Jones RK, et al. - Using national data from a sample of more than 8,000 individuals obtaining abortions in the United States in 2014, researchers investigated fertility intentions among abortion patients as well as the potential of abortion for averting short birth intervals. Based on prior births and responses to an item asking about future childbearing expectations, a measure of fertility intentions was developed. Respondents who inscribed having a birth in the last 12 months were recognized as at risk of a short birth interval. Most frequently, 39% of cases intended to have (more) children, with comparable proportions desiring to delay a first birth (20%) or postpone a second or higher order birth (19%). Per findings, abortion allows individuals to plan and space their births according to their reproductive life plans and intentions.