Which Approach to First-Trimester Abortion Has Fewer Adverse Outcomes?

Both mifepristone–misoprostol medical abortion and procedural abortion are associated with low rates of serious adverse outcomes.

For women who are pregnant and desire abortion at a gestational age (by last menstrual period dating) ≤11 weeks and 0 days, the two options for induced abortion (IA) are medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol (mife–miso), or procedural abortion, performed with uterine aspiration. In this observational study from Ontario, Canada, researchers assessed risks for adverse outcomes following IA (up to 14 weeks' gestation) among 40,000 patients who underwent mife–miso IA and 65,000 patients who underwent procedural IA. Propensity scores were used to adjust for differing baseline patient characteristics.

Within 42 days after IA, the following outcomes were noted:

Serious adverse events (i.e., severe maternal morbidity, end-organ damage, i…

Reviewing Author

Robert L. Barbieri, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Robert L. Barbieri, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Which Approach to First-Trimester Abortion Has Fewer Adverse Outcomes?

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Reviewing Author