Abortion Flashcards
When are the highest rates of abortion seen?
There is a link with what?
There is a high rate of what?
20-24 year age group
Social deprivation
Repeat terminations
Is abortion safe?
In Scotland, where do abortions take place?
Relatively yes, it has less risks than carrying a baby to term
Mostly in NHS hospitals
According to the abortion act, a termination can only take place when?
Within the terms of the abortion act, only who can perform an abortion?
Since 2017, any treatment for termination of pregnancy must take place where?
If two registered medical practitioners are of the opinion (formed in good faith) that an abortion is justified in terms of the act
Only a registered medical practitioner
In an NHS hospital or other approved premises
When is an HSA1 form (Certificate A) required? Who is required to sign it?
When is an HSA2 form (Certificate B) required? Who is required to sign it and when?
What is done with an HSA4 form?
Required in cases of a planned abortion, 2 doctors are required to sign it
Required in cases of an emergency abortion, the doctor who performed the abortion is required to sign it within 24 hours of the abortion taking place
Must be completed by the doctor who undertook the abortion and sent to the chief medical officer within 7 days of the abortion taking place
What is the most common ground for termination of pregnancy?
Ground C: pregnancy has not exceeded its 24th week and continuance would involve risk to the mother’s physical or mental health, greater than the risk of termination
What are some emergency grounds for termination of pregnancy?
F = it was necessary to save the life of the woman
G = it was necessary to prevent grave permanent harm to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman
What are the rights of a foetus in the UK?
What does this mean?
The foetus has no legal rights until it is born
The interests of the mother always take preference over those of the foetus
If the situation is not an emergency, and you are a consciencious objector to abortion, what should you do?
Explain this to the patient and inform them of their right to see another doctor - you must make arrangements for another qualified colleague to tke over your role
Can emergency abortion treatment be denied on the grounds of consciencious objection?
Can you explain your views on abortion to the patient?
If you decline to treat a patient due to consciencious objection, you must ensure that the patient’s care is not what?
No
Yes, if you are invited to
Denied or delayed
If a patient decides to go ahead with a termination, there will be referred to where?
How long does this referral usually take?
How long does the consultation last?
A specialist termination of pregnancy clinic which is nurse-led
2 weeks
1 hour
What things are discussed/done at an initial termination of pregnancy clinic?
Certainty to proceed/discuss alternatives
US scan to confirm IUP and determine gestation
Complete medical history
Discuss methods
What are some practicalities which must be done at the initial nurse-led clinic for TOP?
Written consent
Bloods obtained (FBC, G&S +/- BBV)
Optional STI screening
Prophylatic antibiotics
Counselling about contraception
What is the legal time limit for a social termination of pregnancy?
What is the legal time limit for a termination due to foetal anomaly?
In NHS Tayside, when is a surgical termination allowed up until?
In NHS Tayside, when is a medical termination allowed up until?
23+6 weeks
Any gestation
12 weeks
18+6 weeks
What is classed as each of the following:
a) early medical termination?
b) late medical termination?
c) mid-trimester medical termination?
What is the biggest risk of medical termination?
a) up to 9 weeks
b) 9-12 weeks
c) 12-24 weeks
Failure (1 in 1000)
Describe the 2 stage process of medical termination?
Oral mifepristone (anti-progestogen) 200mg
24-48 hours later, vaginal/oral misoprostol (prostaglandin)
