Termination of Pregnancy Flashcards
Up until how many weeks can an abortion be carried out?
24 weeks
20 weeks in Scotland
What is the current law surrounding abortion based on?
1967 Abortion Act
What must be done legally before an abortion can be carried out?
Two registered medical practitioners must sign a legal document (in an emergency only one is needed)
Who is legally allowed to carry out an abortion?
Only a registered medical practitioner can perform an abortion, which must be in a NHS hospital or licensed premise
What needs to be given to a woman if her abortion is being carried out after 10 weeks gestation?
anti-D prophylaxis should be given to women who are rhesus D negative and are having an abortion after 10+0 weeks’ gestation
What medications are used in a medical termination of abortion?
Mifepristone
Prostaglandin- misoprostol
When are the medications given for an abortion?
Mifepristone followed 48 hours later by prostaglandins (e.g. misoprostol)
What is the function of a prostaglandin?
Stimulate uterine contractions
Up until when can a pregnancy test be positive in someone who underwent an abortion?
4 weeks after
When are medical abortions usually carried out?
10 weeks
After this, higher fail rate
What does the surgical ending of a pregnancy involve?
The use of transcervical procedures to end a pregnancy
What are the possible surgical methods for ending a pregnancy?
Vacuum aspiration (MVA)
Electric vacuum aspiration (EVA)
Dilatation and evacuation (D&E)
What needs to be given prior to the surgical TOP?
cervical priming with misoprostol +/- mifepristone
