Same-day and delayed reports of pain intensity in second-trimester medical termination of pregnancy: a brief report.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To assess same-day and delayed reports of pain intensity during and after second-trimester medical termination of pregnancy (MTOP).

STUDY DESIGN:

A prospective randomized trial (217 women) comparing 1- and 2-day mifepristone-misoprostol intervals.

RESULTS:

Women reported intense pain [median visual analogue scale (interquartile range)] related to expulsion of the fetus [6 (0-10)]. Delayed reports of maximal pain described the pain as more intense than same-day reports [8 (3-10) vs. 7 (1-10), p<.001].

CONCLUSIONS:

Most women reported and readily remembered intense pain associated with fetal expulsion during second-trimester MTOP.

IMPLICATIONS:

Adequate, properly timed pain management during second-trimester MTOP is crucial.

• Authors: M Mentula, E Kalso, O Heikinheimo
• Journal: Contraception (Contraception) Vol. 90 Issue 6 Pg. 609-11 (Dec 2014) ISSN: 1879-0518 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25066876 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Misoprostol
• Mifepristone

Topics

• Abortion, Induced (adverse effects)
• Adult
• Female
• Humans
• Mifepristone (administration & dosage)
• Misoprostol (administration & dosage)
• Pain Measurement
• Pain, Postoperative (epidemiology)
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Trimester, Second
• Prospective Studies