Medical abortion

Advertising

Unit 633

May 2026

Medical abortion

The purpose of this activity is to enhance general practitioners’ knowledge about medical abortion, whether as a provider of this service or to provide accurate, up-to-date information about this option to patients.

This activity is for general practitioners who would like to learn more about medical abortion.

While most patients have made their decision about an unintended pregnancy prior to seeing a clinician, for some it is a difficult one. The first case scenario will provide some helpful strategies for assisting patients with this. There are particular challenges when providing medical abortion in remote settings, which are discussed in the second case scenario, along with the information patients will need to know about medical abortion. While most medical abortions are uncomplicated, the third and fourth cases discuss identification and management of important complications. The final case considers the issue of contraception, including how and when the different methods can be commenced after a medical abortion.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this module, you will be able to:
  • explain the initial management of a person presenting with an unintended pregnancy
  • outline the essential information to provide a person considering a medical abortion
  • discuss possible complications of medical abortion and strategies to reduce the risk of these occurring
  • discuss contraception options following a medical abortion, and when these can safely commence.

Case studies

Below is a list of the case studies found in this month's unit of check. To see how these case studies unfold and gain valuable insights into this month's topic, log into gplearning to complete the course. 

Kahira, a Year 10 student aged 15 years, presents following a positive home urine pregnancy test that she took because her period was 1 week late. Her periods are usually very regular. She wants to have children while young but is still at school and has plans to go to university. She feels having a baby will affect her plans and is unsure how she would manage financially. She has a boyfriend, Hadi, aged 16 years, who is also at school. He has presented at the appointment with her. She has told two close friends about the pregnancy; one is in the waiting room to support Kahira today.

Joyce, an Aboriginal woman aged 20 years, lives in a remote community in the Northern Territory. Her community has a local clinic staffed by Aboriginal Health Workers, Aboriginal Health Practitioners and nurses. A male general practitioner visits once a week. The clinic has an emergency room and 24-hour retrieval services. The nearest tertiary hospital is in Darwin, a 4-hour drive or 1-hour flight away.

Grazia, aged 39 years, completed a medical termination of pregnancy 14 days ago as per protocol, at 7 weeks + 1 day gestation (intrauterine pregnancy confirmed on ultrasound). On the day she took step 1 (mifepristone), her serum beta-hCG level was 103,000 IU/L. She did not attend for the scheduled repeat quantitative beta-hCG blood test and presents today for follow-up.

Sienna, a university student aged 24 years, presents for review 7 days after a medical abortion (mifepristone and misoprostol at 6 weeks + 4 days gestation). She reports ongoing mild cramping and light bleeding. Over the past 2 days she has noticed brown, slightly smelly vaginal discharge, mild pelvic discomfort and increased fatigue. She denies fever or rigors.

Stephanie (she/her), aged 28 years, has come to see you for an early medical abortion. Her gestation is 6 weeks + 1 day and her ultrasound, performed yesterday, shows a live intrauterine pregnancy consistent with her dates. Stephanie has considered her options and is sure of her decision to end the pregnancy.

TOPICS

Advertising