs MA, Rocca CH, Brindis CD, Hirsch H, Grossman D. Did increasing use of highly effective contraception contribute to declining abortions in Iowa? Contraception. 2015 Feb; 91(2):167-73. PMID: 25465890.
    View in: PubMed
  28. Roberts SC, Biggs MA, Chibber KS, Gould H, Rocca CH, Foster DG. Risk of violence from the man involved in the pregnancy after receiving or being denied an abortion. BMC Med. 2014 Sep 29; 12:144. PMID: 25262880; PMCID: PMC4182793.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  29. Harris LF, Roberts SC, Biggs MA, Rocca CH, Foster DG. Perceived stress and emotional social support among women who are denied or receive abortions in the United States: a prospective cohort study. BMC Womens Health. 2014 Jun 19; 14:76. PMID: 24946971; PMCID: PMC4080695.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  30. Biggs MA, Upadhyay UD, Steinberg JR, Foster DG. Does abortion reduce self-esteem and life satisfaction? Qual Life Res. 2014 Nov; 23(9):2505-13. PMID: 24740325; PMCID: PMC4186981.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  31. Biggs MA, Harper CC, Malvin J, Brindis CD. Factors influencing the provision of long-acting reversible contraception in California. Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Mar; 123(3):593-602. PMID: 24499746.
    View in: PubMed
  32. Chibber KS, Biggs MA, Roberts SC, Foster DG. The role of intimate partners in women's reasons for seeking abortion. Womens Health Issues. 2014 Jan-Feb; 24(1):e131-8. PMID: 24439939.
    View in: PubMed
  33. Biggs MA, Gould H, Foster DG. Understanding why women seek abortions in the US. BMC Womens Health. 2013 Jul 05; 13:29. PMID: 23829590; PMCID: PMC3729671.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  34. Foster DG, Biggs MA, Malvin J, Bradsberry M, Darney P, Brindis CD. Cost-savings from the provision of specific contraceptive methods in 2009. Womens Health Issues. 2013 Jul-Aug; 23(4):e265-71. PMID: 23816157.
    View in: PubMed
  35. Biggs MA, Arons A, Turner R, Brindis CD. Same-day LARC insertion attitudes and practices. Contraception. 2013 Nov; 88(5):629-35. PMID: 23809277.
    View in: PubMed
  36. Minnis AM, Marchi K, Ralph L, Biggs MA, Combellick S, Arons A, Brindis CD, Braveman P. Limited socioeconomic opportunities and Latina teen childbearing: a qualitative study of family and structural factors affecting future expectations. J Immigr Minor Health. 2013 Apr; 15(2):334-40. PMID: 22678305.
    View in: PubMed
  37. Foster DG, Biggs MA, Grossman D, Schwarz EB. Interest in a pericoital pill among women in family planning and abortion clinics. Contraception. 2013 Jul; 88(1):141-6. PMID: 23507170.
    View in: PubMed
  38. Biggs MA, Combellick S, Arons A, Brindis CD. Educational barriers, social isolation, and stable romantic relationships among pregnant immigrant Latina teens. Hisp Health Care Int. 2013; 11(1):38-46. PMID: 24830483.
    View in: PubMed
  39. Biggs MA, Foster DG. Misunderstanding the risk of conception from unprotected and protected sex. Womens Health Issues. 2013 Jan; 23(1):e47-53. PMID: 23231762.
    View in: PubMed
  40. Biggs MA, Karasek D, Foster DG. Unprotected intercourse among women wanting to avoid pregnancy: attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs. Womens Health Issues. 2012 May-Jun; 22(3):e311-8. PMID: 22555219.
    View in: PubMed
  41. Foster DG, Biggs MA, Rostovtseva D, de Bocanegra HT, Darney PD, Brindis CD. Estimating the fertility effect of expansions of publicly funded family planning services in California. Womens Health Issues. 2011 Nov-Dec; 21(6):418-24. PMID: 21802962.
    View in: PubMed
  42. Schwartz SL, Brindis CD, Ralph LJ, Biggs MA. Latina adolescents' perceptions of their male partners' influences on childbearing: findings from a qualitative study in California. Cult Health Sex. 2011 Sep; 13(8):873-86. PMID: 21707264.
    View in: PubMed
  43. Foster DG, Higgins JA, Biggs MA, McCain C, Holtby S, Brindis CD. Willingness to have unprotected sex. J Sex Res. 2012; 49(1):61-8. PMID: 21516592.
    View in: PubMed
  44. Biggs MA, Ralph L, Minnis A, Arons A, Marchi K, Lehrer J, Braveman P, Brindis C. .Factors Associated with Delayed Childbearing: From the Voices of Expectant Latina Adults and Teens in California. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences 2010; 32:77-103. 2010; (32):77-103.
  45. Foster DG, Rostovtseva DP, Brindis CD, Biggs MA, Hulett D, Darney PD. Cost savings from the provision of specific methods of contraception in a publicly funded program. Am J Public Health. 2009 Mar; 99(3):446-51. PMID: 18703437; PMCID: PMC2661445.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  46. Foster DG, Biggs MA, Ralph LJ, Arons A, Brindis CD. Family planning and life planning reproductive intentions among individuals seeking reproductive health care. Womens Health Issues. 2008 Sep-Oct; 18(5):351-9. PMID: 18485738.
    View in: PubMed
  47. Amaral G, Foster DG, Biggs MA, Jasik CB, Judd S, Brindis CD. Public savings from the prevention of unintended pregnancy: a cost analysis of family planning services in California. Health Serv Res. 2007 Oct; 42(5):1960-80. PMID: 17850528; PMCID: PMC2254565.
    View in: PubMed, PubMed Central
  48. Foster DG, Biggs MA, Amaral G, Brindis C, Navarro S, Bradsberry M, Stewart F. Estimates of pregnancies averted through California's family planning waiver program in 2002. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2006 Sep; 38(3):126-31. PMID: 16963385.
    View in: PubMed
  49. McConnell JK, Packel L, Biggs MA, Chow JM, Brindis C. Integrating Chlamydia trachomatis control services for males in female reproductive health programs. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2003 Sep-Oct; 35(5):226-8. PMID: 14668026.
    View in: PubMed
  50. Brindis CD, Llewelyn L, Marie K, Blum M, Biggs A, Maternowska C. Meeting the reproductive health care needs of adolescents: California's Family Planning Access, Care, and Treatment Program. J Adolesc Health. 2003 Jun; 32(6 Suppl):79-90. PMID: 12782446.
    View in: PubMed
  51. Driscoll AK, Biggs AM, Brindis CD, Yankah E.Adolescent Latino reproductive health: A review of the literature. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences. 2001; (23):255-326.
  52. Galler JR, Harrison RH, Biggs MA, Ramsey F, Forde V. Maternal moods predict breastfeeding in Barbados. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 1999 Apr; 20(2):80-7. PMID: 10219685.
    View in: PubMed
Tags: 
Adolescent sexual health
Contraception