Community-generated resource library-Extending Outpatient Medical Abortion Services Through 70 Days of Gestational Age

Extending Outpatient Medical Abortion Services Through 70 Days of Gestational Age

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The study, "Extending Outpatient Medical Abortion Services Through 70 Days of Gestational Age," aimed to assess the efficacy and acceptability of medical abortions conducted between 64–70 days from the last menstrual period (LMP) and compared these with procedures between 57–63 days. The trial enrolled 729 women from six U.S. clinics using a regimen of 200 mg mifepristone and 800 micrograms buccal misoprostol. <br /><br />Results indicated similar success rates between the two groups: 93.5% in the 57–63 days range and 92.8% in the 64–70 days bracket. Ongoing pregnancy rates were also comparable at around 3%. The study highlighted that extending medical abortion services to 70 days from LMP showed no statistically or clinically significant differences in outcomes, thus supporting the efficacy and acceptability of the procedure within this extended range without altering current outpatient services.<br /><br />Participants reported a high level of satisfaction, with over 87% in each group describing their experience as satisfactory or very satisfactory. Side effects were similar across both groups, with the exception of vomiting, which was more prevalent in the 64–70 days group.<br /><br />Overall, the findings support the safe expansion of medical abortion services up to 70 days of gestation, providing a viable non-surgical option for women seeking early-term termination. The results contribute to the possibility of extending outpatient medical abortion availability to include up to 70 days gestational age, maintaining high efficacy and patient satisfaction levels, thereby enhancing reproductive health services.

Keywords

medical abortion

gestational age

mifepristone

misoprostol

outpatient services

pregnancy termination

reproductive health

patient satisfaction

vomiting side effect

clinical trial