Second-trimester surgical abortion practices: a survey of National Abortion Federation members

Abstract

Background: The objective of this analysis was to assess the second-trimester surgical abortion practices of National Abortion Federation (NAF) members in North America and Australia.

Study design: In 2002, questionnaires were mailed to 364 active member clinics of NAF for completion by their clinic administrators and individual providers.

Results: Two hundred eighty-nine (79%) clinics responded. Most NAF clinics (72%) offer second-trimester abortion services. The majority of second-trimester providers are obstetrician/gynecologists (63%), male (62%) and at least 50 years old (63%). We describe second-trimester surgical abortion practices in terms of patient eligibility, cervical ripening, ultrasound use, anesthesia and postoperative care.

Conclusions: Surgical techniques and postoperative practices for second-trimester abortions are similar among these respondents, suggesting that NAF's efforts to promulgate best practices using evidence-based guidelines are succeeding. The aging of skilled practitioners raises concerns about the future availability of second-trimester abortion.