Medical abortion at first trimester of pregnancy with misoprostol

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of medical abortion at first trimester of pregnancy with vaginal misoprostol.

METHODS: This is a descriptive analytic study. It was performed on 100 women at first trimester of pregnancy referred to teaching hospitals related to the Medical Sciences of Mashhad University, Mashhad, Iran for termination of pregnancy in 2006. Each patient received first dose of misoprostol (800 μg/vaginal), the second dose (800 μg/vaginal) was administered 24 hours after the first dose if expulsion of conceptus was not successful and curettage was performed if product of conception remained.

RESULTS: From 100 patients, 83 women (83%) had successful complete abortion, and 17 cases required curettage. Among them, pregnancy was terminated in 55 (62%) with first dose of misoprostol and 28 (34%) of them required second dose. No important side-effects were noted due to vaginal misoprostol treatment.

CONCLUSION: Termination of pregnancy by medical methods at first trimester of pregnancy with vaginal misoprostol is safe, cost effective, and without side-effects.