Termination of Pregnancy Flashcards
2 acts used in abortion
The Abortion Act
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act
5 reasons for allowing abortion
(1) abortion for the sake of the mother’s health
- including her mental health
(2) abortion where a pregnancy is the result of a crime
- such as crimes like rape, incest, or child abuse
(3) abortion where the child of the pregnancy would have
an ‘ unacceptable quality of life’ such as cases where the child would have
- serious physical handicaps,
- serious genetic problems,
- serious mental defects
(4) abortion for social reasons, including:
poverty,
- mother unable to cope with a child (or another child),
- mother being too young to cope with a child
(5) abortion as a matter of government policy
- as a way of regulating population size
- as a way of regulating groups within a population
- as a way of improving the population
How many doctors are needed to certify?
2
What happens if the patient is under 16?
Parents and carers need to be involved
Before TOP:
What should be offered before?
Why is a USS done?
What needs to be screened for?
Why are antibiotics given?
What should you make sure you discuss and why?
What happens if the woman is Rhesus Disease negative?
Counselling and support with both verbal and written information.
To check gestation and identify the viability
Chlamydia and other STIs
Reduce post-op infections
Contraception (IUCD or sterilisation to prevent this from happening again)
Anti-D immunoglobulins are administered to prevent sensitisation
Medical termination:
2 drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol are used. What do they do?
From what gestation is it highly effective from?
Routes - 2
What is done to check success?
Why are NSAIDs used?
Mifepristone - antiprogestagen to prime cervix
Misoprostol - prostaglandin - stimulates uterine contractions
> 6 wks
Orally or vaginally
Follow up scan 2 wks after the procedure
Have a lot of bleeding and pain
Surgical termination:
How is it done?
What drug used for cervical dilatation?
What type of dilator can be used from 14 wks?
Risks
What should be offered during the procedure?
Suction or dilatation and evacuation
Misoprostol - prostaglandin - stimulates uterine contractions as well as dilating cervix
Osmotic dilators
Bleeding
Incomplete evacuation
Perforation
NSAIDs
Complications of termination
Failed TOP Infection Haemorrhage Uterine perforation Uterine rupture Cervical trauma Retained products of conception
