Self-administration of vaginal misoprostol after mifepristone for termination of pregnancy: patient acceptability

This was a questionnaire survey involving women who self-administered vaginal misoprostol in the hospital setting following oral mifepristone for medical termination of pregnancy. The sample number was 89 with a median gestational age of 9 weeks; median dose of misoprostol used was 1600 mug and median induction abortion interval was 5.3 h. The success rate was 100% with the majority finding it easy to self-administer vaginal misoprostol and two-thirds did not mind doing this. Only one-third experienced adverse effects of the medication and 83% were satisfied with the procedure. Only one-third was willing to try it at home in future if necessary. Self-administration of vaginal misoprostol for termination of pregnancy in the hospital is safe and effective. Although women were comfortable in self administering the pessaries in the hospital, they do not appear to be keen to do it at home without any supervision. However, as this is the first study in the UK involving women expressing their views regarding this issue, added research in this area is required.