The effect of induced abortion on subsequent pregnancy outcome

Abstract

Objective-To investigate the effect of induced abortion on the outcome of the next pregnancy. Design-Long-term prospective controlled cohort study. Setting-Joint Royal College of General Practitioners/Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists study based in gencral practice in England, Scotland and Walcs. Subjects-1311 women whose recruitment pregnancy had ended in induced abortion (the abortion group) and 2131 women whose recruitment pregnancy had a natural conclusion (the non-abortion group). Muitz outcome measures-Non-viablc outcome (spontaneous or missed miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or stillbirth), birthweight, length of gestation.Results-Induced abortion was not materially associated with any of the three measures of adverse outcome. Compared with the non-abortion group the relative risk of a non-viable outcome in the abortion group was 1.01 (95' 26 CI 0.81 to 1.27). In the abortion group birthweight was an average 23 g lighter (95% CI -76 g to + 30 g) and length of gestation an average 0.9 days shorter (95% CI -2-2 days to + 0.4 days) than in the non-abortion group. Womcn who had their abortions in NHS premises had an increased risk of a non-viable outcome ( R R 2.55, 95% C1 1-31 to 4.94) and had babies with significantly lower mean birthweight (-119 g, 95% CI -233 g to +5 g) comparcd with those who obtained tlicir operations in the private sector. Women whose abortion had been carried out by a consultant had the lowest risk of non-viable outcornc. Although these differences remained after adjustmcnt for a number of important variables, it is possible that factors not measurcd in the present study, such as economic status and occupation, playcd a contributory role. Conclusion-Overall, induccd abortion was not associated with any important effect on the three measures of adverse outcome in the subsequent pregnancy. Despite the greater efficiency and availability ofRoyal College of General Practitioners, Manchester Research Unit, 8 Barlow Moor Road, ManChester M20 OTR P. I . FRANK

Fetal growth restriction and other risk factors for stillbirth in a New Zealand setting

“…Other studies that investigated this association did not find an increased risk. 33,34 Most studies that have investigated risk factors for stillbirth have not included data on history of previous induced abortion(s). [35][36][37] Further prospective studies are necessary to explore this association.…”

Outcome of self administered medical abortion pills by patients

“…3,4 Spreading of public awareness in media, conferences, seminars, ladies clubs and patients visiting us about selfconsumption of these drugs leading to their abuse and health hazards is the need to the day. 5 The sale of these drugs at pharmacies without prescription should be regulated and checked. [6][7][8][9] Many a times important aborted tissue for histopathology in hydatiform mole is lost due to bleeding at home and patients presenting later at Gynaic OPD, pregnancies, continuing to persist even after pills leading to 2 nd trimester abortions with its added health hazard is also very common.…”

The influence of medical abortion compared with surgical abortion on subsequent pregnancy outcome

“…Studies have concluded that SA in the first trimester does not increase the risk of adverse outcome in subsequent pregnancies [3,4], but many women desiring to terminate a pregnancy prefer the MA approach because it is convenient, inexpensive, and noninvasive [5]. Medical abortion is easily performed without invading a woman's privacy and may actually cause fewer injuries to the uterus and cervix than SA [6], and its shortterm adverse effects are generally minor [7].…”