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:
- With abortion clinic restrictions tightening, women want more access at home (op-ed) | Salon
- Women's mental health suffers when they are denied an abortion (op-ed) | Cosmopolitan
- Being denied an abortion has a devastating financial impact, a new study says | Bustle
- Abortion is found to have little effect on women's mental health | New York Times
- New study debunks a popular anti-abortion argument | Mother Jones
- A glimpse into your post-Roe future | Cosmopolitan
- Half of reproductive-age women want easier access to abortion pills, study finds | Huffington Post
- No, abortions don't lead to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts | Think Progress
- Chile has relaxed its abortion ban, but does that go far enough? | Rewire
Publications:
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The Role of Health Care Providers in Young Women's Attitudes about and Willingness to Use Emergency Contraceptive Pills. Womens Health Issues. 2021 Feb 01. Berglas NF, Kaller S, Mays A, Biggs MA. PMID: 33536133.
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Abortion method preference among people presenting for abortion care. Contraception. 2020 Dec 26. Wingo E, Ralph L, Kaller S, Biggs MA. PMID: 33373612.
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"It's Worked Well for Me": Young Women's Reasons for Choosing Lower-Efficacy Contraceptive Methods. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2020 Dec 23. Berglas NF, Kimport K, Mays A, Kaller S, Biggs MA. PMID: 33359316.
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Chilean Medical and Midwifery Faculty's Views on Conscientious Objection for Abortion Services. Int Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2020 Dec 14; 46(Suppl 1):25-34. Casas L, Freedman L, Ramm A, Correa S, Baba CF, Biggs MA. PMID: 33326397.
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Developing and validating the Psychosocial Burden among people Seeking Abortion Scale (PB-SAS). PLoS One. 2020; 15(12):e0242463. Biggs MA, Neilands TB, Kaller S, Wingo E, Ralph LJ. PMID: 33301480.
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Prevalence of Self-Managed Abortion Among Women of Reproductive Age in the United States. JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Dec 01; 3(12):e2029245. Ralph L, Foster DG, Raifman S, Biggs MA, Samari G, Upadhyay U, Gerdts C, Grossman D. PMID: 33337493.
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The Fine Line Between Informing and Coercing: Community Health Center Clinicians' Approaches to Counseling Young People About IUDs. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2020 Dec 01. Antonia Biggs M, Tome L, Mays A, Kaller S, Harper CC, Freedman L. PMID: 33289277.
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Fertility intentions and recent births among US abortion patients. Contraception. 2021 Feb; 103(2):75-79. PMID: 33232696.
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Reasons for and Logistical Burdens of Judicial Bypass for Abortion in Illinois. J Adolesc Health. 2021 Jan; 68(1):71-78. Ralph LJ, Chaiten L, Werth E, Daniel S, Brindis CD, Biggs MA. PMID: 33041202.
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"Obviously there is a conflict between confidentiality and what you are required to do by law": Chilean university faculty and student perspectives on reporting unlawful abortions. Soc Sci Med. 2020 09; 261:113220. PMID: 32736097.
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Provider Practices and Young Women's Experiences with Provider Self-disclosure during Emergency Contraceptive Visits. Womens Health Issues. 2020 Jul - Aug; 30(4):277-282. Cheeks M, Kaller S, Mays A, Biggs MA. PMID: 32507617.
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Medical and midwifery students' views on the use of conscientious objection in abortion care, following legal reform in Chile: a cross-sectional study. BMC Med Ethics. 2020 05 24; 21(1):42. Biggs MA, Casas L, Ramm A, Baba CF, Correa SP. PMID: 32448300.
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The effect of receiving versus being denied an abortion on making and achieving aspirational 5-year life plans. BMJ Sex Reprod Health. 2020 07; 46(3):177-183. McCarthy MA, Upadhyay U, Ralph L, Biggs MA, Foster DG. PMID: 32098771.
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Medical and midwifery student attitudes toward moral acceptability and legality of abortion, following decriminalization of abortion in Chile. Sex Reprod Healthc. 2020 Jun; 24:100502. PMID: 32234666.
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Perceived abortion stigma and psychological well-being over five years after receiving or being denied an abortion. PLoS One. 2020; 15(1):e0226417. Biggs MA, Brown K, Foster DG. PMID: 31995559.
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Exploring young women's reasons for adopting intrauterine or oral emergency contraception in the United States: a qualitative study. BMC Womens Health. 2020 01 28; 20(1):15. Kaller S, Mays A, Freedman L, Harper CC, Biggs MA. PMID: 31992295.
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A Prospective Cohort Study of the Effect of Receiving versus Being Denied an Abortion on Educational Attainment. Womens Health Issues. 2019 Nov - Dec; 29(6):455-464. Ralph LJ, Mauldon J, Biggs MA, Foster DG. PMID: 31708341.
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Future health providers' willingness to provide abortion services following decriminalisation of abortion in Chile: a cross-sectional survey. BMJ Open. 2019 10 30; 9(10):e030797. Biggs MA, Casas L, Ramm A, Baba CF, Correa SV, Grossman D. PMID: 31666266.
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Support for and interest in alternative models of medication abortion provision among a national probability sample of U.S. women. Contraception. 2019 02; 99(2):118-124. Biggs MA, Ralph L, Raifman S, Foster DG, Grossman D. PMID: 30448203.
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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 11 01; 172(11):1053-1060. Foster DG, Biggs MA, Raifman S, Gipson J, Kimport K, Rocca CH. PMID: 30193363.
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Effects of Carrying an Unwanted Pregnancy to Term on Women's Existing Children. J Pediatr. 2019 02; 205:183-189.e1. Foster DG, Raifman SE, Gipson JD, Rocca CH, Biggs MA. PMID: 30389101.
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Young Women's Perspectives About the Contraceptive Counseling Received During Their Emergency Contraception Visit. Womens Health Issues. 2019 Mar - Apr; 29(2):170-175. Biggs MA, Kimport K, Mays A, Kaller S, Berglas NF. PMID: 30890252.
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Five-Year Suicidal Ideation Trajectories Among Women Receiving or Being Denied an Abortion. Am J Psychiatry. 2018 09 01; 175(9):845-852. Biggs MA, Gould H, Barar RE, Foster DG. PMID: 29792049.
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Do School-Based Programs Prevent HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections in Adolescents? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Prev Sci. 2018 05; 19(4):490-506. Mirzazadeh A, Biggs MA, Viitanen A, Horvath H, Wang LY, Dunville R, Barrios LC, Kahn JG, Marseille E. PMID: 28786046.
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Effectiveness of School-Based Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs in the USA: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Prev Sci. 2018 05; 19(4):468-489. PMID: 29374797.
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Attitudes Toward Abortion After Receiving vs. Being Denied an Abortion in the USA. Sex Res Social Policy. 2018 Dec; 15(4):452-463. Woodruff K, Biggs MA, Gould H, Foster DG. PMID: 30956717.View in: PubMed Mentions:
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Changes in Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use Over Five Years After Receiving Versus Being Denied a Pregnancy Termination. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2018 03; 79(2):293-301. Roberts SCM, Foster DG, Gould H, Biggs MA. PMID: 29553359.
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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. Battistelli MF, Magnusson S, Biggs MA, Freedman L. PMID: 29443434.
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Socioeconomic Outcomes of Women Who Receive and Women Who Are Denied Wanted Abortions in the United States. Am J Public Health. 2018 03; 108(3):407-413. Foster DG, Biggs MA, Ralph L, Gerdts C, Roberts S, Glymour MM. PMID: 29345993.
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"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.
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The Impact of a Parental Notification Requirement on Illinois Minors' Access to and Decision-Making Around Abortion. J Adolesc Health. 2018 03; 62(3):281-287. Ralph LJ, King E, Belusa E, Foster DG, Brindis CD, Biggs MA. PMID: 29248391.
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Predictors of timing of pregnancy discovery. Contraception. 2018 04; 97(4):303-308. PMID: 29242084.
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Role of Insurance Coverage in Contraceptive Use After Abortion. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 12; 130(6):1338-1346. PMID: 29112661.
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Postgraduate Experiences With an Advanced Reproductive Health and Abortion Training and Leadership Program. Fam Med. 2017 Oct; 49(9):706-713. Block A, Dehlendorf C, Biggs MA, McNeil S, Goodman S. PMID: 29045988.
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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. Biggs MA, Roberts SCM. PMID: 28957488.
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Can stories reduce abortion stigma? Findings from a longitudinal cohort study. Cult Health Sex. 2018 03; 20(3):335-350. Cockrill K, Biggs A. PMID: 28705119.
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Mental Health Outcomes After Having or Being Denied an Abortion-Reply. JAMA Psychiatry. 2017 06 01; 74(6):654. PMID: 28492913.
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The Role of Publicly Funded Family Planning Sites In Health Insurance Enrollment. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2017 06; 49(2):103-109. PMID: 28445624.
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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.
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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.
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The effect of abortion on having and achieving aspirational one-year plans. BMC Womens Health. 2015 Nov 11; 15:102. PMID: 26559911.
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Projections and opinions from 100 experts in long-acting reversible contraception. Contraception. 2015 Dec; 92(6):543-52. PMID: 26515195.
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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.
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California Family Planning Health Care Providers' Challenges to Same-Day Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Provision. Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Aug; 126(2):338-345. PMID: 26241424.
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Potential public sector cost-savings from over-the-counter access to oral contraceptives. Contraception. 2015 May; 91(5):373-9. PMID: 25732570.
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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.
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Did increasing use of highly effective contraception contribute to declining abortions in Iowa? Contraception. 2015 Feb; 91(2):167-73. PMID: 25465890.
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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.
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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.
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Does abortion reduce self-esteem and life satisfaction? Qual Life Res. 2014 Nov; 23(9):2505-13. PMID: 24740325.
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Factors influencing the provision of long-acting reversible contraception in California. Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Mar; 123(3):593-602. PMID: 24499746.
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The role of intimate partners in women's reasons for seeking abortion. Womens Health Issues. 2014 Jan-Feb; 24(1):e131-8. PMID: 24439939.
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Understanding why women seek abortions in the US. BMC Womens Health. 2013 Jul 05; 13:29. PMID: 23829590.
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Cost-savings from the provision of specific contraceptive methods in 2009. Womens Health Issues. 2013 Jul-Aug; 23(4):e265-71. PMID: 23816157.
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Same-day LARC insertion attitudes and practices. Contraception. 2013 Nov; 88(5):629-35. PMID: 23809277.
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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.
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Interest in a pericoital pill among women in family planning and abortion clinics. Contraception. 2013 Jul; 88(1):141-6. PMID: 23507170.
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Educational barriers, social isolation, and stable romantic relationships among pregnant immigrant Latina teens. Hisp Health Care Int. 2013; 11(1):38-46. PMID: 24830483.
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Misunderstanding the risk of conception from unprotected and protected sex. Womens Health Issues. 2013 Jan; 23(1):e47-53. PMID: 23231762.
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Unprotected intercourse among women wanting to avoid pregnancy: attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs. Womens Health Issues. 2012 May-Jun; 22(3):e311-8. PMID: 22555219.
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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.
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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.
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Willingness to have unprotected sex. J Sex Res. 2012; 49(1):61-8. Foster DG, Higgins JA, Biggs MA, McCain C, Holtby S, Brindis CD. PMID: 21516592.
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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. Biggs MA, Ralph L, Minnis A, Arons A, Marchi K, Lehrer J, Braveman P, Brindis C. .
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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. Foster DG, Rostovtseva DP, Brindis CD, Biggs MA, Hulett D, Darney PD. PMID: 18703437.
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Family planning and life planning reproductive intentions among individuals seeking reproductive health care. Womens Health Issues. 2008 Sep-Oct; 18(5):351-9. Foster DG, Biggs MA, Ralph LJ, Arons A, Brindis CD. PMID: 18485738.
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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. Amaral G, Foster DG, Biggs MA, Jasik CB, Judd S, Brindis CD. PMID: 17850528.
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Estimates of pregnancies averted through California's family planning waiver program in 2002. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2006 Sep; 38(3):126-31. Foster DG, Biggs MA, Amaral G, Brindis C, Navarro S, Bradsberry M, Stewart F. PMID: 16963385.
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Integrating Chlamydia trachomatis control services for males in female reproductive health programs. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2003 Sep-Oct; 35(5):226-8. McConnell JK, Packel L, Biggs MA, Chow JM, Brindis C. PMID: 14668026.
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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. Brindis CD, Llewelyn L, Marie K, Blum M, Biggs A, Maternowska C. PMID: 12782446.
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Adolescent Latino reproductive health: A review of the literature. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences. 2001; (23):255-326. Driscoll AK, Biggs AM, Brindis CD, Yankah E.
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Maternal moods predict breastfeeding in Barbados. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 1999 Apr; 20(2):80-7. Galler JR, Harrison RH, Biggs MA, Ramsey F, Forde V. PMID: 10219685.