First trimester medical termination of pregnancy: The Nottingham experience.
This is a retrospective study of 614 women undergoing first trimester medical termination of pregnancy (TOP) from 1 January to 31 December 2006, at Nottingham Contraception and Sexual Health service. All women were in the gestational age of 6-9 weeks. The results showed that three women had blood loss of more than 500 ml and had to be transfused. All patients requiring blood transfusion were over 8 weeks' gestation. A total of 84 (13.8%) patients returned as planned to the unit for follow-up scan because of uncertainty over completeness of abortion. All patients (1.13%) who needed surgical intervention were more than 8 weeks' gestation. A total of 27 patients (4.3%) required admission overnight, the main indication being lack of support at home. Early medical TOP was successful in over 98% of women and allowed them to avoid the risks of surgical instrumentation and anaesthesia. Early medical abortion is a safe and effective procedure and deserves to be more widely available and utilised.
Victoria Health Centre, Nottingham, UK. Manisha@tesco.net
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Singh
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Porter
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Griffiths
D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000032:Abortion, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom; D014619:Vacuum Curettage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*
D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal; D015735:Mifepristone