Information flow as reproductive governance. Patient journey analysis of information barriers and facilitators to abortion care in the republic of Ireland

•Information flow facilitating abortion access was restricted in Ireland under pre-2018 legislation.•Information flow can now act as a barrier and facilitator to patient journeys to abortion care.•The ‘informational barriers/facilitators’ vary as the patient journey progresses.•Pro-active promotion and targeting disinformation address informational barriers at ‘point of entry’.•Referral mechanisms and information handover systems can cause delays as patient journeys progress.