Point of Care Tests in the Management of Very Early Medical Abortion

Point of Care Testing for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) to Improve Access to Very Early Medical Abortion and Simplify the Follow up Process

This study will investigate the use of a point of care test in patients who are having an abortion at a gestation of <6 weeks (known as a very early medical abortion). These patients have pregnancy hormone level checked at Day 0 and Day 7 to see if treatment has worked. The investigators plan to use a point of care test machine to see if it is possible to check pregnancy hormone level earlier than Day 7.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Positive pregnancy test
• Less than six weeks gestation based upon Last Menstrual Period (LMP)
• No evidence of definite intrauterine pregnancy on ultrasound
• No signs or symptoms or significant risk factors for ectopic
• Wish to proceed to VEMA (Very Early Medical Abortion)
• Available for usual clinical follow up
• Willing to attend for serum Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) on two occasions Day 2-4 and Day 7 post mifepristone
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pain and/or bleeding
• Significant risk factors for ectopic (previous ectopic, sterilisation, tubal disease, intrauterine device in situ)
• Suspicious features for ectopic on ultrasound (adnexal mass, moderate free fluid)
• Unable to provide blood sample
• Lack of Capacity to consent