Bibliographic information

GuidelineAbortion care guideline
Year of Publication2022
Issuing InstitutionWHO

Recommendation

Maintained

Prior to surgical abortion at any gestational age: Recommend cervical priming with medication by generalist medical practitioners and specialist medical practitioners

Recommended in favor

Strong

Notes and Remarks

Implementation consideration

  • Given that cervical priming initiates the process and is done prior to a surgical procedure, with an interval of up to 1–2 days, it is important that the health worker ensures the continuity of care for the woman by ensuring that there is a clear plan for the surgical abortion prior to the woman taking the priming agent and she has access to the existing health system should she desire or need additional support during that interval.

KEY HUMAN RIGHTS CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT TO CERVICAL PRIMING

  • Denial of cervical priming as punishment for abortion or because it is part of abortion care may violate the right to non-discrimination and equality.

Also Featured In

This recommendation also appears in the following guidelines:

Originally Developed
Guideline

Health worker roles in providing safe abortion care and post-abortion contraception

Year2015
InstitutionWorld Health Organization