What can obstetrician/gynecologists do to support abortion access?

Abstract

Unsafe abortion causes approximately 13% of all maternal deaths worldwide, with higher rates in areas where abortion access is restricted. Because safe abortion is so low risk, if all women who needed an abortion could access safe care, this rate would drop dramatically. As women's health providers and advocates, obstetrician/gynecologists can support abortion access. By delivering high-quality, evidence-based care ourselves, supporting other providers who perform abortion, helping women who access abortion in the community, providing second-trimester care, and improving contraceptive uptake, we can decrease morbidity and mortality from unsafe abortion.

Professional societies of obstetrics and gynecology as agents of change in sexual and reproductive health:FIGO's 10‐country safe abortion advocacy project in Africa and Latin America

“…These trainings were used in various ways with diverse stakeholder groups and the data presented add support to existing evidence on the effectiveness of VCAT workshops to address internal resistance and build support for SRHR and abortion. 22 The evidence also anecdotally supports ObGyn societies' success working with healthcare professionals, health systems, clinical practice, and policy/law on abortion, [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] this project also demonstrates their successful ability to influence nontypical stakeholder groups, such as religious and traditional leaders and healers, young people, police/judiciary, media, and the public.…”

“…Evidence demonstrates that national professional associations of obstetrics and gynecology (hereafter called ObGyn societies) are well placed to strengthen abortion care from service delivery and health systems, to using their expertise and evidence to inform best practice law and policy and influence behavior change. Their direct exposure to the consequences of unsafe abortion, their understanding of the barriers and risk factors women and girls may experience in accessing abortion care, their close links and advisory roles with their ministries of health and other influential decision‐makers, their role in national task‐force groups, and their leverage in influencing healthcare professionals, including their ability to convene members for education and training, all contribute to elevate their status as credible and impartial yet influential scientific bodies 6–14 …”

“…consequences of unsafe abortion, their understanding of the barriers and risk factors women and girls may experience in accessing abortion care, their close links and advisory roles with their ministries of health and other influential decision-makers, their role in national task-force groups, and their leverage in influencing healthcare professionals, including their ability to convene members for education and training, all contribute to elevate their status as credible and impartial yet influential scientific bodies. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] FIGO is the world's largest alliance of national societies of obstetrics and gynecology, representing more than 132 autonomous professional societies, and is dedicated to the health and well-being of women, girls, and newborns. FIGO works across four pillars: education, research implementation, advocacy, and capacity-building, which are delivered through its convenings and communications, the work of thematic expert committees, and projects.…”

A modern view on the termination of an unwanted pregnancy by a non-surgical method

“…Необхідно повторити застосування мізопростолу. За відсутності ефекту виконують вакуум-аспірацію порожнини матки [6,7,8,13].…”

Second Trimester Medical Termination of Pregnancy. Challenges of Implementation

“…Последние 30 лет ведется работа по улучшению технологии аборта с точки зрения эффективности, безопасности (снижение риска осложнений), технической простоты выполнения, приемлемости, улучшения контроля над болью и кровопотерей [4,[22][23][24].…”