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.