Second-trimester abortion care for those with complex medical conditions

Abstract

Purpose of the review 

This review focuses on patients who are most likely to experience morbidity associated with second trimester abortion care and risk mitigation strategies.

Recent findings 

Prior cesarean birth, particularly multiple prior cesarean births, is the most significant risk factor associated with complications during second trimester abortion because of increased risks of hemorrhage, with or without placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), and distorted anatomy, which increases the risk of uterine perforation. Recent data suggests that first trimester ultrasound findings may be predictive of PAS, including multiple lacunae, abnormal uteroplacental interface, and hypervascularity. Multiple common medications interact with mifepristone and are therefore contraindicated; ulipristal shares mifepristone's selective progesterone receptor modulator activity but does not share the same metabolic pathway. Recent data suggests ulipristal may be an effective adjunct for cervical preparation, avoiding potentially mifepristone's drug–drug interactions. Those ending a pregnancy due to severe early-onset hypertensive disorders have a high rate of clinically significant thrombocytopenia: platelet transfusion is recommended for those with platelets <50 000 per cubic millimeter.

Summary 

Pregnant people presenting for care in the second trimester may have conditions that make an abortion more technically or medically complex. Clinicians can mitigate much of this increased risk with preprocedural planning, and appropriate intra-operative preparedness.