What follow-up care is recommended for patients after a termination of pregnancy?

After a termination of pregnancy, follow-up care includes explaining to women what aftercare and follow-up to expect and advising them on what to do if they experience any problems, including how to access help out of hours. It is important to inform women that experiencing a range of emotions after the abortion is common and to encourage them to seek support if needed, which may include support from family, friends, peer groups, or counselling services. Providers should offer emotional support and be able to refer women for counselling if requested. Women who have had a medical abortion up to 10 weeks' gestation with expulsion at home should be offered the choice of self-assessment, including remote assessment options such as telephone or text messaging, as an alternative to clinic follow-up. They should also be provided with a low-sensitivity or multi-level urine pregnancy test to exclude ongoing pregnancy. Additionally, women should receive information on signs and symptoms that require medical attention after the abortion and who to contact in such cases. Contraceptive options should be discussed and offered on the same day as the abortion, with providers ensuring availability and appropriate knowledge to provide all reversible contraceptive methods. For women who are rhesus D negative and have abortions after 10 weeks' gestation, anti-D prophylaxis should be offered. Finally, women should be given information about the management and disposal of pregnancy remains and, if relevant, clear referral pathways and ongoing support should be established for those having abortions due to fetal anomaly.