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The word abortion derives from the Latin aboriri, meaning to miscarry. Abortion is
defined as the spontaneous or induced termination of pregnancy before fetal
viability.
Abortion Terms
1. Spontaneous Abortion This category includes threatened, inevitable,
incomplete, complete, and missed abortion
2. Septic Abortion Spontaneous abortion further complicated by infection
3. Recurrent Abortion Women with repetitive spontaneous abortion so that an
underlying factor can be treated to achieve a viable newborn.
4. Induced Abortion Surgical or medical termination of a live fetus that has
not reached viability
Procedures
FIRST TRIMESTER
1. Surgical
Dilatation and curettage
Vacuum aspiration
Menstrual aspiration
2. Medical
Prostaglandins E2
, F2, E1, andanalogues
Vaginal insertion
Parenteral injection
Oral ingestion
Sublingual
AntiprogesteronesRU-486 (mifepristone) and epostane
Methotrexateintramuscular and oral
Various combinations of the above
1. Surgical Abortion
Surgical pregnancy termination includes a transvaginal approach through an
appropriately dilated cervix or, rarely, laparotomy with either hysterotomy or
hysterectomy.
5. Menstrual Aspiration
This is done within 1 to 3 weeks after a missed menstrual period and with a positive
serum or urine pregnancy test result.
Medical Abortion
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2011c),
outpatient medical abortion is an acceptable alternative to surgical pregnancy
termination in appropriately selected pregnant women less than 49 days menstrual
age
Antiprogestin Mifepristone
Antimetabolite Methotrexate
Prostaglandin Misoprostol
Mifepristone and methotrexate increase uterine contractility by reversing
progesterone induced inhibition, whereas misoprostol directly stimulates the
myometrium.
SECOND TRIMESTER