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Termination of Pregnancy (Abortion)

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Medicolegal Issues in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

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Abstract

Abortion is the spontaneous or induced termination of pregnancy. Abortion in England, Scotland and Wales is regulated by the Abortion Act 1967. All abortions other than those performed as an emergency require approval by two registered medical practitioners and must be performed in facilities registered for this purpose. Prior to proceeding with an abortion it is imperative that an intrauterine pregnancy be confirmed to avoid missing an ectopic pregnancy. Women should be informed that there is a small risk of failure to end the pregnancy and a risk of further intervention after the initial treatment. For pregnancy less than 14 weeks either a surgical or medical abortion is a feasible option whereas after 14 weeks, a medical termination would be advisable.

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References

  1. Abortion Act 1967. London: HMSO; 1967. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1967/87/contents. Accessed 25 Oct 2017.

  2. Scotland Act 2016. London: HMSO; 2016. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/11/contents. Accessed 25 Oct 2017.

  3. Department of Health. Abortion Statistics, England and Wales: 2016. Statistical Bulletin June 2017. London: DH; 2017.

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  4. Decriminalisation of abortion: a discussion paper from the BMA; 2017. p 16. https://www.bma.org.uk//media/files/pdfs/collective%20voice/committees/arm/2017/bma-2017-decriminalisation-of-abortion-discussion-paper.pdf. Accessed 25 Oct 2017.

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  5. Best practice in comprehensive post abortion care. Paper No 3. RCOG; 2016.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jessop Wing, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Sheffield, UK

    Swati Jha

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, St Mary’s Hospital, London, UK

    Lesley Regan

  3. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London, UK

    Lesley Regan

Authors
  1. Swati Jha
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  2. Lesley Regan
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Correspondence to Swati Jha .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jessop Wing, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Sheffield, UK

    Swati Jha

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jessop Wing, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Sheffield, UK

    Emma Ferriman

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Cite this chapter

Jha, S., Regan, L. (2018). Termination of Pregnancy (Abortion). In: Jha, S., Ferriman, E. (eds) Medicolegal Issues in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78683-4_57

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78683-4_57

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-78682-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-78683-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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