Factors associated with participant and provider pain rating during office-based first-trimester vacuum aspiration

Pain Management in Abortion Care

“…Although there is some variation in the literature on factors associated with pain during procedural abortion, nulliparity, longer procedures, first abortion procedure, procedures after use of osmotic dilators, and fear of pelvic exams and post-procedure bleeding have all been associated with greater patient-reported pain 11,12 . Although longer procedures and greater gestation are also perceived as more painful procedures by providers, research has not shown a clear correlation between patient-reported pain and how providers perceive patient’s pain 11,13 …”

“…11,12 Although longer procedures and greater gestation are also perceived as more painful procedures by providers, research has not shown a clear correlation between patient-reported pain and how providers perceive patient's pain. 11,13 Options and Regimens for Pain Management During Abortion Options for pain management during abortion vary depending on type of abortion, weeks of gestation, patient medical comorbidities, patient preferences and expectations for pain control, provider preferences, and institutional capabilities and policies. 14 Pain management may be multimodal, incorporating medication regimens and practice factors to improve patients' experiences with pain.…”