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Chapter 40 - Post-abortion Care

from Section 2B - Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare: Termination of Pregnancy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 January 2024

Johannes Bitzer
Affiliation:
University Women's Hospital, Basel
Tahir A. Mahmood
Affiliation:
Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy
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Summary

The aftercare provided to a patient following an abortion, or a termination of pregnancy, can improve the safety and the patient’s experience. The content and amount of aftercare required will depend on the patient’s circumstances, method of abortion and whether it was safe or unsafe [1]. Here we aim to discuss the basic principles of abortion aftercare such as what and how to provide information to patients. We go on to discuss reduction of complications and how to manage those that do arise. Furthermore, the importance of contraception within post-abortion care mustn’t be neglected as it reduces future unwanted pregnancies and therefore abortions.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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