Title: [Abortion techniques in the USA]

POPLINE Document Number: 076569

Author(s):

Uhlir M

Source citation:

CESKOSLOVENSKA GYNEKOLOGIE, 1991 Nov;56(5-6):360-3.

Abstract:

Induced abortion became legal in the US in 1973 permitting pregnant women to decide on abortion up to the 24th week of gestation. Most frequent causes were poverty, contraceptive failure, unmarried status, or, among medical indications, fetal anomalies. In the basic procedure local patients received premedication, mostly the antiprostaglandin Ibuprofen in a dosage of 400-600 mg 1-2 hours before the procedure and the analgesic Percodan 1 hour before the intervention. In primipara and sensitive patients local anesthesia was used (20 ml of 1% Lidocaine subvaginally). For the prevention of the vagal reflex, Promethozin (Phenergan) was utilized. Up to the 10th week of pregnancy dilatation was employed. In primipara and for 12-18 weeks of pregnancy dilatation by 1 synthetic laminaria was applied (hydrogel polymer Hypan, Lamical, Dilapan) that was introduced 3 hours (Hypan) or 24 hours (Lamical, Dilapan) before the procedure. The Hypan laminaria expanded the cervix from 12 to 18 mm. All procedures up to the 16th week were done by vacuum aspiration reevaluated by abortion pincers. During the entire handling of biological material great care was paid to the prevention of transmission of AIDS by constantly changing gloves, but no preventive HIV tests were carried out. In all pregnancies, histological tests were done involving the uterine cavity. Rh negative patients obtained D globulin in doses corresponding to the length of pregnancy. Every patient received tetracycline for prevention for 4 days. 14 days later the patient got a control pregnancy test and was instructed about contraception. Complications were similar to Czech statistics: mortality in the 1st trimester was .5 death/100,000 abortions, and in the 2nd trimester it was 1 death/100,000 procedures. However, antiabortion groups published substantially different figures about deaths and complications such as anorexia, divorce, and dyspareunia.

Keywords:

United States
Czechoslovakia
Abortion
Preoperative Procedures
Analgesia
Cervical Dilatation
Laminaria Tents
North America
Americas
Developed Countries
Europe, Central
Europe
Developing Countries
Fertility Control, Postconception
Family Planning
Surgery
Treatment
Interest Groups
Political Factors