Trial shows abortion at home 'safe'

Press Association
Feb. 17, 2006

A pilot study looking at whether women could safely have medical abortions in their own homes has proved a success, reports have announced.

One of the projects, set up by the Department of Health, has found that women who are less than nine weeks pregnant can safely have the medical abortion by taking tablets at home or somewhere other than a hospital setting.

Nursing Standard said none of the 172 women who had abortions as part of the pilot experienced serious complications after taking the tablets under the supervision of a nurse in a primary care centre.

The pilot could pave the way for allowing women to have medical abortions in GP surgeries, family planning clinics and in their own homes.

Project manager Shirley Butler told the magazine: "This has been a successful pilot and it has proved that abortion is safe outside a hospital.

"We have had few problems. Some women experienced pain and they were given painkillers. One woman had haemorrhaging, but if she had been at home she would have called our helpline and she would have been given help."

For a medical abortion, a woman takes a tablet of the drug mifepristone under supervision before returning two days later to take four pills of misoprostol which leads to a termination within a few hours.

Fears have been raised about making medical abortions easier as anti-abortion campaigners claim it could boost the numbers opting for abortion without considering other choices.

Anne Weyman, chief executive of Family Planning Association, said: "It's very encouraging that this pilot study has been so successful.

"Medical abortion is a highly safe and effective procedure, and completing the second stage at home can provide greater comfort and privacy."

© Copyright Press Association Ltd 2006, All Rights Reserved.