EFFECT OF VAGINAL Ph AND ACIDIFICATION OF VAGINAL MISOPROSTOL ON ITS EFFICACY FOR INDUCTION OF MID-TRIMESTERIC ABORTION

100 Pregnant women, in mid-trimester, with a medical indication for termination of pregnancy will be approached to participate in this study Methods:-

1. A formal consent from the women under study with full notification and explanation of the methods, importance of the study and possible unwanted effects.
2. During the pre-selection visit, exclusion and inclusion criteria will be applied. Baseline investigations; Blood sugar, Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (SGOT), Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT), S. Creatinine, and Complete Blood Count (C.B.C.) and Coagulation profile (PTT, serum fibrinogen level) will be done.
3. Following admission, all patients will undergo complete clinical examination and detailed medical history will be obtained. Each patient will have a Case Record Form (CRF) in which the following data will be recorded.

• Patient initials.
• Patient number (according to the randomization schedule).
• Age, height, weight,
• Known allergies.
• Past medical and surgical history (no longer present).
• Medications taken within the last 4 weeks and discontinued.
• Concomitant illnesses.
• Concomitant medications which will not be discontinued.
• Clinical examination: including full gynaecologic assessment including vaginal and speculum examination with recording of vaginal and cervical condition.

4. The vaginal Ph will be measured using Universal indicator paper pH (1-14) before digital vaginal examination. Through speculum examination, the indicator will be held with an artery forceps against the vaginal wall-high up in the vagina-until it becomes wet.

Color change of the strip will be immediately compared with the colorimetric scale and the measurement will be recorded.

Patients will be divided into 2 groups:-

• Group 1:-those with Ph<5. (n=50).
• Group 2:-those with Ph > or=5. (n=50).

5. Each group is subdivided into another two groups:-