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What Are The Effects Of Misoprostol On The Fetus?

Posted on Thu, 3 Nov 2016

Question: I was told I had a blighted ovem at 5 weeks. They gave me misoprostol and I inserted 4 pills vaginally. I was bleeding for 2 weeks and a big glob fell into the toilet the day after I inserted the pills.. a week later I had a sonogram and they said my uterus was empty but my hcg was still going up.. I am now 7 1/2 weeks pregnant with a sac, baby, and a normal heart rate of 160.. will my baby have any birth defects I should worry about. Is this malpractice?

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Erraneous diagnosis

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Blighted ovum is a type of failed pregnancy in which the fetal node fails to develop . It is usually diagnosed at 6-7 weeks of gestation.
Diagnosis of blighted ovum at 5 weeks is definitely erraneous.
Misoprostol is known to cause various defects in the fetus, including cranial nerve deficits and anomalies in the heart. However, the risk is not 100%.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
OBGYN

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (11 minutes later)

If I were your patient what would be your advice to continue with the pregnancy or do a full abortion?

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
not advisable

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,It is not advisable to continue the pregnancy in such a scenario.
However, if you plan to continue with pregnancy, then you should get a detailed anomaly scan at 16-18 weeks to rule out any major congenital anomaly, and take the further decisions accordingly.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (19 minutes later)

Thank you. Last question is there a difference in taking the medicine vaginally vs orally?

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No difference

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
No, there is no difference in taking misoprostol orally or vaginally.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D