Second-trimester Medical Abortion Research Articles

Mifepristone combined with ethacridine lactate for the second-trimester pregnancy termination in women with placenta previa and/or prior cesarean deliveries.

This study was aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the second-trimester medical abortions using mifepristone and ethacridine lactate in women with placenta previa and/or prior cesarean deliveries. The patients who underwent a second-trimester pregnancy termination from January 2009 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The eligible patients were assigned to four groups based on placentation and cesarean history. The abortion interval (AI), blood loss, hospital stays, incidence of curettage, and transfusion were reviewed. Two women underwent cesarean sections for placenta increta. Finally, 443 patients were enrolled in this study, including 92 with placenta previa, 153 with prior cesarean deliveries, 36 with the both factors, and 236 with normal placentation and no cesarean delivery history. All the included cases had a successful vaginal delivery. There was no significant difference in AI, hospital stay, rate of hemorrhage, and transfusion among the four groups. Patients with prior cesarean section had higher blood loss than the normal group (P=0.0017), as well as patients with both placenta previa and prior cesarean (P=0.0018). However, there was no obvious blood loss in patients with placenta previa when compared with normal placetal patients (P=0.23). No uterine rupture occurred in all patients. Mifepristone combined with ethacridine lactate is safe and effective for patients with low placentation or/and prior cesarean in the second-trimester pregnancy termination.

Clinical Outcomes and Women's Experiences before and after the Introduction of Mifepristone into Second-Trimester Medical Abortion Services in South Africa.

ObjectiveTo document clinical outcomes and women’s experiences following the introduction of mifepristone into South African public sector second-trimester medical abortion services, and compare with historic cohorts receiving misoprostol-only.MethodsRepeated cross-sectional observational studies documented service delivery and experiences of women undergoing second-trimester medical abortion in public sector hospitals in the Western Cape, South Africa. Women recruited to the study in 2008 (n = 84) and 2010 (n = 58) received misoprostol only. Those recruited in 2014 (n = 208) received mifepristone and misoprostol. Consenting women were interviewed during hospitalization by study fieldworkers with respect to socio-demographic information, reproductive history, and their experiences with the abortion. Clinical details were extracted from medical charts following discharge. Telephone follow-up interviews to record delayed complications were conducted 2–4 weeks after discharge for the 2014 cohort.ResultsThe 2014 cohort received 200 mg mifepristone, which was self-administered 24–48 hours prior to admission. For all cohorts, following hospital admission, initial misoprostol doses were generally administered vaginally: 800 mcg in the 2014 cohort and 600 mcg in the earlier cohorts. Women received subsequent doses of misoprostol 400 mcg orally every 3–4 hours until fetal expulsion. Thereafter, uterine evacuation of placental tissue was performed as needed. With one exception, all women in all cohorts expelled the fetus. Median time-to-fetal expulsion was reduced to 8.0 hours from 14.5 hours (p<0.001) in the mifepristone compared to the 2010 misoprostol-only cohort (time of fetal expulsion was not recorded in 2008). Uterine evacuation of placental tissue using curettage or vacuum aspiration was more often performed (76% vs. 58%, p<0.001) for those receiving mifepristone; major complication rates were unchanged. Hospitalization duration and extreme pain levels were reduced (p<0.001), but side effects of medication were similar or more common for the mifepristone cohort. Overall satisfaction remained unchanged (95% vs. 91%), while other acceptability measures were higher (p<0.001) for the mifepristone compared to the misoprostol-only cohorts.ConclusionThe introduction of a combined mifepristone-misoprostol regimen into public sector second-trimester medical abortion services in South Africa has been successful with shorter time-to-abortion events, less extreme pain and greater acceptability for women. High rates of uterine evacuation for placental tissue need to be addressed.

Mifepristone and misoprostol is safe and effective method in the second-trimester pregnancy termination.

The second-trimester medical abortions constitute 10-15% of all induced abortions worldwide, but are responsible for two-thirds of major abortion related complications. During the last decade, medical methods for the second-trimester-induced abortion have been become safer and more accessible. The aim of this study is to evaluate factors affecting clinical effectiveness of the second-trimester medical terminations using mifepristone and misoprostol combination. In this retrospective observational study, 142 consecutive women underwent medical abortion on 12-24weeks of gestation. Clinical data were collected from Oulu University Hospital patients' records for the period between January 2008 and June 2011. The associations between patient characteristics and different outcomes were evaluated using the standard statistical test for correlation. The majority (92%) of women aborted successfully within 24h and were considered as day cases with small complication rate, as compared to hospitalized patients. In nulliparous patients, the time for complete abortion was longer than in other groups (P<0.0019). Nulliparous women and women with gestation more than 16weeks required opiate analgesia more often (P=0.003 and <0.001, respectively). Women with previous live births aborted more often within 8h than women with no previous births. Mifepristone and misoprostol is safe and effective method for the second-trimester pregnancy termination. The second-trimester medical abortion can be provided by a nurse-midwife with the back-up of a gynecologist.

Laparoscopic Management of Uterine Rupture After Early Second-Trimester Medical Abortion in a Patient With a Prior Cesarean Section

Study ObjectiveTo show the possibility of laparoscopic management of uterine rupture. DesignVideo with explanations. SettingIn the medical management with misoprostol for termination of pregnancy at any time the risk of uterine rupture may be possible. The risk is likely higher in women with a previous uterus surgery. In a systematic review of available studies, the risk of rupture was .28% among women with a prior cesarean delivery who were undergoing second-trimester misoprostol-induced abortion, meaning if 414 women with a history of cesarean delivery were given misoprostol for second-trimester abortion, 1 would experience uterine rupture. Uterine rupture has only been reported 3 times in first-trimester abortion and only once managed via laparoscopy: a missed abortion reported in 2005, a case of a ruptured unscarred uterus in a women undergoing medical abortion, and a case of a delayed miscarriage at 8 weeks’ gestation after misoprostol managed by laparotomy and sharp curettage. InterventionsTotal laparoscopic management in a patient with uterine tear after misoprostol treatment. ConclusionEarly second-trimester medical abortions with misoprostol can cause uterine rupture. In hemodynamically stable cases, total laparoscopic management is possible approach.

Variation in Pregnancy Options Counseling and Referrals, And Reported Proximity to Abortion Services, Among Publicly Funded Family Planning Facilities.

As frontline providers, publicly funded family planning clinics represent a critical link in the health system for women seeking information about pregnancy options, yet scant information exists on their provision of relevant services. Understanding their practices is important for gauging how well these facilities serve patients' needs. A 2012 survey of 567 publicly funded family planning facilities in 16 states gathered information on referral-making for adoption and abortion services, and perceived proximity to abortion services. Chi-square, multivariable logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to assess differences among facilities in referral-making and reported proximity to abortion services. Abortion referrals were provided by a significantly smaller proportion of providers than were adoption referrals (84% vs. 97%). Health departments and community health centers were significantly less likely than comprehensive reproductive health centers to refer for abortion services and to have a list of abortion providers available (odds ratios, 0.1-0.2). Rural facilities were more likely than urban ones to report a distance of more than 100 miles to the closest first-trimester abortion provider (relative risk ratio, 11.4), second-trimester abortion provider (8.7) and medication abortion provider (8.0). Health departments were more likely than comprehensive reproductive health centers not to know the location of the closest first-trimester, second-trimester or medication abortion provider (2.5-3.5). A better understanding of disparities in provision of pregnancy options counseling and referrals at publicly funded family planning clinics is needed to ensure that women get timely care.

Unsafe Second-Trimester Medical Abortion in Rural Practice: Declining Child Sex Ratio could it be Allarming Outcome?

Unsafe Second-Trimester Medical Abortion in Rural Practice: Declining Child Sex Ratio could it be Allarming Outcome?

Management of postabortion hemorrhage: Release date November 2012 SFP Guideline #20131

Hemorrhage after abortion is rare, occurring in fewer than 1% of abortions, but associated morbidity may be significant. Hemorrhage can be caused by atony, coagulopathy and abnormal placentation, as well as by such procedure complications as perforation, cervical laceration and retained tissue. Evidence on which to make recommendations regarding risk factors and treatment for postabortion hemorrhage is extremely limited. Although medical abortion is associated with more bleeding than surgical abortion, overall bleeding for the two methods is minimal and not clinically different. Identifying patients who may be at increased risk of hemorrhage can help reduce blood loss with abortion. Specifically, women with a uterine scar and complete placenta previa seeking abortion at gestations greater than 16 weeks should be evaluated for placenta accreta. For women at high risk of hemorrhage, referral to a high-acuity center should be considered. We propose an algorithm for treating postabortion hemorrhage as follows: (1) assessment and exam, (2) massage and medical therapy, (3) resuscitative measures with laboratory evaluation and possible re-aspiration or balloon tamponade, and (4) interventions such as embolization and surgery. The Society of Family Planning recommends preoperative identification of women at high risk of hemorrhage as well as development of an organized approach to treatment. Further studies are needed on prophylactic use of uterotonic medication, intraoperative ultrasound and optimal delivery of the placenta after second-trimester medical abortion.

Effects of parity and gestational age on second-trimester induction–abortion interval in combination with osmotic dilators and gemeprost

BackgroundThe true prognostic factors for induced medical abortion are unknown. We sought to investigate the effects of a patient's obstetric parameters on the induction–abortion interval in second-trimester medical abortion. Study DesignWe studied 216 consecutive women. Pregnancy was terminated with cervical preparation using osmotic dilators followed by 1 mg vaginal gemeprost administered every 3 h for a maximum of five doses in the first 24 h. All variables are expressed in categorical form (parity, gestational age, maternal age and body mass index) and analyzed by the Cox proportional hazards model. ResultsParity ≥3 was associated with a shorter duration of the induction–abortion interval (adjusted hazards ratio 1.96; 95% confidence interval 1.13–3.40). A gestational age ≥16 weeks was associated with a longer duration of the induction–abortion interval (0.71; 0.52–0.98). No significant association was found in maternal age and body mass index. ConclusionsIn combination with osmotic dilators and gemeprost, gestational age and parity are independent factors that affected the induction to abortion interval of second-trimester medical abortion.

Mifepristone and Misoprostol Compared With Misoprostol Alone for Second-Trimester Abortion

To estimate the clinical benefit of pretreatment with mifepristone followed by misoprostol compared with misoprostol alone for second-trimester abortion. Two hundred sixty women with live fetuses of gestational ages 14-21 weeks were enrolled in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial in Vietnam. Eligible consenting women received either mifepristone or placebo to take on their own at home and were scheduled to return to the hospital the next day. At the hospital, women were given 400 micrograms buccal misoprostol every 3 hours, up to five doses, until both the fetus and placenta were expelled. Efficacy was evaluated 15 hours after misoprostol dosing began and the procedure was considered complete if uterine evacuation was achieved without recourse to surgical evacuation. Pretreatment with mifepristone resulted in more than twice the chance of complete uterine evacuation in 15 hours (79.8% compared with 36.9%, relative risk 2.16, 95% confidence interval 1.70-2.75). The mean induction-to-abortion interval for complete uterine evacuations was statistically significantly shorter among participants pretreated with mifepristone compared with those given misoprostol alone (8.1, standard deviation 2.8, range 2.5-14.8; and 10.6, standard deviation 2.5, range 6.5-15.5 hours, respectively; P<.001). The side-effect profiles for the two regimens did not differ significantly and acceptability of the treatments was high. Mifepristone-misoprostol is more efficacious and faster than misoprostol alone. Services offering home administration of mifepristone as pretreatment could optimize efficacy and acceptability of medical abortions for women with gestations 14-21 weeks since the last menstrual period. ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00784186. I.

A prospective double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial on the use of letrozole pretreatment with misoprostol for second-trimester medical abortion

Background The aim of this randomized trial was to evaluate the abortion rate of combined regimen of letrozole and misoprostol in second-trimester abortion. Study Design This was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of 130 women requesting legal termination of pregnancy at gestational age between 12 and 20 weeks. Letrozole 7.5 mg or placebo were given for 3 days, followed by misoprostol 400 mcg vaginally every 3 h up to a maximum of five doses on the third day. Results The abortion rate in 24 and 48 h were similar for the letrozole and placebo groups (24 h: 93.8% vs. 90.8%, respectively, p=.718; 48 h: 98.5% vs. 95.4%, respectively, p=.496). The median induction-to-abortion interval was also similar for the letrozole and placebo groups (9.6 h vs. 10.6 h, p=.145). All the side effects were comparable between the two groups. Conclusion The use of letrozole pretreatment (7.5 mg daily for 3 days) with misoprostol in second-trimester abortion does not significantly improve the abortion rate of the misoprostol-only regimen.

Vaginal versus sublingual misoprostol for second-trimester pregnancy termination and effect on Doppler measurements

Objective To compare the efficacy of vaginal versus sublingual misoprostol for second-trimester pregnancy termination, and to evaluate the effect on the blood flow of the uterine and umbilical arteries. Methods Forty-nine patients were randomized to receive either 200 μg of vaginal misoprostol every 6 hours or 200 μg of misoprostol sublingually every 6 hours. Doppler velocimetry studies were assessed immediately before and 60 minutes after the administration of the first dose. Standard descriptive calculations, Mann–Whitney U, Wilcoxon, and χ 2 tests were performed. Results The mean interval between induction and onset of active labor, induction and delivery, and the duration of oxytocin administration were significantly shorter in the sublingual misoprostol group. Both routes of administration increased the Doppler indices for the uterine arteries; however, misoprostol via the sublingual route did not affect the umbilical arteries. Conclusion Sublingual administration of misoprostol for second-trimester medical abortion results in a higher success rate and does not affect umbilical blood flow.

Provision of abortion by mid-level providers: international policy, practice and perspectives.

Based on articles found on the PubMed and Popline databases on the provision of first-trimester abortion by mid-level providers, this article describes policies on type of abortion provider, comparative studies of different types of abortion provider, provider perspectives, and programmatic experience in Bangladesh, Cambodia, France, Mozambique, South Africa, Sweden, the United States of America and Viet Nam. It shows that it is safe and beneficial for suitably trained mid-level health-care providers, including nurses, midwives and other non-physician clinicians, to provide first-trimester vacuum aspiration and medical abortions. Moreover, it finds that projects in Kenya, Myanmar and Uganda have successfully trained nurse-midwives to provide post-abortion care for incomplete abortion with manual vacuum aspiration, and that studies in Ethiopia and India have recommended that providers such as auxiliary nurse-midwives should be trained in abortion service delivery to ensure that they provide safe abortions for low-income women. The paper recommends the authorization of all qualified mid-level health-care providers to carry out first-trimester abortions, and it also recommends the integration of training in providing first-trimester abortion care into basic education and clinical training for all mid-level providers and medical students interested in obstetrics and gynaecology. Finally, it calls for documentation of the role of mid-level providers in managing second-trimester medical abortions to further inform policy and practice.

Mifepristone in Second-Trimester Medical Abortion: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Mifepristone in Second-Trimester Medical Abortion: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Mifepristone in Second-Trimester Medical Abortion

To investigate the adjunctive use of mifepristone in second-trimester induction abortions using misoprostol 1 day after feticidal digoxin. This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of mifepristone in second-trimester induction termination using misoprostol after feticidal digoxin. Women seeking abortion between 18 and 23 weeks of gestation were offered enrollment. At the time of digoxin amnioinfusion, participants received a randomly allocated, identical-appearing capsule containing either mifepristone, 200 mg, or placebo. Patients returned the following day for induction with buccal misoprostol. The primary outcome was the time interval from the first misoprostol dose to abortion. Analysis utilized survival curves with log-rank testing. Of 64 women, 32 received mifepristone and 32 received placebo. The groups did not differ by ethnicity, age, parity, reason for termination, or gestational age. Median procedure time was significantly shorter for those who received mifepristone, 10 hours (95% confidence interval [CI] 8-12), than those who did not, 18 hours (95% CI 15-22), P<.01, and those parous, 10 hours (95% CI 9-14), compared with nulliparous, 16 hours (95% CI 12-22, P=.02). Other findings in the mifepristone compared with placebo group included rates of placental retention, 3.1% compared with 6.3% (P=.61), length of hospitalization, 0.66 days compared with 0.8 days (P=.23), and analgesic requirements, 27.2 mg compared with 39.3 mg morphine (P=.22). Side effects during induction were similar between groups. Addition of mifepristone in second-trimester termination inductions using misoprostol significantly reduces the abortion time interval. Clinicaltrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00382538 I.

Randomized study on the effect of adding oxytocin to ethacridine lactate or misoprostol for second‐trimester termination of pregnancy

To compare effectiveness of misoprostol and ethacridine lactate with or without oxytocin in second-trimester medical abortions. A randomized prospective study. A total of 388 women with genetic indications for termination of pregnancy at 13-24 weeks of gestation were recruited. Group I (n=85) were treated with extra-amniotic ethacridine lactate, 10 ml instilled per gestational week, to a maximum of 200 ml. Group II (n=93) were treated with misoprostol administered intravaginally (200 microg), followed by 100 microg of oral misoprostol 4 hourly for 24 h. Group III (n=102) were treated with a combination of ethacrine lactate and oxytocin. An initial dose of 6 mU/min oxytocin was given, followed by additional 6 mU/min doses every 20 min. Group IV (n=96) were treated with a combination of misoprostol and oxytocin administered in a similar way as in group III. The main outcome measures were time to induce abortion, side effects, and failure/success rates. The mean time to induce abortion was 14.2+/-3.6, 13.2+/-3.4, 10.8+/-2.6, and 9.9+/-2.4 h in groups I, II, III, and IV, respectively (p<0.001). Addition of oxytocin to ethacridine lactate did not decrease the risk of prolongation of induction beyond 24 h but use of oxytocin with misoprostol did reduce the risk of induction beyond 24 h (OR: 0.46, 95%CI: 0.21-1, p<0.05). The occurrence of minor side effects was similar in all groups. Addition of oxytocin to ethacridine lactate or misoprostol significantly decreases the length of time to induce abortion without supplementary side effects.