Second-trimester surgical abortion practices: a survey of National Abortion Federation members.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this analysis was to assess the second-trimester surgical abortion practices of National Abortion Federation (NAF) members in North America and Australia.


METHODS
In 2002, questionnaires were mailed to 364 active member clinics of NAF for completion by their clinic administrators and individual providers.


RESULTS
Two hundred eighty-nine (79%) clinics responded. Most NAF clinics (72%) offer second-trimester abortion services. The majority of second-trimester providers are obstetrician/gynecologists (63%), male (62%) and at least 50 years old (63%). We describe second-trimester surgical abortion practices in terms of patient eligibility, cervical ripening, ultrasound use, anesthesia and postoperative care.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical techniques and postoperative practices for second-trimester abortions are similar among these respondents, suggesting that NAF's efforts to promulgate best practices using evidence-based guidelines are succeeding. The aging of skilled practitioners raises concerns about the future availability of second-trimester abortion.
O'Connell
Katharine
K
Department of OB/GYN, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. ko2032@columbia.edu
Jones
Heidi E
HE
Lichtenberg
E Steve
ES
Paul
Maureen
M
D000029:Abortion, Legal / Q000379:methods*; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001315:Australia; D002170:Canada; D004107:Dilatation and Curettage / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011247:Pregnancy; D011258:Pregnancy Tests; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States