title: Can women determine the success of early medical termination of pregnancy themselves?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the outcome of early medical termination of pregnancy (TOP) among women who choose a "self assessment" follow up comprising a self-performed low sensitivity urine pregnancy test with instructions on signs/symptoms that mandate contacting the TOP service.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of computer databases of 1726 women choosing self-assessment after early medical TOP (<9 weeks) in the UK. The main outcome measures were (a) number of women choosing self-assessment, (b) contact rates with TOP service and (c) time to presentation with an ongoing pregnancy (failed TOP).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-six percent of women having an early medical TOP and going home to expel the pregnancy chose self-assessment. Two percent of women made unscheduled visits to the TOP service. One hundred and eighty-eight women (11%) telephoned the service about concerns related to complications or the success of treatment. There were eight ongoing pregnancies (0.5%; 95% confidence interval 0.2-0.9%). Four were detected within 4 weeks of treatment; the remainder were not detected until one or more missed menses after the procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most women having an early medical TOP, who go home to expel the pregnancy, choose self-assessment. Relatively few women make unscheduled visits or telephone the TOP service. Most ongoing pregnancies are recognized at an early stage, although late presentation (as with all methods of follow up) does still occur.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If women are given clear instructions on how and when to conduct a urine pregnancy test and on signs/symptoms that mandate contacting the TOP service, then they can confirm the success of early medical TOP themselves. Late presentation due to failure to recognize an ongoing pregnancy is rare.
authors.affiliation: Chalmers Sexual Health Clinic, 2a Chalmers Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9ES, Scotland, UK; Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Edinburgh, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh EH16 4SU; Simpson Centre for reproductive health, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh EH16 4SU. Electronic address: Sharon.cameron@ed.ac.uk.
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Edinburgh, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh EH16 4SU.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Glasier
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Edinburgh, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh EH16 4SU.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Johnstone
authors.affiliation: Simpson Centre for reproductive health, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh EH16 4SU.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dewart
authors.affiliation: Simpson Centre for reproductive health, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh EH16 4SU.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000027:Abortion, Incomplete / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000652:urine; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000652:urine; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003151:Community Health Centers; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011258:Pregnancy Tests; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D019037:Urban Health Services; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin
keywords: Low sensitivity pregnancy test; Medical abortion; Mifepristone; Misoprostol