Abortion Flashcards
what is continuation of an unwanted pregnancy associated with?
poorer outcomes for mother and baby
abortion act 1967 includes what documentation?
- certified on HSA1 where two doctors sign
- emergency clause only requires one doctor to sign (HSA2)
- all abortions are reported to CMO via abortion notification form (HSA4)
abortion limit
23 weeks + 6 days
HCPs can refuse to participate but what are the limits to this?
does not apply in an emergency
should not delay/ prevent access to care
does not apply to indirect tasks e.g. administration
two ways of estimating gestation
- clinical
2. USS
clinical estimation of gestation
LMP +/- date of positive pregnancy test
palpable uterus >12 weeks
medical abortion
mifepristone 200mg PO
misoprostol 800mcg PV/ SL (24-48 hours later)
what is misoprostol?
prostaglandin that softens the cervix
when are two doses of misoprostol given?
> 10 weeks
when is medical abortion done as an inpatient procedure?
> 12 weeks
what does EMAH pack contain
- mifepristone + misoprostol
- antiemetic
- analgesia
- antibiotics
- contraception (6/12 POP)
- patient info
- low sensitivity pregnancy test (after 2 weeks)
what is given in surgical abortion?
anaesthetic
cervical priming via misoprostol or osmotic dilators
surgical abortion <14 weeks
electric vacuum aspiration (GA) or manual vacuum aspiration
surgical abortion >14 weeks
dilatation and evacuation
what prophylaxis is given at the time of abortion to reduce complications?
antibiotics
anti-D
VTE prophylaxis
