Abortion is a legal medical procedure that has been provided to millions of American women. Since the Institute of Medicine first reviewed the health implications of national legalized abortion in 1975, there has been a plethora of related scientific research, including well-designed randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, and epidemiological studies examining abortion care. This research has focused on examining the relative safety of abortion methods and the appropriateness of methods for different clinical circumstances. With this growing body of research, earlier abortion methods have been refined, discontinued, and new approaches have been developed. The Safety and Quality of Abortion Care in the United States offers a comprehensive review of the current state of the science related to the provision of safe, high-quality abortion services in the United States. This report considers 8 research questions and presents conclusions, including gaps in research.

The Clinical practice handbook for safe abortion care is intended to facilitate the practical application of the clinical recommendations from the second edition of Safe abortion: technical and policy guidance for health systems (World Health Organization [WHO] 2012). While legal, regulatory, policy and service-delivery contexts may vary from country to country, the recommendations and best practices described in both of these documents aim to enable evidence-based decision-making with respect to safe abortion care.

At a UN General Assembly Special Session in 1999, governments recognised unsafe abortion as a major public health concern, and pledged their commitment to reduce the need for abortion through expanded and improved family planning services, as well as ensure abortion services should be safe and accessible. This technical and policy guidance provides a comprehensive overview of the many actions that can be taken in health systems to ensure that women have access to good quality abortion services as allowed by law.

The evaluation of reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) by the Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (DCP3) focuses on maternal conditions, childhood illness, and malnutrition. Specifically, the chapters address acute illness and undernutrition in children, principally under age 5. It also covers maternal mortality, morbidity, stillbirth, and influences to pregnancy and pre-pregnancy. Volume 3 focuses on developments since the publication of DCP2 and will also include the transition to older childhood, in particular, the overlap and commonality with the child development volume. The DCP3 evaluation of these conditions produced three key findings: 1. There is significant difficulty in measuring the burden of key conditions such as unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion, nonsexually transmitted infections, infertility, and violence against women. 2. Investments in the continuum of care can have significant returns for improved and equitable access, health, poverty, and health systems. 3. There is a large difference in how RMNCH conditions affect different income groups; investments in RMNCH can lessen the disparity in terms of both health and financial risk.

Sets out guidelines that can help reduce the high levels of maternal morbidity and mortality associated with abortion whether spontaneous or induced. Recommendations and advice are backed by extensive practical experience and rooted in the principle that emergency care for the complications of abortion should be available 24 hours a day in every health care system. In view of the need to prevent life-threatening complications the book also establishes standards of safe abortion practice for use in those countries where abortion is permitted by law. Prevention of abortion through education and family planning is likewise discussed. Addressed to health managers administrators and care providers the book follows a step-by-step approach to the provision of emergency and preventive care. The first three chapters describe the magnitude of mortality and morbidity caused by unsafe abortions define the essential components of abortion care at each level in the health system and discuss the ways in which legal and societal factors affect abortion behaviour and care. Against this background the remaining eleven chapters provide technical and managerial guidelines for each component of service at each level of the health system needed to ensure that all women have access to care 24 hours a day. A chapter on planning is followed by three chapters outlining the clinical elements of emergency abortion care. Of particular value is a chapter on patient information and counselling which emphasizes the importance of providing information in a supportive manner. Other chapters offer detailed guidance on the facilities equipment and drugs needed for abortion care on the training and supervision of staff and on ways to overcome several obstacles that make it difficult for women in remote rural areas to receive timely care.

Abortion and Sterilization: Medical and Social Aspects investigates the medical and social aspects of abortion and sterilization. Its aim is to legitimate abortion and sterilization for the sake of those who need and seek the service. The best techniques are presented in the proper medical perspective. The social and political history, epidemiology, and public health aspects of abortion and sterilization are also discussed. Comprised of 23 chapters, this book begins with a review of abortion legislation and practices in historical perspective amidst changing sociocultural contexts in diverse geographic areas. Liberalization trends are surveyed chronologically in terms of selected highlights demonstrating legislative progress and frustrations along with advances in abortion technology. A classified listing of abortion statutes and/or court decisions in 140 countries is given. Subsequent chapters deal with the epidemiology of induced abortion; abortions for teenagers; the link between abortion and mental health; and hysterotomy and hysterectomy as abortion techniques. Vasectomy as a family planning option is also examined. This monograph is intended for students, teachers, clinicians, research workers, administrative and nursing personnel, and those with interest in reproductive control.

The main aim of this practical Handbookis to strengthen counselling and communication skills of skilled attendants (SAs) and other health providers, helping them to effectively discuss with women, families and communities the key issues surrounding pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, postnatal and post-abortion care. Counselling for Maternal and Newborn Health Careis divided into three main sections. Part 1 is an introduction which describes the aims and objectives and the general layout of the Handbook. Part 2 describes the counselling process and outlines the six key steps to effective counselling. It explores the counselling context and factors that influence this context including the socio-economic, gender, and cultural environment. A series of guiding principles is introduced and specific counselling skills are outlined. Part 3 focuses on different maternal and newborn health topics, including general care in the home during pregnancy; birth and emergency planning; danger signs in pregnancy; post-abortion care; support during labor; postnatal care of the mother and newborn; family planning counselling; breastfeeding; women with HIV/AIDS; death and bereavement; women and violence; linking with the community. Each Session contains specific aims and objectives, clearly outlining the skills that will be developed and corresponding learning outcomes. Practical activities have been designed to encourage reflection, provoke discussions, build skills and ensure the local relevance of information. There is a review at the end of each session to ensure the SAs have understood the key points before they progress to subsequent sessions.