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Termination of Pregnancy in Ireland

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Termination of Pregnancy in Ireland


Termination of Pregnancy in Ireland: A retrospective review of the first four years of early pregnancy service at one tertiary maternity unit

What is this project about?

Termination of Pregnancy in Ireland: a retrospective review of the first three years of early pregnancy service at one tertiary maternity unit

The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, came into legislation on January 1st, 2019. Under Section 12 of this Act, pregnant women less than 12 weeks’ gestation can avail of termination of pregnancy (TOP) services without restriction nationally. In the first year of TOP service provision a published audit at one hospital-based maternity unit highlighted variations in service and areas for improvements. A follow-up study has yet to be conducted.

This research will expand on this review by assessing early (< 12 weeks’ gestation) TOP services across the first four years of service provision in the same maternity unit. Ultimately this will identify any improvements or deteriorations in current services which will allow for enhanced quality of care for women undergoing TOP in Ireland.

What is involved?

  • Retrospective medical chart review of patients that underwent early termination of pregnancy at Cork University Maternity Hospital from 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2022 inclusive.

Who is involved?

Project team

Name Affiliation Role
Dr Katie Togher University College Cork; Pregnancy Loss Research Group  Academic Intern
Dr Carolina Uribe Cork University Maternity Hospital; Pregnancy Loss Research Group Registrar
Dr Deirdre Hayes Ryan Cork University Maternity Hospital; Pregnancy Loss Research Group Lead
Dr Sara Leitao National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre, UCC; Pregnancy Loss Research Group Collaborator
Professor Keelin O'Donoghue Pregnancy Loss Research Group  Collaborator

Dissemination activities

Journal articles

  • O'Shaughnessy E, Leitao S, Russell N, O'Donoghue K. Termination of pregnancy services: A year in review in a tertiary maternity hospital. BMJ Sexual and Reproductive Health. 2021;47(3):231-232. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsrh-2021-201049.

Project status

Ongoing: 2022 to 2023

Further information

Please email Dr Deirdre Hayes Ryan: Deirdre.HayesRyan@hse.ie

Funders

We wish to acknowledge funding received from the Health Service Executive National Doctors Training and Planning body (HSE NDTP) and University College Cork via the National Academic Track for Internship in Ireland.

Pregnancy Loss Research Group

Pregnancy Loss Research Group, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University College Cork, Fifth Floor, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Wilton, Cork, T12 YE02, Ireland,

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