THE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Full-spectrum sexual and reproductive health care is not always part of the midwifery school curriculum. Training for abortion and early miscarriage management is frequently limited or omitted entirely from formal training programs, even though it is a critical part of the midwifery scope of practice. Training midwives in abortion care and miscarriage management has been recognized by stakeholders as a way to expand access for those needing services. This simulation workshop is designed to teach the basic procedural skills to learners new to uterine aspiration, including using a tenaculum, performing a paracervical block, maintaining sterile techniques, dilating the cervix, and performing a uterine aspiration for early pregnancy loss or abortion.

THE PROCESS/ACTIVITIES:
This workshop addresses the training gap by offering hands-on simulation of manual uterine aspiration (MUA) using papaya fruit as a low-cost uterine model. Up to 30 participants, working in pairs, will practice essential procedural skills such as using a tenaculum, administering a paracervical block, maintaining sterile technique, dilating the cervix, and performing uterine aspiration with a manual vacuum aspirator. The session also incorporates facilitated discussions on options counseling and values clarification to support patient-centered care. The training is designed to enhance participants' skills in providing early pregnancy loss and abortion care. This accessible, evidence-informed simulation is based on the widely implemented University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Papaya Workshop. It offers an approach for integrating training on full-spectrum reproductive care into midwifery educational programs that is low-cost and easy to replicate. It builds upon foundational skills, allowing midwives to provide comprehensive abortion and miscarriage management services.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:
The workshop is open to midwives, midwifery students, and other reproductive health providers. Additional reading Training in Early Abortion for Comprehensive Healthcare (TEACH). Abortion Training Curriculum. Accessed May 31, 2026. https://teachtraining.org/abortioncurriculum#curroptions