Medical Abortion Complications: An Epidemiologic Study at a Mid-Missouri Clinic

: A study of 420 cases of vacuum aspiration abortions in a central Missouri family planning clinic found 33 postabortal complications, 14 of which occurred over 10 weeks; 12 under 7. Most patients were white nulliparous females under 30. 41.5% of complications were incomplete abortions, only one of which occurred between 7 1/2-9 1/2 weeks, 4 times more at less than 7 weeks, 11 times more for women over 10 weeks. 25% were cervical lacerations, which occurred less frequently at advanced stages of gestation, 21.2% were postabortal hemorrhage, occurring most frequently over 10 weeks. The optimum time for less risk of postabortal complications is 7 1/2-9 1/2 weeks gestation. 18% complications, 7% incomplete abortions occurred at 7 1/2-9 1/2 weeks. During early pregnancy the progesterone block influences uterine motility and may be a survival mechanism for the fetus. The corpus luteum of pregnancy secretes large amounts of progesterone for the first 60 days and lesser quantities for the next 30 days.