Outcome of continued pregnancies after first- and second-trimester cervical dilatation by laminaria tents

In 21 pregnant women (seven in the first trimester and 14 in the second trimester), laminaria tents inserted for induction of elective abortion were removed after dilatation had been achieved, but upon the patient's request, the abortion was not carried out. Four patients again changed their minds and had uncomplicated induced abortion after reinsertion of the laminaria tents. Seventeen patients continued their pregnancies: Fourteen had term deliveries, two had premature deliveries, and one had a spontaneous abortion at 10 weeks' gestation, 2 weeks after laminaria removal. None of the patients suffered infectious morbidity, including three untreated patients with positive cervical cultures for chlamydia, who experienced normal pregnancies and deliveries.