Title: IUD insertion following medical TOP [letter]

POPLINE Document Number: 194632

Author(s):

Selvakumari N
Stevenson E
Cooper M
Tasker M

Source citation:

Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, 2004 Jul;30(3):196.

Abstract:

We found the FFPRHC Guidance on ‘The copper intrauterine device as long-term contraception’ most informative but were surprised by the lack of data relating to intrauterine device (IUD) insertion following medical termination of pregnancy (TOP). Our district general hospital performs more than 300 medical TOPs annually up to 83 days’ gestation. All women are screened for sexually transmitted infections and there is a 96% complete miscarriage rate. In a proportion of cases abortion occurs or completes at home in the first few days following the administration of misoprostol. If abortion occurs in hospital, contraception such as oral contraceptives or DepoProvera is commenced immediately by the nursing staff. Women are then reviewed in a weekly specialist family planning clinic approximately 7–10 days after their termination procedure. This review ensures that the termination is complete and allows the patient’s physical and emotional status to be assessed. IUDs or implants are inserted at this visit. Occasionally at this review appointment bleeding is still continuing and further misoprostol is required to expel all products of conception. Another appointment is then made 1 week later for the IUD fitting. (excerpt)

Keywords:

United Kingdom
Critique
Recommendations
Evaluation
Pregnant Women
Women
IUD, Copper Releasing
Abortion
Pregnancy, First Trimester
Time Factors
IUD Expulsion
Developed Countries
Europe, Western
Europe
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
IUD
Contraceptive Methods
Contraception
Family Planning
Fertility Control, Postconception
Pregnancy
Reproduction
Population Dynamics