BACKGROUNDOutpatient medical abortion is an acceptable alternative to surgical pregnancy termination in appropriately selected pregnant women less than 49 days' menstrual age. Throughout history, many natural substances have been given for alleged abortifacient effect. In many of these; serious illness and even death have resulted. Currently, there are only 3 medications for early medical abortion that have been widely studied. These are used either alone or in combination and include The antiprogestin mifepristone. The antimetabolite methotrexate. The prostaglandin misoprostol. Objective-This study was carried out to see the maternal consequences and complications including maternal morbidity and mortality following indiscriminate self-intake of abortion pills reporting in a tertiary medical college hospital.
MATERIALS AND METHODSThis is a retrospective study carried out at KAPV Govt. Medical College, MGMGH Hospital at Trichy from January 2014 to December 2015. 100 women reported at tertiary institution were studied with respect to the age of the patient, parity, period of gestation, clinical presentation at admission, USG findings, complications and its management. An analysis is made regarding surgical procedures, need of blood transfusion and number of maternal deaths.
RESULTSIn my retrospective study at KAPV Govt. Medical College, MGMGH, Trichy, there were 67 patients (67%) presented with profuse bleeding PV, 10 patients (10%) with acute pain abdomen, 13 patients (13%) USG reports as retained products, 6 patients (6%) with infection. Shock was observed in 2 patients (2%) and 2 patients (2%) were observed with ruptured ectopic pregnancy. Incomplete abortion is the main complication seen in 76 patients (76.8%) while complete abortion was in 8 patients (8%), missed abortion was seen in 9 patients (9%) and live gestation in 4 patients (4%). 65 cases received more than one blood transfusion. Maternal death was found in one case in my study.
CONCLUSIONThis study reveals a requirement of immediate and stern action for regulation and total restriction of abortion pills available as over-the-counter without medical prescription. As accessibility to safe abortion service by qualified providers is utmost important to avoid the complications, easy availability in the public and private health facilities is to be insisted to the target people. This helps the service providers to take into account the factors like the woman's personal circumstances and situation and provide respectful, confidential and high quality services.