THE USE OF LOW-DOSE MIFEPRISTONE AND VAGINAL MISOPROSTOL FOR FIRST TRIMESTER TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY

Objective: To assess the efficacy of a combination of an antiprogester one and a stable prostaglandin analogue for first trimester terminatio n of pregnancy in 100 women requesting termination of pregnancy up to nine weeks gestation. Results: There were no ongoing pregnancies. Nine ty one per cent of women had complete abortions. One woman required im mediate uterine evacuation for incomplete abortion; the other eight pr esented following discharge from hospital. Five of these were successf ully treated with repeat misoprostol-the others chose to undergo surgi cal evacuation. Ninety seven per cent were treated as day cases and on ly 26 per cent required narcotic analgesia. Conclusions: A combination of mifepristone 200 mg and vaginal misoprostol is an effective method for first trimester termination of pregnancy.