Multi-Level Pregnancy Test Use for Medical Abortion Follow-up after 63 Days’ Gestation: Evidence from Prenatal hCG Data

We explored hCG patterns using multi-level urine pregnancy tests (MLPTs) among prenatal clients to evaluate the potential use of these tests for medical abortion follow-up after 63 days’ gestation. Prenatal clients with gestations 9-12 weeks were asked to administer an MLPT weekly for three weeks. We evaluated change in hCG range over one- and two-week intervals. Over one-week intervals, 26.5 – 43.1% of participants had a drop in hCG range. The proportion with a decline after two-weeks was 42.0 – 48.3%. We therefore conclude that this follow-up strategy would not work in gestations beyond 63 days.

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