Abstract

PIP: This chapter addresses the role of health professionals in providing abortions and examines the dynamic technology of this field. Once the decision to perform an abortion is made, the proper procedure must be selected. Gestational age is the fundamental determinant but the experience and capability of the practitioner are also crucial. Suction curettage is the safest and most effective procedure available for abortions performed within 10 weeks of conception. Evaluation of the abortion patient should include, at a minimum, tests for hemoglobin, presence of gonococci, and Rh type. One of the most important parts of preparation for an abortion is sensitive and searching counseling. A potentially serious complication of suction curettage is perforation of the uterus. Dilatation and evacuation (D and E), is similar to the suction curettage procedure. This method may be used for gestations of 20 or more weeks after conception and requires greater operator expertise and experience. The complications of D and E are similar to those of suction curettage but are more frequent. Amnioinfusion is currently the most widely used method of pregnancy termination after 14 weeks in the US. The abortifacient agent that has had the greatest use is hypertonic saline. Morbidity associated with saline amnioinfusion includes hemorrhage requiring transfusion, retained tissue requiring manual or surgical removal infection, coagulopathy, and hypernatremia. Prostaglandins are alternative abortifacient agents. A disadvantage of using prostaglandins to induce abortion is that they frequently require repeat doses to be effective. Other disadvantages include nausea, vomiting, diarhea, and bronchospasm. Urea is anther effective abortifacient agent.