Journal
CONTRACEPTION
Volume 78, Issue 6, Pages 492-499Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2008.07.011
Keywords
Abortion; Second-trimester surgical abortion; Dilation and evacuation; United States; Canada
Categories
Funding
- NAF
- Lynne Randall of Planned Parenthood Federation of America
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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. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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