Efficacy of Vaginal Misoprostol in Second-trimester Abortion

Introduction: Abortion is one of the most fundamental health care needs of a woman! Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by any means before the fetus is viable. Aim: To provide a review on mid-trimester abortion with vaginal misoprostol which is effective, safe, and acceptable with minimal side effects lasting for a transient period. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. A total of 100 patients were selected from Outpatient Department and labor room having a gestational age of 13-20 weeks. Irrespective of age, marital status and parity these patients seeking for abortion were induced with vaginal misoprostol for labor induction. The results were analyzed. Results: Maximum number of patients 44% were in the age of 26-30 years. About 80% of women belonged to urban community, and the majority of women 88% were literate while only 12% were illiterate. About 64% belonged to lower and middle socioeconomic class while only 2% belonged to rich/ high socio-economic class. Exactly 81% patients had 3 or more children, 5% were primigravidae, and 14% had 1 or 2 children. Contraceptive failure temporary and permanent accounted for 9% of women wanting abortion. Women having gestational age of 17-20 weeks, 100% aborted within 24 h and 76% aborted within 24 h in women having gestational age of 13-16 weeks. About 88% of cases with gestational age of 13-20 weeks had complete abortion within 24 h and did not require surgical evacuation. Exactly 12% of patients with gestational age of 13-16 weeks required surgical evacuation for placental bits and membrane. This observation was found statistically significant. Conclusion: Misoprostol is highly effective drug for second-trimester abortion. It is inexpensive, safe, stable at room temperature, easily available, easy to use with minimum side effects.