Article Text
Abstract
Induced abortion (IA) is believed to increase the risk of spontaneous preterm labour. Few studies have investigated the impact of method used (medical versus surgical) or the gestational age at IA. In a population based retrospective cohort study using data from the Aberdeen Maternity Neonatal Databank, the outcome of a subsequent viable pregnancy in 3186 women who underwent IA in their first pregnancy was compared with 42446 primigravid women. The exposed cohort was stratified according to method and gestational age at IA. Perinatal outcomes following medical IA was compared to those following surgical IA, as well as those in primigravid women. Similarly, women who underwent IA at <13 weeks were compared to women with history of IA at > = 13 weeks and primigravid women. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression adjusted for maternal age at delivery, smoking and socioeconomic status were used to analyse the data. No statistically significant association was found between previous IA and spontaneous preterm labour (aOR 1.05 (0.88–1.27)). Neither the method of termination (aOR 0.95 (0.72 to 1.25)) nor gestational age (aOR 1.00 (0.99 to 1.00)) at IA appeared to affect the risk of spontaneous preterm delivery. IA increased the risk of antepartum haemorrhage (p < 0.001; aOR 1.22 (1.09 to 1.36) in the next pregnancy. Previous IA appeared to protect against pregnancy induced hypertension (aOR 0.67 (0.60–0.74)). Method and gestational age at IA largely did not affect future obstetric and perinatal outcomes. Evidence remains conflicting on pregnancy outcomes following termination of pregnancy.