Publication:

Outcomes of early first trimester medical termination of pregnancy: retrospective study

Background Unsafe abortion is a major public health problem. Globally, 20 million unsafe abortions occur each year, accounting for 13% of all maternal deaths. According to WHO, 56% of abortions in developing countries are still unsafe even though medical abortion methods have been used for over a decade. The main objective of the present study is to compare the efficacy, acceptability, side effects and factors affecting the outcome of early medical abortion with oral and vaginal misoprostol after oral mifepristone in inducing early medical abortion up to 8 weeks of gestation.

Methods A one-year retrospective, observational study was conducted. A total of 82 post-MTP patients were included in this study. Data retrieved from the hospital database was tabulated and analysed.

Results The majority of women who underwent the procedure fell into the age group of 26-30 years (32.9%), on observing the parity of the mothers a whopping 82.9% were multiparous. The finished family (41.5%) was the most common reason for MTP. The incidence of RPOC in the study group was 31.7%. About 26.8% of the patients did not come back for follow-up.

Conclusions The majority of women who underwent the procedure fell into the age group of 26-30 years (32.9%), on observing the parity of the mothers a whopping 82.9% were multiparous. The finished family (41.5%) was the most common reason for MTP. The incidence of RPOC in the study group was 31.7%. About 26.8% of the patients did not come back for follow-up.