Termination of pregnancy Flashcards
What are the 5 legalities of abortion which two medical professionals should agree on?
- Continuing the pregnancy risks the life of the woman
- Termination prevents grave and permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the woman
- The pregnancy has not exceeded 24wks
- Continuing the pregnancy risks harm to physical or mental health of pre-existing children
- Substantial risk that if the foetus was born, it would suffer from serious mental or physical handicaps
What are the two methods of surgical abortion?
Vacuum aspiration
Dilation and evacuation (D+C)
When is vacuum aspiration used?
Up to 13 weeks and 6 days
What anaesthesia is used to vacuum aspiration?
Cervical block (LA) or conscious sedation with fentanyl and midazolam
When is dilation and evacuation used?
14 weeks to pre-24 weeks
What is medical treatment is required prior to dilation and evacuation?
Cervical preparation with misoprostol or mifepristone to soften the cervix
Prophylactic antibiotics: 1g azithromycin and 800mg metronidazole
What anaesthesia is used in dilation and evacuation?
GA
What are the risks of surgical abortion?
Infection
Perforation
Incomplete procedure
What is the regime for a medical abortion for up to 9 weeks and 6 days?
Can take place at home
Mifepristone 200mg PO
24 hrs later
Misoprostol 800mcg PV/buccal
What is the regime for a medical abortion for 10-24wks?
Second pill must be taken in clinic and must remain in clinic
Mifepristone 200mg PO
48hrs later
Misoprostol 800mcg PV
What are the risks of medical abortion?
Bleeding
Incomplete abortion
What is the advice for contraception following an abortion?
All methods of contraception can and should be started immediately after abortion, including IUD/IUS insertion
