L16: Abortion Flashcards
What is the definition of abortion
To deliberate termination of a human pregnancy
What is the definition of miscarriage
Spontaneous loss of foetus’s before 20th week of pregnancy
What is the definition of stillbirth
Loss of foetus after 20th week
What is post coital interception
Any process which aims to stop a fertilised egg implanting
Give an example of a post coital interception
Morning after pill
Is post coital interception legally abortion
No
Before 1967 what was the state of abortion
All was made illegal
What brought the abortion act 1967 that made legal abortion
A statement that said life starts at breath
Under the abortion action 1967 is buying abortion pils online illegal
Yes
If abortion is carried out in clinical practise what does it have to be in accordance with
Abortion act 1967
If a doctor is taking responsibility who do they need to legally notify
Chief medial officer
Within how many days does this notification have to be done within
14 days of termination
Who needs to agree for the abortion to proceed
2 doctors
What are the 4 Criteria’s of with one has to apply to for abortion to proceed
1a) less than 24 weeks, risk of continuation is greater than abortion, risk of injury to physical or mental heath of woman or existing child of pregnant woman
1b) abortion is necessary to avoid risk of grave permanent injury to physical or mental health of woman
1c) risk of continuation is greater than risk of abortion
1d) a substantial risk that if child was born it would suffer from abnormalities as to be severely handicapped
What are the 2 ways of caring out abortion
Medication
Surgical
When is medical abortion carried out
Pregnancy less than 10 weeks
What are the medications used for abortion
Oral milepristone
Oral misoprostol
How does oral milepristone work
Blocks the hormonal cascade of pregnancy
How does oral misoprostol work
Promotes expulsion of uterine contents
What are the 2 surgical methods used for abortion
Suction
Cervical dilation and then suction
When is suction used
If less than 12 weeks
When is cervical dilation and then suction used
If 12+ weeks pregnant
What are the risks of abortion
Unsuccessful abortion
What are the reasons for and against abortion
Right to live
Right to bodily autonomous of woman
Feminist arguments
Religious
Is not existing at all worse than having a bad life?
Down syndrome kids can live a happy life
Cleft palate and lip can be fixed
What is conscientious objection in abortion
You do not want to involved in the abortion as a doctor
What must you do if you have conscientious objection to abortion/treatment or procedure
1) tell the patient you do not provide the particular treatment
2) tell the patient they have the right to discuss the condition and option for treatment with another practitioner
3) make sure the patient has enough info to arrange and see another practitioner
When can you now have conscientious objection
In emergency to save life or severe deterioration of life
Therefore in abortion what criteria section cannot you not ignore
Section 1b) grave injury
Section 1c) death
If a patient presents under the age of 16 can they consent to termination
Yes if they are assessed to be gillicks competent
Can the parents of the child overrule their gillicks competent
No
