Bibliographic information
GuidelineAbortion care guideline
Year of Publication2022
Issuing InstitutionWHO
Recommendation
Maintained
Originally developed
For pain management for surgical abortion at < 14 weeks: Suggest that the option of combination pain management using conscious sedation plus paracervical block should be offered, where conscious sedation is available
Recommended in favor
Conditional
Notes and Remarks
Implementation considerations
- Sufficient supplies and stocks of pain medications should be ensured.
- Training of providers in abortion care should include pain management, in particular the technique for administration of paracervical block.
KEY HUMAN RIGHTS CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT TO PAIN MANAGEMENT
- States must ensure adequate access to essential medicines in an affordable and non-discriminatory manner.
- Denial of pain medication may violate a wide range of human rights, including the right to health and autonomy in decisionmaking.
- Denial of pain medication as punishment for abortion or because it is part of abortion care may violate the right to equality and nondiscrimination.
- Denial of pain medication may violate the right to be free from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.
Also Featured In
This recommendation also appears in the following guidelines:
Guideline
Abortion care guideline, 2nd ed
Year2024
InstitutionWorld Health Organization