Induced abortion operations and their early sequelae. Joint study of the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

In a group of 6105 women undergoing induced abortion, morbidity related to the operation occurred in 10 per cent of women, but in only two per cent was this considered to be major. The main factors which independently affected morbidity were the place of operation, gestation at termination, method of operation, sterilization at the time of abortion, and smoking habits. Morbidity rates were higher in association with operations carried out under the National Health Service than in private practice. Possible means of reducing early morbidity are discussed.