Maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists' provision of second-trimester termination services.
OBJECTIVE
Most abortions for pregnancy complications occur in the second trimester. Little is known about whether maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists (MFMs) perform terminations for these women.


METHODS
We surveyed all members of Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine by e-mail or mail regarding second-trimester abortion provision. We conducted analyses of whether MFMs perform abortions, by what method, and how frequently.


RESULTS
Our response rate was 32.4% (689/2,125). Over two-thirds of respondents perform either dilation and evacuation (D&E) or induction; 31% perform D&Es. Male gender, frequent chorionic villus sampling provision, and being trained in D&E during fellowship are associated with performing D&Es. Nonprovision of any second-trimester abortion is significantly associated with age over 50, nonacademic practice setting, and less supportive abortion attitudes (p < 0.001). A nonsignificant trend toward association between south/southeast region and nonprovision of any second-trimester abortion is seen (p = 0.09).


CONCLUSIONS
Many MFMs include D&E and induction termination services in their practice. Supporting current D&E providers and expanding training options for MFMs may optimize care for women diagnosed with serious pregnancy complications.
Division of San Francisco General Hospital, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA. kernsjl@obgyn.ucsf.edu
Jennifer L
JL
Kerns
Jody E
JE
Steinauer
Melissa G
MG
Rosenstein
Jema K
JK
Turk
Aaron B
AB
Caughey
Mary
M
D'Alton
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015193:Chorionic Villi Sampling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires