Abortion

Question 1

When did the abortion act come into place?

Answer 1

1967

Question 2

Is incidence of abortion increasing for all age groups?

Answer 2

Yes

Question 3

Is an abortion safer if performed earlier?

Answer 3

Yes

Question 4

How do we try and make sure women are seen earlier for possible abortions?

Answer 4

Option of self referral

Minimal waiting times

Question 5

What does medical abortion entail?

Answer 5

Taking a tablet called mifepristone
24-48 hours later taking a tablet called misoprostol (Usually taken by inserting into vagina but can be takne sub lingually or buccaly)
Misoprostol can be repeated every 3 hours until expulsion of the pregnancy

Question 6

How has covid-19 affected medical abortion?

Answer 6

Women may now take mifepristone at home without needing to come into the clinic to take it
Another adult must be present

Question 7

What is a negative side effect of mifepristone?

Answer 7

Painful and heavy bleeding

“Like the worst period you’ve ever had”

Question 8

What is a negative side effect of misoprostol?

Answer 8

GI upset

Vomiting and diarrhoea

Question 9

What are the 3 types of surgical abortion?

Answer 9

Manual vacuum aspiration
Suction abortion
Dilatation and evacuation

Question 10

What are some pros and cons of Local Anaesthetic?

Answer 10

Reduced recovery period

Painful

Question 11

What are some pros and cons of general anaesthesia?

Answer 11

Longer recovery time
Need someone to collect you
Pain free
Risks associated with anaesthesia

Question 12

Are doctors dutifully obligated to participate in abortion procedures?

Answer 12

No but we are obligated to refer
We are also obligated to treat women who are considering abortion
Must also provide care to those undergoing abortion such as if they come in with bleeding

Question 13

What does the abortion act state on obligation and duty?

Answer 13

No person shall be under any duty, whether by contract or by any statutory or other legal requirement to participate in any treatment authorised by this act to which they have a conscientious objection

Question 14

Why may a woman die from abortion (worldwide)?

Answer 14

Performed by an individual lacking the necessary skills
Environment not conforming to minimal medical standards
More common when access is legally restricted

Question 15

According to the 1967 abortion act, an abortion may be performed only when which criteria are met?

Answer 15

Two doctors must certify in good faith that at least one of five clauses apply to the woman requesting abortion
Agree on one clause
Must have an insight or understanding on the woman’s
individual circumstances
Unique process across all of medicine in Britain
Covers Scotland, England and Wales

Question 16

What are the clauses mentioned in the 1967 abortion act?

Answer 16

Pregnancy continuing threatens mother’s life
Continuing pregnancy may risk grave and permanent injury to mother’s mental or physical health
Continuation would risk greater risk to mother’s mental or physical health than if the pregnancy was terminated
Continuation would risk greater physical or mental health injury to the children or family of the mother than if the pregnancy was terminated

Question 17

Do legal restrictions reduce rates of abortions?

Answer 17

No

Just increase rates of unsafe abortions

Question 18

What is one possible way of reducing the need for abortion?

Answer 18

Increasing availability of contraception

Question 19

What proportion of women in the UK are likely to have an abortion?

Answer 19

One third

Question 20

Does the final decision about whether or not to have an abortion, if it is a viable option, lie with the woman or the doctor?

Answer 20

The woman

Question 21

If an under 16 year old woman has an abortion will her parents/carers be told?

Answer 21

No

Not if the woman is judged to be mature enough to understand what is happening

Question 22

Is giving birth safer than having an abortion?

Answer 22

No

Question 23

Is abortion free on the NHS in Scotland, England and Wales?

Answer 23

Yes

Question 24

Will a pregnancy test show if you are pregnant one week after you’ve had sex?

Answer 24

No

May not be accurate until after period has been missed or 3 weeks after unprotected sex