Abortion Dr Jacqueline Woodman

 The Abortion Act 1967: permits termination of pregnancy subject to certain conditions permits termination of pregnancy subject to certain conditions abortions must be performed by a registered practitioner in a National Health Service hospital or in a location that has been specially approved by the Department of Health abortions must be performed by a registered practitioner in a National Health Service hospital or in a location that has been specially approved by the Department of Health  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 introduced a time limit of 24 weeks for certain indications some indications are without limit introduced a time limit of 24 weeks for certain indications some indications are without limit In a multiple pregnancy it was legal for a doctor to terminate the life of one or more fetuses leaving others alive. In a multiple pregnancy it was legal for a doctor to terminate the life of one or more fetuses leaving others alive.  The Abortion Act 1967 and Section 37 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 do not apply to Northern Ireland.

 In England, Wales and Scotland abortion is legal under 24 weeks of pregnancy if two doctors agree that it is necessary for one of the following reasons:  having the baby would harm the woman's mental or physical health more than having the abortion.  having the baby would harm the mental or physical health of any children she already has.  An abortion is also legal at any time in pregnancy if two doctors agree that:  the abortion is necessary to save the woman's life or prevent serious permanent harm to her mental or physical health, or  there is a high risk that the baby would be seriously handicapped.

Key Facts 2009  94% of abortions were funded by the NHS (compared to 51% in 2002); of these, over half (60%) took place in the independent sector under NHS contract  94% of abortions were funded by the NHS (compared to 51% in 2002); of these, over half (60%) took place in the independent sector under NHS contract  91% of abortions were carried out at under 13 weeks gestation; 75% were at under 10 weeks  91% of abortions were carried out at under 13 weeks gestation; 75% were at under 10 weeks  medical abortions accounted for 40% of the total compared with 35% in 2006 and 19% in 2004  medical abortions accounted for 40% of the total compared with 35% in 2006 and 19% in 2004  2,085 abortions (1%) were under ground E, risk that the child would be born handicapped  2,085 abortions (1%) were under ground E, risk that the child would be born handicapped

Early medical abortion  first 9 weeks of pregnancy (higher risk of haemorrhage at later gestations).  Oral mifepristone  36 to 48 hours later, vaginal prostaglandin.  These two drugs end most early pregnancies within the following four hours.

Early Methods  Vacuum aspiration (known as 'the suction method')  Available up to 14/15 weeks of pregnancy.  General or local anaesthetic.  The cervix (the entrance to the womb at the top of the vagina) is gently stretched to allow a tube to pass through it into the uterus. Once the tube is inserted the pregnancy is removed by suction.  Day case procedure

Late Methods (after 13 weeks)  Medical  Vacuum Aspiration  Dilatation and evacuation

Complications  Incomplete evacuation  Haemorrhage Cervical injury Cervical injury Perforation Perforation Adherent placenta Adherent placenta  Infection