Medical termination of pregnancy at 9-12 weeks of gestation

Abstract

Current RCOG guidelines advise that surgical termination should be offered to those within the 9-12 weeks gestation band. While auditing the quality of services offered for termination of pregnancy in our unit, it became apparent that many women presenting at this gestation were requesting a medical method. There has been little clinical research into medical method of abortion at this gestation. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of medical methods of termination at 9-12 weeks gestation. A retrospective analysis of 25 cases who underwent medical termination using a regime of mifepristone followed 48 hours later by a course of vaginal gemeprost was undertaken. Complete abortion was achieved in 96% of cases; 92% of women required no more than two pessaries to achieve complete abortion. All but one patient was suitable for discharge on the same day. One woman underwent surgical evacuation in view of heavy bleeding. We conclude that medical TOP is a safe alternative to surgical method at 9-12 weeks' gestation.