Medical termination of early pregnancy: the Swedish experience.
Abortion has been legal up to the 22nd week of gestation in Sweden since 1975. Most women terminate their pregnancies early; 96% before the 12th week and 75% in less than 63 days. Termination of early pregnancy (up to 63 days' gestation) using mifepristone followed by gemeprost was approved in Sweden in 1992. Use of the medical method has slowly but steadily increased since then. Currently about 40% of the women eligible for the procedure choose it. Both the surgical (vacuum aspiration) and the medical methods are regarded as effective and safe. The medical method will not replace vacuum aspiration, but be an alternative to it.
Bygdeman
M
M
Department of Women and Child Health, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Danielsson
K G
KG
Marions
L
L
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D000029:Abortion, Legal / Q000379:methods*; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011639:Public Opinion; D013548:Sweden; D014619:Vacuum Curettage
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal; D015735:Mifepristone; C021182:gemeprost; D000527:Alprostadil