A fall in cervical resistance to dilatation for first-trimester-induced abortions has been observed in previous studies and considered a sign of tearing of the cervical tissue. In a study of 104 patients undergoing first-trimester abortion a fall in resistance was found in 12.5 % of women in whom the cervix was dilated to 9 mm, and in 66.7% when dilatation reached 11 mm. No difference between parous and nulliparous women was found.