Second-trimester Abortion

Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2023 Dec 1;66(4):685-697. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0000000000000825. Epub 2023 Oct 20.

Abstract

In 2019, the US Centers for Disease Control reported that 7% of abortions were performed after 13 weeks of pregnancy, a small proportion of all terminations. However, the need for second-trimester abortions will increase commensurate with restrictions to access nationwide. Second-trimester abortions are performed with medications or through a procedure. Health care practitioners serving persons at risk of pregnancy should understand how abortions are performed and how to deliver evidence-based postabortion care. The purpose of this article is to provide a foundation for caring for individuals before, during, and after second-trimester abortion.

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Induced* / methods
  • Abortion, Spontaneous* / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Second