Abstract: Background: Globally unsafe abortions contribute to 8-11% of maternal mortality (Lancet 2018).
Despite liberal abortion care services provided in India, many women tend to self-medicate with abortion pills for MTP. This in turn results in high rate of unsupervised abortions and life threatening complications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of self-medication with Mifepristone with or without Misoprostol for medical abortion.
Methods: This is a prospective study done on 51 women who presented in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital (RMMCH), Chidambaram from November 2018 to October 2020. For all the cases, presenting complaints, personal details, complete general and gynaecological examination findings, mode of treatment, duration of hospital stay and outcome are noted, analysed and tabulated.
Results: During our study period, out of the 576 cases of abortion presented at RMMCH, 51 patients (8.85%) had history of self-intake of MTP pills. About 8 patients (15.7%) presented with hypovolemic shock. Blood transfusion was required for 27 women (52.9%). Sepsis was found in 4 patients (7.8%). Admission for more than 10 days in the hospital was needed in 9 patients (17.5%). Surgical intervention was needed for 42 patients (82.3%). Intensive care was needed in 3 women (5.9%).
Conclusion: Unsupervised use of over the counter abortion pill usage leads to many life threatening complications. Thus women should be made aware that abortion services are liberalised and made easily available to them via health care services. They should be educated to avail those services rather than opting for illegal methods and prevent the occurrence of maternal morbidity and mortality.
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