21 - Surgicaltermination of pregnancy

Summary

In the event of an unplanned pregnancy, a woman should have the choice of a surgical or medical method at any gestation and be counselled on the procedure itself, possible risks and expected care. A benefit of a surgical procedure is that any method of contraception can be provided in conjunction with the procedure (in the case of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)) or post procedure (all other reversible methods). Sterilization should be tempered by the increased risk of regret and failure. Pre-assessment consultation is undertaken to assess gestation, identify multiple pregnancy and make an individual risk assessment for physical and mental health issues for any given individual. Routine screening for blood group and Rhesus factor and also screening for chlamydia and gonorrhoea as well as a venous thromboembolism risk assessment should be offered to everyone. Rhesus-negative women should be given anti-D.