Abortion remains a topical issue, globally, primary because it affects one of the fundamental rights. This presentation is not for debate, but simply highlights the South African laws and regulations as they relate to Termination of Pregnancy (TOP), and the different methods available.
Postpartum psychosis is a severe mental illness which develops acutely in the early postnatal period. It is a psychiatric emergency. Identifying women at risk allows development of care plans to allow early detection and treatment. Management requires specialist care. Health professionals must take into account the needs of the family and new baby, as well as the risks of medication whilst breast-feeding.
PPD is similar to clinical depression.it is not only prevalent among women but also in men. sufferers are not alone and they can prevent this by talk, talk and talk.
Postpartum psychosis is a severe mental illness which develops acutely in the early postnatal period. It is a psychiatric emergency. Identifying women at risk allows development of care plans to allow early detection and treatment. Management requires specialist care. Health professionals must take into account the needs of the family and new baby, as well as the risks of medication whilst breast-feeding.
PPD is similar to clinical depression.it is not only prevalent among women but also in men. sufferers are not alone and they can prevent this by talk, talk and talk.
High risk approach in maternal and child healthShrooti Shah
High risk pregnancy is defined as one which is complicated by factor or factors that adversely affects the pregnancy outcome –maternal or perinatal or both.The risk factors may be pre-existing prior to or at the time of first antenatal visit or may develop subsequently in the ongoing pregnancy labour or puerperium.
Over 50 percent of all maternal complications and 60 percent of all primary caesarean sections arise from the high risk group of cases.
Cervical ripening is the preparation of the cervix for labour and delivery. The Bishop score is the commonest used methodology to assess it. For more like this visit my page on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@mudiagaakpoghene2243
Sexually transmitted disease in pregnancyDR MUKESH SAH
An STI during pregnancy can pose serious health risks for you and your baby. As a result, screening for STIs , such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B, chlamydia and syphilis, generally takes place at the first prenatal visit for all pregnant women.
Abortion should be legal but also regulatedEchi JC
Abortion has become an extremely controversial issue in many countries of the world today. For centuries, abortion was scorned or forbidden in many countries around the
world. Yet in the last half of the 20th century, abortion was not merely accepted—it was embraced!
It’s the basic right of every woman to make her own decision about whether and when to have a child—without having to put her health or her life at risk.
The Indo-American Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences plays a crucial role in the scientific community by providing a platform for the exchange and dissemination of research findings in the fields of Pharmacy and Bio Sciences is the scope and journal of the best science journals.
High risk approach in maternal and child healthShrooti Shah
High risk pregnancy is defined as one which is complicated by factor or factors that adversely affects the pregnancy outcome –maternal or perinatal or both.The risk factors may be pre-existing prior to or at the time of first antenatal visit or may develop subsequently in the ongoing pregnancy labour or puerperium.
Over 50 percent of all maternal complications and 60 percent of all primary caesarean sections arise from the high risk group of cases.
Cervical ripening is the preparation of the cervix for labour and delivery. The Bishop score is the commonest used methodology to assess it. For more like this visit my page on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@mudiagaakpoghene2243
Sexually transmitted disease in pregnancyDR MUKESH SAH
An STI during pregnancy can pose serious health risks for you and your baby. As a result, screening for STIs , such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B, chlamydia and syphilis, generally takes place at the first prenatal visit for all pregnant women.
Abortion should be legal but also regulatedEchi JC
Abortion has become an extremely controversial issue in many countries of the world today. For centuries, abortion was scorned or forbidden in many countries around the
world. Yet in the last half of the 20th century, abortion was not merely accepted—it was embraced!
It’s the basic right of every woman to make her own decision about whether and when to have a child—without having to put her health or her life at risk.
The Indo-American Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences plays a crucial role in the scientific community by providing a platform for the exchange and dissemination of research findings in the fields of Pharmacy and Bio Sciences is the scope and journal of the best science journals.
The effort to find out which one is better abortion or childbirth, relate it to Islamic teaching and conventional law. sorry for any kind of mistake/wrong.
Family planning class for MBBS students based on Park textbook including details on MTP, abortion, Family planning infrastructure and delivery systems in India and National Family Welfare Programme.
Abortion has been one of the major controversies in our contemporary society. Some people are in support to legalization of abortion, others are yet undecided on which side to support, and the rest are in total opposition of the notion of legalizing abortion. Abortion is the termination of the pregnancy by removal of the fetus or embryo before its complete growth. The process of abortion can be induced either artificially or naturally due to ranging reasons be it positive or negative. In this research paper I will cover both sides in order to establish a conclusion as to whether abortion should be legalized or not. I will cover both the positive and negative effects to an individual or the society at large.
Types Of Abortions. Which Kind of Abortion Should I Choose.pptxNeil Adams
Abortion pills used to safely and effectively terminate less than 10 weeks of pregnancy. View Abortion pill’s uses, side-effects, drug interactions and user FAQs only on OnlineGenericMedicine.
Patient safety Incident (PSI) is an unplanned or unintended event or circumstance that could have resulted or did result in harm to a patient while in the care of a health facility. In this presentation, I explored the concepts of patient safety and patient safety incidents. I also explored the concept of Reporting systems, properly now known as reporting and learning systems - because learning is paramount in the reporting system. I focused on the minimal information model, which is more routinely used compared to the intermediate and full information models.
It is unacceptable that there is still a lot of new HIV infections, particularly when there is a known high-risk exposure to the disease. It is important to know that Post-exposure prophylaxis is a medical emergency, and as part of effort to reduce the burden of HIV, post-exposure prophylaxis has been found to be effective when done appropriately. This presentation explores the concept of post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV and the latest changes in the guidelines.
“Undetectable = Untransmittable” (U=U) is a campaign that has caused a few controversies, not to mention the medicolegal implications. This campaign confirms that the sexual transmission of HIV can be stopped once the infected partner is virologically suppressed. How true is this and how relevant is it? In this presentation, I discussed the concept of U=U as one of the measures to reduce the incidence of HIV and help people live a more fulfilling life while also living with the disease.
TB remains an important disease condition globally, particularly with the high prevalence of HIV in many parts of the world. While there is interest in providing the adequate and often readily-available treatment, it might do more harm to the patient. In this presentation, I explored the concept of IRIS in the management of tuberculosis.
Experiencing any type of bleeding can be uncomfortable and frightening for patients, and it is one of the primary reasons they seek medical attention. In this case presentation, I will discuss some crucial approaches to patients who present with lower gastrointestinal bleeding, as well as some key take-home messages.
Headache is a common condition encountered by clinicians in general practice and primary care on a daily basis. Although most headaches are mild, some can be severe and debilitating. It is therefore crucial to recognize common symptoms, identify warning signs, and develop an appropriate management plan for headaches.
This is a presentation about the importance of Evidence Based Medicine and how it acts as a crucial tool in decision making to empower the quality of medical services for better patient outcomes.
It highlights the steps in EBM process, how to identify the parts of a well built clinical question, resources for literature search, critical appraisal of the evidence, and how to apply the evidence to the patient.
Infection Prevention and Control in Hospitals by Dr DeleKemi Dele-Ijagbulu
Infection prevention and control is everybody's business! It is an essential, though often under-recognised and under supported part of the infrastructure of health care. However it saves lives and prevents avoidable morbidity and mortality. This presentation highlights the importance and the practical components of infection prevention and control in the hospital setting.
This presentation on renal function touches on basic anatomy and physiology, investigations relevant to kidney function and clinical practice, and focuses on clinically important disorders - including glomerular diseases - nephrotic syndrome & Glomerulonephritides, acute kidney injury, Chronic kidney disease, HIV and CKD including HIVAN, and renal calculi
Tuberculosis is a chronic, wasting, communicable disease, which made a huge comeback with the HIV pandemic, making it an opportunistic infection, and and an AID-defining infection. This presentation explores the different types of tuberculosis in terms of their locations (pulmonary and extra-pulmonary) as well as in terms of their drug susceptibility. It also addresses the approach to the management of each one of these.
In the early days of the COVID pandemic, the World Tuberculosis Day was marked, with the Theme: "It is Time". It is time to take action, to ensure universal access to treatment, to stop stigma and discrimination, and to end TB.
I had the opportunity to present this topic as part of the wellness efforts for our staff members. Many of our patients live with TB, many of our staff develop TB in the process, and the COVID pandemic was already in the country, complication case identification and case management of the disease.
This presentation touches briefly on the vaginal discharges, both physiological and pathological, approach to management, and a brief touch on pelvic inflammatory disease.
This presentation focuses on the all important topic of childhood malnutrition. It addresses the different components, both acute and chronic, but focuses more on the severe acute malnutrition which is the most important killer, particularly for the under-5s.
terms like kwashiokor and marasmus are no longer in use.
This presentation focuses on the entity known as pyrexia of unknown origin / fever of unknown origin. It demonstrates both common and rare causes, and the epidemiological trend, its clinical presentation, management and prognosis.
This presentation focuses on common obstetrics emergencies. These include early pregnancy complications such as miscarriages and ectopic pregnancy. As well as abdominal pain. Other include haemorrhage, hypertensive state, and sepsis.
This presentation addresses respiratory emergencies, and the approach to their management. These include: anaphylaxis, pneumonias, flail chest, pleural effusion, pulmonary embolism,
This presentation focuses on informed decision making in clinical practice making use of evidence based practice. It addresses the use of PICO to formulate clinical question, searching the evidence/literature, critically appraising the evidence, and application of the evidence to improve the quality of clinical practice
Multiple myeloma is mostly a disease of the elderly. It is a form of haematological cancers that affects the Lymphocytes, and causes abnormal proliferation of plasma cells within the bone marrow, thus replacing the marrow, and is associated with multiple organ dysfunction.
This presentation is an introduction to the disease. It however leaves out the specific haematological treatment, because by that point, patient should have been referred to haematology.
Spinal Cord Injuries are uncommon, but they are a leading cause of high cost disability, and with ageing population, the incidence is expected to increase. This presentation looks at the many facets of spinal cord injuries.
Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism is often difficult. This presentation highlights step-wise and practical approach to the diagnosis of PE in short and precise fashion.
Ozempic: Preoperative Management of Patients on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Saeid Safari
Preoperative Management of Patients on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists like Ozempic and Semiglutide
ASA GUIDELINE
NYSORA Guideline
2 Case Reports of Gastric Ultrasound
Pulmonary Thromboembolism - etilogy, types, medical- Surgical and nursing man...VarunMahajani
Disruption of blood supply to lung alveoli due to blockage of one or more pulmonary blood vessels is called as Pulmonary thromboembolism. In this presentation we will discuss its causes, types and its management in depth.
These lecture slides, by Dr Sidra Arshad, offer a quick overview of physiological basis of a normal electrocardiogram.
Learning objectives:
1. Define an electrocardiogram (ECG) and electrocardiography
2. Describe how dipoles generated by the heart produce the waveforms of the ECG
3. Describe the components of a normal electrocardiogram of a typical bipolar leads (limb II)
4. Differentiate between intervals and segments
5. Enlist some common indications for obtaining an ECG
Study Resources:
1. Chapter 11, Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, 14th edition
2. Chapter 9, Human Physiology - From Cells to Systems, Lauralee Sherwood, 9th edition
3. Chapter 29, Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology, 26th edition
4. Electrocardiogram, StatPearls - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549803/
5. ECG in Medical Practice by ABM Abdullah, 4th edition
6. ECG Basics, http://www.nataliescasebook.com/tag/e-c-g-basics
micro teaching on communication m.sc nursing.pdfAnurag Sharma
Microteaching is a unique model of practice teaching. It is a viable instrument for the. desired change in the teaching behavior or the behavior potential which, in specified types of real. classroom situations, tends to facilitate the achievement of specified types of objectives.
These simplified slides by Dr. Sidra Arshad present an overview of the non-respiratory functions of the respiratory tract.
Learning objectives:
1. Enlist the non-respiratory functions of the respiratory tract
2. Briefly explain how these functions are carried out
3. Discuss the significance of dead space
4. Differentiate between minute ventilation and alveolar ventilation
5. Describe the cough and sneeze reflexes
Study Resources:
1. Chapter 39, Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, 14th edition
2. Chapter 34, Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology, 26th edition
3. Chapter 17, Human Physiology by Lauralee Sherwood, 9th edition
4. Non-respiratory functions of the lungs https://academic.oup.com/bjaed/article/13/3/98/278874
Knee anatomy and clinical tests 2024.pdfvimalpl1234
This includes all relevant anatomy and clinical tests compiled from standard textbooks, Campbell,netter etc..It is comprehensive and best suited for orthopaedicians and orthopaedic residents.
Tom Selleck Health: A Comprehensive Look at the Iconic Actor’s Wellness Journeygreendigital
Tom Selleck, an enduring figure in Hollywood. has captivated audiences for decades with his rugged charm, iconic moustache. and memorable roles in television and film. From his breakout role as Thomas Magnum in Magnum P.I. to his current portrayal of Frank Reagan in Blue Bloods. Selleck's career has spanned over 50 years. But beyond his professional achievements. fans have often been curious about Tom Selleck Health. especially as he has aged in the public eye.
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Introduction
Many have been interested in Tom Selleck health. not only because of his enduring presence on screen but also because of the challenges. and lifestyle choices he has faced and made over the years. This article delves into the various aspects of Tom Selleck health. exploring his fitness regimen, diet, mental health. and the challenges he has encountered as he ages. We'll look at how he maintains his well-being. the health issues he has faced, and his approach to ageing .
Early Life and Career
Childhood and Athletic Beginnings
Tom Selleck was born on January 29, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Sherman Oaks, California. From an early age, he was involved in sports, particularly basketball. which played a significant role in his physical development. His athletic pursuits continued into college. where he attended the University of Southern California (USC) on a basketball scholarship. This early involvement in sports laid a strong foundation for his physical health and disciplined lifestyle.
Transition to Acting
Selleck's transition from an athlete to an actor came with its physical demands. His first significant role in "Magnum P.I." required him to perform various stunts and maintain a fit appearance. This role, which he played from 1980 to 1988. necessitated a rigorous fitness routine to meet the show's demands. setting the stage for his long-term commitment to health and wellness.
Fitness Regimen
Workout Routine
Tom Selleck health and fitness regimen has evolved. adapting to his changing roles and age. During his "Magnum, P.I." days. Selleck's workouts were intense and focused on building and maintaining muscle mass. His routine included weightlifting, cardiovascular exercises. and specific training for the stunts he performed on the show.
Selleck adjusted his fitness routine as he aged to suit his body's needs. Today, his workouts focus on maintaining flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular health. He incorporates low-impact exercises such as swimming, walking, and light weightlifting. This balanced approach helps him stay fit without putting undue strain on his joints and muscles.
Importance of Flexibility and Mobility
In recent years, Selleck has emphasized the importance of flexibility and mobility in his fitness regimen. Understanding the natural decline in muscle mass and joint flexibility with age. he includes stretching and yoga in his routine. These practices help prevent injuries, improve posture, and maintain mobilit
Couples presenting to the infertility clinic- Do they really have infertility...Sujoy Dasgupta
Dr Sujoy Dasgupta presented the study on "Couples presenting to the infertility clinic- Do they really have infertility? – The unexplored stories of non-consummation" in the 13th Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE 2024) at Manila on 24 May, 2024.
Flu Vaccine Alert in Bangalore Karnatakaaddon Scans
As flu season approaches, health officials in Bangalore, Karnataka, are urging residents to get their flu vaccinations. The seasonal flu, while common, can lead to severe health complications, particularly for vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions.
Dr. Vidisha Kumari, a leading epidemiologist in Bangalore, emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated. "The flu vaccine is our best defense against the influenza virus. It not only protects individuals but also helps prevent the spread of the virus in our communities," he says.
This year, the flu season is expected to coincide with a potential increase in other respiratory illnesses. The Karnataka Health Department has launched an awareness campaign highlighting the significance of flu vaccinations. They have set up multiple vaccination centers across Bangalore, making it convenient for residents to receive their shots.
To encourage widespread vaccination, the government is also collaborating with local schools, workplaces, and community centers to facilitate vaccination drives. Special attention is being given to ensuring that the vaccine is accessible to all, including marginalized communities who may have limited access to healthcare.
Residents are reminded that the flu vaccine is safe and effective. Common side effects are mild and may include soreness at the injection site, mild fever, or muscle aches. These side effects are generally short-lived and far less severe than the flu itself.
Healthcare providers are also stressing the importance of continuing COVID-19 precautions. Wearing masks, practicing good hand hygiene, and maintaining social distancing are still crucial, especially in crowded places.
Protect yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated. Together, we can help keep Bangalore healthy and safe this flu season. For more information on vaccination centers and schedules, residents can visit the Karnataka Health Department’s official website or follow their social media pages.
Stay informed, stay safe, and get your flu shot today!
The prostate is an exocrine gland of the male mammalian reproductive system
It is a walnut-sized gland that forms part of the male reproductive system and is located in front of the rectum and just below the urinary bladder
Function is to store and secrete a clear, slightly alkaline fluid that constitutes 10-30% of the volume of the seminal fluid that along with the spermatozoa, constitutes semen
A healthy human prostate measures (4cm-vertical, by 3cm-horizontal, 2cm ant-post ).
It surrounds the urethra just below the urinary bladder. It has anterior, median, posterior and two lateral lobes
It’s work is regulated by androgens which are responsible for male sex characteristics
Generalised disease of the prostate due to hormonal derangement which leads to non malignant enlargement of the gland (increase in the number of epithelial cells and stromal tissue)to cause compression of the urethra leading to symptoms (LUTS
- Video recording of this lecture in English language: https://youtu.be/lK81BzxMqdo
- Video recording of this lecture in Arabic language: https://youtu.be/Ve4P0COk9OI
- Link to download the book free: https://nephrotube.blogspot.com/p/nephrotube-nephrology-books.html
- Link to NephroTube website: www.NephroTube.com
- Link to NephroTube social media accounts: https://nephrotube.blogspot.com/p/join-nephrotube-on-social-media.html
New Drug Discovery and Development .....NEHA GUPTA
The "New Drug Discovery and Development" process involves the identification, design, testing, and manufacturing of novel pharmaceutical compounds with the aim of introducing new and improved treatments for various medical conditions. This comprehensive endeavor encompasses various stages, including target identification, preclinical studies, clinical trials, regulatory approval, and post-market surveillance. It involves multidisciplinary collaboration among scientists, researchers, clinicians, regulatory experts, and pharmaceutical companies to bring innovative therapies to market and address unmet medical needs.
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2. TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY: INTRODUCTION
Termination of pregnancy (also known as induced abortion) is one of the most commonly
performed gynaecological procedures
3. TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY: INTRODUCTION
“Because I was able to get an abortion, I moved beyond being the typical girl from the township
who gets pregnant. I made it. I made it out of that poverty and patriarchy.” - Puleng
___________________________________
Puleng credits being able to access a safe abortion during high school with allowing her not only to matriculate
but go onto graduate from university and have a successful career.
https://serve.mg.co.za/content/documents/2018/05/07/i8jNT5fVReGoh4Uray3r_Bhekisisa_SafeAbortion_final_2018.pdf
4. INTRODUCTION, CONTD.
Abortion has
been legal in
South Africa
for decades.
Until 1997,
access to
termination
of
pregnancy
services was
extremely
limited and
largely
confined to
white
women.
But on 11
December
1996, South
Africa’s first
democratical
ly-elected
Parliament
enacted the
Choice of
Termination
of
Pregnancy
Act.
On 1
February
1997, when
the Choice
on
Termination
of
Pregnancy
Act (Act 92
of 1996)
came into
force,
providing
abortion on
demand for
a variety of
cases
The legislation
replaced the 1975
“Abortion and
Sterilization Act”,
which was said to
discriminate
against black,
coloured and
Indian women –
while it allowed
women to seek
out abortions, it
also required that
two independent
and largely
private
physicians, and
this was not
available in
underserved
areas.
5. CHOICE OF
TERMINATION OF
PREGNANCY ACT The legislation guaranteed
women of all ages the
right to seek an abortion
during the first 12 weeks of
pregnancy.
The law also allows women to
obtain abortions up until 20
weeks in certain circumstances
such as rape, incest or economic
hardship provided two
healthcare providers agree to it.
7. EPIDEMIOLOGY
Tens of thousands of safe, legal abortions happen every year in South Africa.
In 2017, 73 072 abortions were performed at state health facilities, according to the national health
department
There is a challenge in documenting or tracking which health facilities provide services regularly.
This is because abortion services are so fragile they often rely on a single trained nurse such that
when that nurse goes, the abortion services collapse,
It is unknown for sure how many people undergo illegal abortions or how many women die each
year from illegal abortions. Such data basically don’t exist.
8. EPIDEMIOLOGY
There has since the legalisation of abortion on demand been a decrease in deaths from backstreet
abortions
However, the number of deaths following abortions are still quite high — 5% of maternal deaths
following childbirth are abortion related, and 57% of these are related to illegal abortions.
12. 1. LEGAL POSITION:
0 – 12 WEEKS
In South Africa, any woman of any age can
get an abortion by simply requesting with no
reasons given if she is less than 13 weeks
pregnant.
13. 2. LEGAL POSITION:
13 – 20 WEEKS
If she is between 13 and 20 weeks pregnant,
she can get the abortion if
(a) her own physical or mental health is at
stake,
(b) the baby will have severe mental or
physical abnormalities,
(c) she is pregnant because of incest,
(d) she is pregnant because of rape, or
(e) she is of the personal opinion that her
economic or social situation is sufficient
reason for the termination of pregnancy.
14. 3. LEGAL POSITION:
> 20 WEEKS
If she is more than 20 weeks pregnant, she
can get the abortion only if her or the fetus'
life is in danger or there are likely to be
serious birth defects
15. OTHER PROVISIONS
A woman under the age of 18 will be advised
to consult her parents, but she can decide
not to inform or consult them if she so
chooses.
A woman who is married or in a life-partner
relationship will be advised to consult her
partner, but again she can decide not to
inform or consult him/her.
An exception is that if the woman is severely
mentally ill or has been unconscious for a
long time, where consent of a life-partner,
parent or legal guardian is required.
17. ILLEGAL “BACKDOOR” ABORTION
“A gap remains between the legally enshrined rights of women and their actual access to legal
and safe abortions. The supply and demand of unsafe, illegal abortions thrive on this divide,
mostly through brazen advertising to which no counter-narrative exists to inform women that
abortion is legal and can be done safely in most public hospitals.”
- Dr Indira Govender, Family Medicine Physician
18. SOME
COMPONENTS OF
THE TOP ACTS:
ILLEGAL
“BACKDOOR”
ABORTION
An unsafe abortion is one performed by someone lacking the necessary skills
and / or which takes place in an environment that does not meet medical
standards.
More than 20 years after abortion became legal for everyone in South
Africa we’re still talking about unsafe and illegal terminations.
Posters for dangerous, illegal abortions are on every street corner in most
cities.
Sadly also, information on where to get a safe, legal abortion is hard to
come by.
Also worrisome is the fact that many illegal abortionists use slick
marketing and even websites to look legitimate.
In the past, backstreet abortions were usually surgical. Today, they are
often medical, although they may involve incorrect drugs and dosages
19. SOME COMPONENTS OF THE TOP ACTS:
CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR
A term commonly used to
describe doctors or nurses who
will not perform abortions
because it violates their
personal or religious beliefs.
In non-emergencies, these
health workers can refuse to
participate in an abortion, but
they must explain their decision
to patients in a non-stigmatising
way.
They must however affirm that
a patient has a right to
terminate her pregnancy.
The health workers must also
make the necessary
arrangements to enable the
patient to be seen by another
health worker who can provide
the abortion .
20. SOME
COMPONENTS OF
THE TOP ACTS:
CONSENT
There is no age of consent for abortions.
Any woman at any age can request the procedure.
Minors (people under the age of 18) do not need their parents’ /
guardians’ permission.
Only in two cases does abortion require the consent of a woman’s
guardian, spouse or a court-appointed curator:
• 1. When a person is unconscious and health workers do not expect her to regain
consciousness in time to have an abortion; or
• 2. When a person with a uterus is so severely mentally disabled that they do not
understand / appreciate the nature or consequences of a termination
In these cases, two health workers — or a medical practitioner and
a trained midwife — must also give consent.
21. SOME COMPONENTS OF THE TOP ACTS:
CONSENT
This same medical team — or a medical practitioner and a trained midwife — can deem that:
• a woman who is comatose is in need of an abortion; OR
• a woman who is severely mentally disabled is in need of an abortion; OR
• abortion is needed for medical, social or financial reasons; OR
• abortion is needed because the pregnancy was a product of rape or incest
beyond the 13th week of pregnancy
In this case, guardians, spouses or curators will be consulted but cannot block the procedure.
22. SOME
COMPONENTS OF
THE TOP ACTS:
COUNSELLING
Counselling should be
offered to everyone
before and after a
procedure
However, this it is not
mandatory.
No female may be
forced to undergo
counselling before a
termination.
The law also says that
this counselling can’t be
“directive”,
meaning no one should
tell a person whether
they should or shouldn’t
undergo an abortion.
23. SOME
COMPONENTS OF
THE TOP ACTS:
COUNSELLING
Ideally, the woman should be told about different
abortion methods so she can choose the one that is
most suitable for her.
People should also be informed about what to
expect during and after the abortion, including how
to recognise signs, such as excessive bleeding, that
may mean they need follow-up care.
The health worker giving the counselling should also
let women know where they can get help if they
think there has been a complication, e.g. after hours
Counselling can also include contraceptive
information.
24. SOME COMPONENTS OF THE TOP ACTS:
ULTRASOUND SCANS
Ultrasound scans may be performed at public and private hospitals as well as private
clinics to determine how far along a pregnancy is.
Available guidelines recommend that ultrasounds be used to determine how far
along a pregnancy is.
These types of diagnostics are often not available at public clinics or community
healthcare centres offering abortions.
At such facilities, health workers may calculate how far along someone is based on
their last menstrual period
Ultrasound scans are helpful. However, they are not required – not everyone in
South Africa who gets an abortion will undergo an ultrasound.
27. TOP: THE PROCESS
MEDICAL ABORTION
Health workers may perform medical abortions up until nine weeks of pregnancy.
This involves the use of medication, namely Mifepristone and/or Misoprostol, to end a pregnancy.
MIFEPRISTONE: Mifepristone is also sold under the name Mifeprex – blocks the hormone
progesterone
MISOPROSTOL: Misoprostol is also sold under the brand name Cytotec – causes the uterus to
contract and expel the embryo/foetus
There are usually used together to achieve a medical TOP
28. TOP: THE PROCESS
MEDICAL ABORTION
Health facilities may offer a different abortion services depending on their protocol.
But Generally:
Mifepristone is given orally at the clinic or hospital, while Misoprostol is the TTO which they will
take between 24 and 48 hours later.
Patients will experience abdominal cramps and vaginal bleeding
Side effects also include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea,
Patients are advised to take analgesia such as NSAID (e, ibuprofen but not aspirin) immediately
after Misoprostol/Cytotec
31. TOP: THE PROCESS
SURGICAL ABORTION
This is done after 9 weeks to minimize the risk of retained products/ incomplete abortion.
In South Africa these types of terminations often use the same drugs, Mifepristone and
Misoprostol, used in medical abortions. But they also include an additional procedure – such as
manual vacuum aspiration
Mifepristone is given, then 24 and 48 hours later, the woman returns to the facility for the
procedure.
At the facility, they receive Misoprostol, and after about 4 hours, the MVA is done.
Surgical abortions also involve prescription of analgesia and antibiotics following the procedure
