Effect of vaginal misoprostol on second trimester termination of pregnancy

The main objective of the present study is to find out the safety and effectiveness of vaginal misoprostol (prostaglandin E1 analogue) for second trimester termination of pregnancy. METHODS This prospective study involving 50 women with 12 to 20 weeks of gestational age for termination of pregnancy. Women having mean age of 27.86 years and median gestational age of 16.38 weeks were included in this study. Each women received first dose of 600 micrograms of vaginal misoprostol followed by 200 micrograms of misoprostol vaginally every 4th hourly up to maximum of five doses given. During the study period, the cervical dilatation, softening and uterine contractions were monitored.RESULTS Successful abortion was seen in 40 (80) women, with induction to delivery interval of 12 hours without any significant side effects. Incomplete abortion noticed in 0.2. Mild side effect (Shivering) was observed in 4.0 of women when the dose exceeded 1600 micrograms.CONCLUSION Vaginal misoprostol is a very safe inexpensive drug. It is an effective drug in second trimester termination of pregnancy when 600 micrograms used as an initial dose. It shortens the induction abortion time interval. The incidence of incomplete abortion is very low.