LATE VAGINAL INDUCED-ABORTION AFTER A PREVIOUS CESAREAN BIRTH - POTENTIAL FOR UTERINE RUPTURE

This descriptive study was conducted to evaluate the risk of uterine r upture in cases of late vaginal induced abortions among women with pre vious cesarean sections. 23 women were referred at a mean gestational age of 23.9 (SD 6.9) weeks of gestation after one or two cesarean sect ions. Indications for terminating the pregnancy were maternal diseases in 4 cases and fetal anomalies in 19 cases. RU 486 and/or prostagland ins were used for cervical ripening and to induce labor. Vaginal birth was obtained in 20 cases (86.9%) with an average duration of 72 (SD 5 2) h. Cesarean section was performed in the remaining 3 women because no cervical dilation could be obtained. One uterine rupture occurred a nd was treated with conservation of the uterus. Late termination of pr egnancy in such cases can be achieved without cesarean section with a high success rate.