ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Medical method of abortion (MMA) is a safe, efficient, and affordable method of abortion. However, incomplete abortion is a known side effect. OBJECTIVE: To study incomplete abortion due to medication abortion and compare to spontaneous incomplete abortion and to study referral practices and prescriptions in cases of incomplete abortion following MMA. METHOD: Prospective observational study of 100 women with first trimester incomplete abortion, divided into two groups (spontaneous or following MMA), was administered a questionnaire which included information regarding onset of bleeding, treatment received, use of medications for abortion, its prescription, and administration. Comparison of two groups was done using Fisher exact test (SPSS 21.0 software). RESULTS: Thirty percent of incomplete abortions were seen following MMA; possible reasons being self-administration or prescription by unregistered practitioners, lack of examination, incorrect dosage and drugs, and lack of follow-up. Complications such as collapse, blood requirement, and fever were significantly higher in these patients compared to spontaneous abortion group. CONCLUSION: The side effects of incomplete abortions following MMA can be avoided by the following standard guidelines. Self medication, over- the-counter use, and prescription by unregistered doctors should be discouraged and reported, and need of follow-up should be emphasized.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Pregnancy is affected by maternal age from conception till delivery. Various studies have been conducted globally to study this effect; few in developing countries. Maternal age is increasing in developing countries as well, so we have conducted this study. METHOD: This was a prospective observational study consisting of 1,263 women booked at Jehangir hospital during a period of 2 years, fulfilling inclusion criteria and consenting for the study. They were divided into two groups; women aged 35 years and above and women less than 35 years of age. Pregnancy outcomes were studied in terms of antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum complications. Neonatal outcomes were studied in terms of birth weight and NICU admissions. Data was analyzed statistically using statistical package for social sciences version 17, by applying Chi square test and Fisher exact test. A p value below 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Women aged 35 years and above constituted 9.63 % of the total study population. Most were multigravidae. Rate of assisted conception was significantly higher among women aged 35 years and above; early pregnancy loss was also high in this group. Pre-eclampsia and abruption were significantly higher among them. Neonatal outcomes were comparable. CONCLUSION: Women with advanced maternal age are at higher risk of complications from conception till delivery and should be provided close supervision for better pregnancy outcome.
