Background Data of abortion incidence and trends are needed to monitor progress toward
improvement of maternal health and access to family planning. To date, estimates of safe
and unsafe abortion worldwide have only been made for 1995 and 2003. Methods We used
the standard WHO definition of unsafe abortions. Safe abortion estimates were based
largely on official statistics and nationally representative surveys. Unsafe abortion estimates
were based primarily on information from published studies, hospital records, and surveys of …

Venous thromboembolism is a leading cause of maternal death. The paper above published
by McLintock et al cites recommendations that are likely to become accepted by most of the
medical community. However, because little evidence exists that supports the effectiveness
of either deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism management during pregnancy,
recommendations cited in this expert consensus should be followed by studies to support
them. For example, the recommendation the panel reached for the administration of heparin …