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Mifepristone..."The Abortion Pill": The Facts
Biology 103
2000 First Web
Report
On Serendip
Mifepristone..."The Abortion Pill": The Facts
Sujatha Sebastian
On September 28, 2000 the Food and Drug Administration after several years of research approved Mifepristone, better known as the "abortion pill", for distribution in the United States. The FDA's decision will have a definite impact on women's health care in the United States. There will be social and medical repercussions. The drug has caused controversy not only in antiabortion groups, but in Pro-Choice groups as well. Critics are worried that an abortion available in pill form will be "too easy". They are worried that use of the pill will be abused. What many people do not realize is that while Mifepristone will be beneficial to women's health care, it is not without side effects. In light of all the recent coverage that the "abortion pill" has been given in the media, and all the misinformation surrounding it, I decided researching that Mifepristone would be interesting and helpful. The purpose of my paper is to discover how Mifepristone works, how it is administered, and to look at its side effects. I want to demonstrate the benefit Mifepristone will be to women's health care, while showing that it is not an "easy" solution to abortion."Mifepristone, formerly known as RU-486, is a medical alternative to aspiration abortion."(1) It works by blocking progesterone from being absorbed into the uterus. When this happens the uterus sheds the endometrium (lining in the uterus, therefore inducing menstruation. (2 When Mifepristone is used as a method for abortion is it administered as part of a three step process. The first step is that 200 mg of Mifepristone is given orally in a doctor's office. Then within 24 to 48 hours the patient is given 400 mg a drug called Misoprostol either orally or in a suppository form. Misoprostol, which is a synthetic hormone, is used to get the cervix to soften and dilate as well as getting the uterus to relax. The embryo is then expelled.(2) This is supposed to happen approximately fours hours after the administration of the drug. The final step is an examination by a medical professional to make sure the abortion is complete. (2)
There are restrictions as to who can use this medical method of abortion. It is only intended for women to use up to nine weeks after their last menstruation period. Women who are under 18 or over 35, epileptic, diabetics, or suffering from heart, lung, kidney, liver, stomach or intestinal disorders are ineligible. As are women who have taken steroids within the past 12 months, or deemed overweight or a heavy smoker. Women who have used an IUD or hormonal contraceptive within three months prior to conception are not allowed to take Mifepristone as well.(2)
Like any drug or medical method there are side effects to using Mifepristone and Misoprostol. It is the number of side effects and degree of each that critics argue about. The FDA has determined that taking Mifepristone does cause various degrees of pain. Short term physical effects can be pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue.(2) There are psychological side effects as well. In some cases products of the conception are visualized. (3)
The use of Mifepristone will have a definite impact on reproductive freedom in this country and the world. (3) It is seen as less invasive procedure which gives the woman more freedom and privacy. In the United States it has been reported by the Alan Guttmacher Institute that eighty-nine percent of the abortions occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Mifepristone will allow women another option to terminate a pregnancy in its early stages. (2) Twenty-four percent of the world's population lives in places where abortion is not legal. (3) As a result a significant population of women perform their own abortions or receive illegal abortions which kills them. The medical method of abortion would allow women in these areas of the world to receive a safe method of abortion.
A major issue that critics of Mifepristone have is that they feel that the drug will allow abortions to become "too easy". But the drug is only administered in a medical office and requires at least three visits. The last visit is an examination to see that the abortion is complete and that the mother is in good health. Before the patient is given Mifeprex tablets (Mifepristone) she must sign an agreement in which she acknowledges that there are side effects, that there is a three step process, and that 5 to 8 women out of every hundred do not have successful medical abortions and need surgical abortions . (5) Critics worry that the drug will cause an increase in the number of women who have abortions. Supporters of the drug cite the fact that in France, where the drug is manufactured and was first administered, there has not been an increase in the abortion rate. (2)
Mifepristone will change the way that abortions are administered. This method gives a woman more autonomy and does not require her to go through surgical procedure. It can also prevent pregnancy by taken as soon as a day after she has had intercourse. This new method will allow more women to have access to safe abortions. Mifepristone opens the door to a new area of medicine in which previously surgical procedures are now approached in a medical manner. Whether in support of or against Mifepristone one has to recognize the new technology the drug represents.
One of the problems I had when researching information was finding unbiased information. Both pro and anti Mifepristone groups used "research" and statistics to their benefit. Distinguishing the difference between opinion and fact was difficult. This is especially true because there is not a lot of accurate information about Mifepristone published by reliable sources. This is due to the fact that Mifepristone has just recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Mifepristone that will be beneficial to women's health care and medicine. But one must realize that it is not without side effects and cannot be seen as an "easy" solution to abortion.
WWW Sources
1)www.plannedparenthood.org/mifepristone.html, Mifepristone2)www.rascalnut.com/naral.ohio/RU486.html, The Facts about Mifepristone (RU 486)
3)www.mja.com.au/public/issues/sep15/henshaw/henshaw.html, Mifepristone
4)http://jinx.sis.unsw.edu.au/~greenlft/1994/137/137p28htm, "Abortion Pill": A Woman's Right to Choose by, Kath Gelber
5)www.popcouncil.orgrhpdev/mifeprex/patient%5Fagreement.html,The Patient Agreement Mifeprex (Mifepristone) Tablets
6) www.pages.map.com/lroberge/ru486.htm, RU486: The Hidden Effects by Lawrence F. Roberge
6) www.nrlc.org/ru486/propsedFDAregs.html, RU486 *Please note that some of the sources read during my research were from biased sources (the National Right to Life Committee web site for example). Facts were not used from these sources in my paper. These sources were instead used to discover the arguments anti-Mifepristone groups had and to see the false information they were publishing about the drug.
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08/06/2005, from a Reader on the Web I took that pill and almost blead to death now i have have to say it's not as easy as it sounds it is very painful like child birth but more blooder atleast for me i now have endromitrious and may have to have my women parts removed i had nothing before i took those pills i'm 37 so i'm just saying better think it out before you take it because it's dangerious i have a son who is 18 it was easier for me to have him then go through childbirth than taking those pills becuse i'm still not well and it has been 7 months
For what it's worth, I though I'd share my personal experience using Mifepristone almost a month ago.. After having made the difficult choice to abort, I learned of this pill as an alternative option to having the traditional surgical procedure. Of course, as anyone would, I opted to try the pill because it seemed -less- painful and was something I could do in the privacy of my own home. After having been given the first pill, Mifepristone, at the doctors office on a Friday afternoon, I finished out my day at work with minimal side-effects at that point. The Mifepristone made me slightly sick to my stomach, but compared to the ongoing morning sickness I'd been going through, it wasn't so bad. (ha ha) Misoprostol was the next step, given to me in the form of 4 tablets, to be inserted vaginally myself at home. I was also given a full bottle of Vicodin, as well as a bottle of 800mg Ibuprophen for the pain the doctor anticipated I would encounter (this worried me a little). Late Satuday afternoon, I'd say around 4:30pm, scared to death not knowing what to expect once everything started, and knowing I couldn't turn back now, I inserted the tablets and took 1 Vicodin as directed. About 30 minutes from the time I did this I began to have cramping comparable to what you would feel during a typical menstrual period.. but not for long. Within an hour I had severe cramping.. I'd been warned the pain could equal that of actual child-birth contractions, and this must have been it. (I've never had a child, so I can only imagine) I was to the point of feeling like I would pass out if the pain didn't let up when I passed the first, and largest, portion of what -was- the pregnancy.. Many people will tell you that all you'll see is blood and clots, and it's unlikely anything will look like actual tissue.. but mine sure did.. Large masses of gray tissue were expelled for the following numerous hours. Somewhere close to midnight that night I felt relief enough to know it was over.. or so I thought. 4 days after this, while I -should- have been feeling more or less back to normal, I began to experience increasing pain in my abdomen. I called and spoke with my doctor about this, but felt as though she didn't seem concerned at all. No more than 2 hours after hanging up the phone I developed a fever that shot through the roof out of nowhere, and my heart began beating unbelieveably TOO fast. The "increasing pain" in my abdomen now had me laying in bed, hardly able to move. I called my mother who left work and rushed to my home to get me. I couldn't even get out of bed to let her in when she arrived I hurt so bad. I ended up in the emergency room that afternoon with a heartbeat of 143 beats/min.. (Check your own and then you'll see just how high 143 is) and a 103 temperature I ended up fighting to keep away for the next 4 days. To make a long story short, that first afternoon I spent over 8 hours in a treatment room in the emergency area before they got my vitals under control and discovered the cause of everything.. The abortion pill I used began attacking my own body in a sense, and began a horrendous infection in my uterus. In the end I spent a week in the hospital on 3 of the most potent anti-biotics available, as well as some heavy-duty narcotic pain killers, while specialists from the surrounding hospitals kept watch over me constantly. It's now been almost a month since then, and I still have to have blood work done, as well as ultrasounds every now and then to keep monitoring my recovery. I have constant sharp pains in my abdomen and have been told the scar tissue left over from the infection may now keep me from becoming pregnant in the future.. It's all so much to deal with, and honestly, I don't think I've come to terms with everything yet. It still feels like a bad dream. Regardless of my experience with the pill and side effects it caused me, I can still step back and look at the broad picture of things.. The majority of women who use this method have no problems, and for them, this is a good way to go. I really do think it's a better choice for most, than to have the surgical abortion.. BUT - be warned.. It's not "easy" using the pill, and there's no way to know how you're body will react to it. I never knew I'd go through the things I did because of it. This is definitely not something to be looked at as the "new contraceptive" either, as some are saying. It's so risky, putting your body through something like this. It could take a toll on you that will effect the rest of your life. Like me.. Will I ever be able to have kids after everything that happened? Every woman out there should begin by being aware of how to avoid an unwanted pregnancy from the start. Such as life happens, and most protection only offers 99.9% effectiveness, we forget that's NOT 100%.. If you still become pregnant and choose to abort, do your homework.. read about all possibilities, and all side effects for each.. then decide what's best for you. I think the pill is a great option.. but be careful, it's certainly not without it's flaws.
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| This paper reflects the research and thoughts of a student at the time the paper was written for a course at Bryn Mawr College. Like other materials on Serendip, it is not intended to be "authoritative" but rather to help others further develop their own explorations. Web links were active as of the time the paper was posted but are not updated. |
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Comments
pregnant and dont no what to do
Im 25 pregnant an dont no what to do i broke up wit my ex but he's willing to do anything to make it wk,he can be aggresive so dont no if it will wk long term he's willin to try make it work,i dont no if im ready i prob would if i had support i never wanted to be a lone parent an always wanted to do it rite confused if u could give me any advise that would help
hi
dont go back to him he will do it agen and agen, i was with a guy that was agressive and he was during my pregnacy he just went to prison and a few days later i found out i was pregnant he was only in for 2 mos but i stupidly told him i was pregnant and didnt leave him when i should have. well any way i didnt want to be a loan parent either i thought its gonna be soo hard so thats y i told him bout being pregnant and luckly i had a healthy baby but hje could have caused problems when he would be really nasty and push his foot into mu belly when i was 22 weeks i was scared to leave coz he new where i would be. i broke up with him when sky was 3 mos, but i agreed when she was 5 mos he could move in so he had somewhere to live and he could see skye, but kicked him out of my house when skye was 11 mos old as we wernt even together and he would hit me and i met some1 else.
so dont worry bout being on ur own raising a baby its not hard all you have to do is feed,change, bath a baby yea it may be every 3- 4 hours changing and feeding but u still get time to urself when babys sleeping you have to be strong, if he wants access give it to him but only when u say, your in control now dont let him get u dwn no matter wat u say there is some better out there for u and men dont mind being with a woman with a child thats not theres
I just did this yesterday.
I just did this yesterday. At 10:00 I placed the four tablets inbetween my cheeks and gums for 45 min. I went about my day. I did take a pain pill, but felt absolutely nothing at all. I wore a huge pad and did not need it. The only heavy tissue I passed slid out during my shower and on a bathroom trip. It was done by 3:00. I cleaned house, played Clue, walked the dog and went to my mother in law's house for dinner. Today, I am just wearing a panty liner and have minimal if any bleeding. I am sorry for those women who had so much trouble, but do not let that frighten anyone. Be prepared for what could happen, and be aware that it is not necessarily what will happen.
Wow... what about the
Wow... what about the following days? Any cramps? Any bleeding? It's three days later for me and I'm laying in bed on my back and friends had to go and get food for me. I am still taking 800mg of ibuprofen every 4 hours because the nurse practitioner told me to on the phone because I almost took myself to the ER.
How old are you?
I'm 34 and in fabulous shape. I wonder why our experiences were so different. I was 7 weeks along and I did change my mind about the procedure after the first pill that I took at the doctor's office. I wonder if the way you feel about the abortion affects how much pain and complication you end up dealing with.
I haven't had the other procedure but today I definitely would prefer the other procedure to the pill. Don't just jump and do it. Explore other types if abortion. I am against the pill all the way. I can't go anywhere but lay in bed. This is excrutiating and awful for me.
Did you only take the oral
Did you only take the oral pills and not the vaginal pills? I am curious I am thinking of doing this.
do u think its save
i had sex with my fiance without a condom, but he did take it out before he even come. my concerne is i haven't had my periods yet and im so worried i could be pregnant and im not ready for another child yet and we had sex on the 9 january 2010. if i didn't get my periods at the end of this month, i want to go for an abortion and this sound the easy way out for me. i just want to know if the pill is realy save.
Aboriton pill vs surgical, ive had both...
I would much rather the medical abortion it is very natural, I've had children and compared to labor, it was not painful for me at all. The surgical abortion I found extremely painful as they open your cervix with metal rods and place a vaccum like suction tube into the uterus and painfully suck the contents out. If anyone has any questions feel free to contact me.
anxious
I'm terrified I suffer from really bad anxiety n panic my first time ever aborting I currently have 3 childen 11,5,&2... very nervous and scared any advice.....would be very much appreciated thanks....
Hi i have had a surgical
Hi i have had a surgical abortion and experienced mild pain. I am now pregnant and due to the fact that i have a son and had a c-section i am considering the medical pill abortion. I have never had bad period cramps and during labor the pain was tolerable. So I wonder if i would have mild pain with the pill. i go to school full time so if i took the pill i would have to do it during the weekend. did yours take a long time to end?
I have had an abortion 8
I have had an abortion 8 years ago, and now I am experiencing lower abdominal pain. i thought i was pregnant but the doctor did a pregancy test that came out negative and still feel the pain. By the way i am about 2 weeks away from my period. anyways, the doctors diagnosdd me of Grastritis- i guess i have so much gas in my body. do you think the pain might be a result from the abortion i had 8 years ago or would that prevent me from getting pregnant? please help me.
medical abortion/abortion pill
im so scared. i dunno what else to say. i get the pill tomorrow. what should i expect. i have a 3 year old son already.
I wouldnt take the pill, I've
I wouldnt take the pill, I've heard it is very painful and just like a misscarriage which is an auful thing to go through as a close friend of mine went through it, I had a termination 5 weeks ago I was put to sleep and it was removed I did not feel anything and the people at the clinic where amazingly helpful and so sympathetic (bpas).
when it was all over I just had a tummy ache like period pains and a little bleeding for a week.
abortion pill
I was reading a blog on internet and I saw you've used the pill abortion. I have just taken the send pills and I had severe cramps that shaken all my body, but there is no blood yet!!! I want you please let me know how was the steps with you and how you felt after it was over?!
I read some of the blogs and now I'm worried a lot, please answer my email as soon as you see it.
Thanks,
Mahsa
How do you feel now?
How do you feel now?
I suggest you get a follow up
I suggest you get a follow up check up to have your transvaginal ultrasound just to make sure if it is successful or not. I am 9 weeks pregnant until now I didn't touch the pills because they said there is the possibility that I have to undergo d&c and I don't like that and it's expensive here.
Help
I have a regular menstruation but I missed it last December. On January 3, I took a pregnancy test and it turned out positive. I am only 19 years old and in my Junior year in College. I live in the Philippines so abortion is illegal. On January 4, I took 2 Cortal (aspirin) because they said it was known to cause bleeding. The next day I took a test again just to make sure the first one was right and it turned out positive again. I took another 2 500 mg of Cortal (aspirin) the next day.
On January 7, I had a transvaginal ultrasound and I was 7 weeks and 6 days pregnant. Today, I'm in my 8 weeks and 3 days of pregnancy. This is not part of my plan and I believe that my parents would have a hard time accepting it because they told me if they found out that I am pregnant they would never want to see me again and they will consider me dead and worse I won't be able to finish my studies. My boyfriend doesn't have work as of now and I'm planning to have an abortion but as I have said earlier abortion here in the Philippines is illegal so if I choose to have it done, non-licensed people will do it surgically and this is dangerous since those people who practice it are not licensed nor properly educated. Considering medical abortion, Mifepristone is not available here and Cytotec are illegaly distributed here. I bought 3 tablets of Cytotec for P1500 pesos or $33. I do not have Mifeprex and I do not know where to get one and I think they don't have it here in the Phil. I don't think it will be successfull if I only use those 3 Cytotec because I know someone who has already taken a total of 40 Cytotec (Misoprostol) orally and as a suppository in her first trimester, but it was not successfull the baby is still alive and normal(and this is true) that is why now I'm hesitant.
To those who took the pill:
After all the painful things you experienced such as the bleeding and cramps, did you have a follow up check or an ultrasound just to make sure there is no fetal fragment left?
are you still pregnant as of
are you still pregnant as of today? is your abortion successful?
I'm half filipino but i live
I'm half filipino but i live in australia, my mum is over in the phillipines at the moment. I'm 18 and ive recently found out i'm pregnant i went to the drs and she said im 5 1/2 weeks. I understand your situiation with your parents, as filos are VERY STRICT AND RELIGIOUS. ive had a surgical abortion when i was 17 it was not painful at all. Ive booked in for the abortion pill tomoro. I spoke to my nurse at the clinic just before and she told me to expect a lot of bleeding as soon as ive taken the 1st pill, but every female is different.
But considering that your in the phillipines there should be an alternative to your situation, maybe do some reasearch on the internet or ask your dr if there is any "natural" way of termination.
or either tell your parents.
Hard Choice
Well after reading many stories I feel that I need to share mine.
After finding out I was pregnant I was so scared, I had just caught my partner cheating on me and coming to terms of being a single mother of two young children was enough for me to deal with... The thought of bringing another child into this world in a situation like this was not fair, so some may call it selfish, sinful and wrong. However I call it being afraid, alone and going against everything I believed in to do something that given the right situation I would never ever do.... the choice is hard but it is one I made and now one I must live in.
I took the first pill and cried so much, my heart felt like it was being pulled out of my chest, even though I knew what I was doing was in some spiritual and moral sence wrong I did not know what else to do.... I believe in God and I know that I hurt him when I did this, but I also dont believe for a minute that he judged me or stoppped loving me during this time. Nor do I believe he is doing that to me now.... It was a choice I made, but not one I made lightly. Before I go on want to say to anyone that judges me, please dont, I tear myself apart enough and it is not between you and I, it is now between me and god!
I allowed my ex to take me as I had no money, but would not let him come near me. I had not or have not told anyone, this is the first time I have spoken of this day.... I left the office as soon as they said I could went to pick up some painkillers and at this point I still felt fine....
The next morning I woke to some bleeding and still felt fine, I was in the middle of moving house so thought I would go and pick up a box with my children, I took the next pills before leaving thinking that I would only take 30 min anyhow.
I felt sick as soon as I got there, I had a quick drink and made the drive back home. It was then that the nausea hit me, and I had to pull over and I threw up on the side of the street for the next 30 min. I called my friend to come get my children as the reality of how bad it would be really hit me...
I got home 20 min later to call my ex to please come help me as I did not know what to do as was in so much pain and could not stop vomiting, he never came and I never heard from him again.
The cramping, vomiting and bleeding got so bad (and it was indeed just like the second stage of labour)I wanted to scream in in but I had to hide it all as I was still waiting for my friend to come and get my children (she had no idea)
I was in my bathroom trying to make it to the toliet when I passed out. When I woke up all I could see was blood everywhere and I was still vomiting. As I tried to clean it up my friend walked in, took one look at me put me in a blanket and took me to her house never once asking me a question.
The pain went away after about 6 of intense hours but the heavy bleeding lasted a couple of days..... and I would also like to add here that the clots are not just blood you can see what the clots are and it gives me nightmares to this day.
I cant say if it was the right thing to do, but for me at the time it was the only thing I knew I could cope with .
My only advice is be sure and have support. My best friend spent the night cleaning up after me and never once did I see judgement in her eyes all I saw was love. I believe that God still looks at me this way even now after this.
Your story made me cry. I'm
Your story made me cry. I'm laying in bed on my back still in pain and it's two days later. The first day after was normal but yesterday and today I'm in pain. Laying in bed type pain... had an ultrasound yesterday and they said things look normal. Except a scar or something. My follow up is in two weeks. Did you have any pain afterwards?
This site scared me when I didn't need to be
I was very nervous and afraid after reading some people's responses to the pill. I was preparing myself for all the horrible things people said happened to them. I'm not saying it didn't happen to them but my experience was not bad at all. I went to the doctor and took the first pill and felt totally normal. I then waited two days and took the other two pills perscribed to me. I had cramping of course, but nothing like some people described. It was like I was having a heavy period. I started to bleed all of a sudden and mostly it all came out when I went to the rest room. There was some pain which was helped cope with by advil and a heat pad. The cramping and bathroom visits lasted about 6 hours. After that I had a "normal" type period for about 7 days. A little more bleeding than normal but no nausea, no abdominal pain. From what I read about the pill some of the posts on here sound like what happens when something goes wrong. The nausea, extreme pain, and other symptoms some people described were, as I read in the pamphlet, a reaction that needed medical attention- not what is noramally suppose to happen. My doctor didnt proscribe me pain medication because it wasn't needed! I will say the heat pads were great for the cramps! I suggest people read about the medical clinical results. My doctor said he has had 99 percent success rate and almost all the women he has had used the pill would reccommend it. I would reccommend it as well. I don't know if the people on here were being honest about there experience- if you are I am sorry you had to go through that and maybe you took a different type of pill or your body just responded that way- but from my research a lot of the sympotoms described were the exact symptoms I read that were the signs of something wrong and medical attention would be needed. Maybe some of the posts were used to scare people. I don't know, I'm not a doctor, but I do know my experience was not like a lot of the posts and I was scared and worried becuase of some of the things I read on here. I thought I would share my experience for those who were in my position and are reading all the posts on here. I hope all reading this do their homework and talk to the doctor about exactly what will happen and what to expect. Knowledge helps ease the anxiety.
thank you for your post...i
thank you for your post...i will be going to the clinic for the pill on saturday.. we are jus tnot prepared to be parents yet. i dont want to do the in clinic surgery, the invasion of it makes me sick to think about.. i'm sure this is the right thing to do, and i expect pain.. but some of the previous posts have really freaked me out.. people passing out in pools of blood and vomit.. seems like A LOT more then what the clinician said it would be.. so thank you for your post.. perhaps i wont have as bad an experience as it seems others have had.
thanks for your post
I am going for it tomorrow and this site just scared the crap out of me! I had a surgical in 07 and I woke up in the middle of it with pain but I felt back asleep right away.. the medicine they gave me to "bring the uterus back to normal" gave me heavy cramps, but I already have heavy cramps on my periods... I've been searching all through interenet about abortion methods and I though that I should give it a try... Maybe some antiabortionists are using this to scare people out of abortions but I think if I cannot give my child a decent life so, is better wait a little... my husband doesnt have a job and I am making 600 per MONTH, so no way to have a baby now. And by the way, it is not a person yet, just a potential person.
pregnancy
I had good amount of unprotected sex with my ex-boyfriend for 1yr ie 2005 -2006 But i never became pregnant when we were in relation after even having unprotected sex and we got broke up in 2007.After couple yr gap where i never had any physically relation, Now i got married to different person in dec 2009.I completed my menses cycle period on 22nd dec and after 5days i had unprotected sex last week of dec with my husband for first time will i become pregnant and when exactly i can go for pregnancy test. and can i do the pregnancy test at home.
i am 18 years old and thought
i am 18 years old and thought i should write about my experience as so many people have wrote how bad it is and has made it sound really scary! i was 7 weeks pregnent and was really scared bout having the abortion i didnt tell my parents and they still dont know,i just told them i had bad period pains. i took the fist tablet on the wednesday at the clinic which didnt give me any side affects. i then went back on the thursday to have to last tablets, which where inserted by the nurse, which wasnt very nice but yano. a couple minutes after while i was waiting for a taxi i did get really bad pains, like proper bad cramps,i went really hot and felt like i was going to faint but this only lasted about 15 minutes. then i was normal for bout half an hour then i had really bad pains i think they may of been contractions i lay in bed while this was happening. the pains were bad but what do you expect you are basicly having a misciage. these pains lasted about half an hour. then after i just i bad period pains for like a day. i also didnt bleed that much either, just like a heavy period. i passed some blood clots the first time i went to the toilet but that was all. over all i didnt think it was that bad i thought it was going to be alot worse than it atchully was. the worst bits were really painfull but didnt last long. i also went out to a party on the friday (the following day) and was fine.
A little worried
I took the medical abortion pill just over 4 weeks ago i went through the terrible pains and cramping and have been bleeding still on and off ever since. I had to go to the doctors over a week ago because my lymphe node glnds came up in my neck which iv never had under my chin before and have been feeling under the weather. But i have finished the penicillin now but since christmas day i have had pains in my stomach just before i go to the toilet. I am still passing some sort of rubbery tissue and blood but im not sure if i now have an infection should i go to the doctors. I am a dance teacher and i am just about to start a new job and its not good that i can just about walk around.?
It wasn't bad at all
I felt the need to share my recent experience after reading dozens of horror stories on this site and others. I found out at 41 that I was 8 weeks pregnant and decided to end my pregnancy. I read about the horror of taking the pill to end my pregnancy and was terrified of taking it. I cried for 2 days and was dreading it every waking moment. I finally had to go for it andI took it on Xmas eve night and waited for the "inevitable" cramping, lying on the bathroom floor, vomiting, etc. None of which occurred.
I took the pill at 9:00pm and waited the 45 for it to disolve. I ended up with a mouthful of soft pills and downed the rest with a cup of water. I then took 2 Tylenol 3 pills and 2 400mil of Iburophen and waited....at about 10:30 I felt some slight aching like my period was going to start, and some chills that lasted about 20 mins. I then went to bed at about 11:30. About 12:00 I began to feel some nausea and cramping, like my uterus was being squeezed, but nothing unbearable. I went to the toliet as told everytime I felt the cramping. Each time I emptied blood and some clots into the toliet. This went on for about 2-3 hours, getting out of bed and going to the toilet. I went about a total of 4 times. I did feel the need to vomit once, but I didn't. I eventually fell asleep and woke in the morning with some heavy bleeding like a heavy period.
It has been 2 days and I just feel like I do when I get my period, tired and a bit achy, but nothing bad at all!
Don't listen to all the hype. Everybody is different. I was at 8 weeks and didn't have much pain, even though I was far along for the pill. Take your pain meds right after finishing the pill and you should do fine.
Where did you go to have
Where did you go to have yours done? Planned Parenthood by any chance?
Mid process
I am currently mid process. Having discovered I was 4+5 pregnant I chose to take the pill as it is less intrusive in my eyes. I always said I could never have an abortion and actually have a child who is almost 4 both pregnancies were unplanned and due to failure in contraception. With the first I never even considered abortion and gave up my career and married the father. This was a huge mistake. I knew it was at the time but was so determined to keep my baby and give it the best chance in life. I would never be without my child but having recently fallen pregnant again to a man I'm not ready to have a family with and recently started a new job I knew the day my symptoms started that I couldn't go through with this pregnancy. 4 years ago I made many tough decisions and suffered from post natal depression as a result of doing what people believed was the right thing. I'm now older and able to do what is right for me. Please don't think this is an easy decision it's the toughest I have ever made but I'm aware it's right for me.
I took the first pill on Saturday and am going back tomorrow Tuesday for the suppository. Over the last three days ice suffered dull aches but nothing more than menstrual cramps. Today whilst at work I had a brown discharge and pains became more constant but still quite easy to control with paracetamol. This afternoon I've passed a number of clots whilst going to the toilet this has just felt like a heavy period and no other side effects have occured.
I do have a feeling of wondering what if but that soon passes when I look at how hard it would be to raise two children and work to keep my house. It's not the right time for me to have a child and this experience has made me realise just how important contraception is and also to be in a loving relationship with a partner before I even consider having more children. Whilst this procedure has been quite easy (physically) for me I never ever want to have to repeat this decision.
I hope this helps someone who is thinking of taking the pills or undergoing a procedure.
please help..
I'm 17, 18 at the end of january, I have just done a test and found out I am about 3-4 weeks pregnant and am 8 days late. Im to scared to tell my mum and dad about being pregnant as they would chuck me out the house and I would have nowhere to go, we do not get on as it is. They are strong chrstians and do not believe in abortion, but as I am 17 I am really not ready for a child, it was an accident and I do not have a partner/boyfriend that would be there for me.
I have read up about the abortion pill and it sounds awful, well done to everyone that has gone through with it, but i cannot stand pain at all not even a little bit and I have no idea what to do.
Could anyone give me any advice on what to do? Thank You xxx
please help...
I would say I have been in a very similar situation to yourself. And I can understand your feelings. I would recommend trying to get advice from local organizations. Where are you from? as in UK you do have advice lines and family planning clinics to help with situations like this. Your docter should be able to refer you to some help. I am pregnant myself now 7 weeks and have a appointment on the 20th Jan for a scan, I would be going for the abortion pill however reading others comments on it. Till you don't try it, you never know. Your body may react differently and could avoid what others felt. As the reaction is on each individual. It can't be so scary as others commented as it is FDA approved and also effective 95-97%. Don't worry and if you would like to speak to someone, am here as a friend. Take care and I hope everything works out for you.
question
i'm 16 &&
had unprotected sex, i've been doing some reading and i think i should do the same. My friends mom tlked to me said i should tell me mom if i should take the pill or not
bad side effects she said. now i'm looking for results on what happend.
did youu take it?
my moms also a christian and i'm not sure bought abortion, but my dad past away at 6.
what did youu do?
what should YOU do?
i can't just tell you what to do. it's pretty obvious that you are considering the pill. it's you who has to decide no one else. might not be the best decision but it could be the right for you.
keep in mind that pain will always be there. most of successful cases said that the pain is more like a regular period by worrying about the pain it will only terrify you more. mind is a really complex thing. be positive that things will be OK.
yet, learn the facts before deciding.
wish for the best.
everyone is different
Although I have never taken the time to share my thoughts about my previous decisions, I have just undergone the abortion pill after having gone through two prior abortions in the past-several years ago-one under anesthesia and the other not. Though my story/history lends itself to perhaps you saying 'how could she?!', remember that we are all here to describe our opinions and experiences for others who have or are looking for the same means of sharing or being informed. That being said, having taken the abortion pill, through my prior experiences, the pains from the pills are nothing compared to that of the actual procedure(s), by any means. Like one person stated previously, EVERY WOMAN IS DIFFERENT, and for that reason, our experiences are going to be different, although they can also be shared. For that reason, should you decide to go through the route of the abortion pill, during your time of self-thought and apprehensions, etc, some things that might help you with the pains would be to judge how well do you suffer with pain in general? (physically-emotionally is the harder battle), The abortion pill may feel like your normal period; however more often then not, based on several friends that too have undergone this procedure, you may feel it as bad as 10 times. Nevertheless, knowing you'll be given a Rx for pain medication, being able to 'relax' or afford more rest during the first 48 hours would render you less emotional pain as well as outward pain that would be exhibited to others which can oftentimes make the situation worse than it appears. If you do choose to take the pill, know that you aren't alone with media such as this site and others to draw your attention to/share your thoughts/etc, but having a friend(s) nearby-whether you tell them the entire story or just that you're 'under the weather' can make the difference on your internal pain-scale.
Having been stuck in a jam and confronted with the decision to make, I asked my best friend who happens to be a doctor about this procedure and he said that it 'could go either way, lots of pain or pain like that of a very heavy menstrual cycle, but that it's the period of bleeding (spotty or slowly continual) for a week or two after that some may not like'. I experienced moderate pain only lasting for about 6 hours, clots, nausea, etc; however it was nothing as compared to that of the real procedures (which have come along way since I had one several years ago) or to that of vaginal childbirth.
Anyways, the best advice I can give is to use your mind...think...and act on what feels best to you. Everyone's experience(s) are different as we are all different people, but sharing in a similar situation. Good luck to those of you who choose either route. Thanks for the help and information as well.
Worst Decision I Ever Made
It's insane for me to even fathom anyone stating that this pill is giving an "easy" way out of pregnancy. I, like others that have commented, had to terminate my pregnancy as a result of drugs I had been taking that make pregnancy not an option. If I would have made the choice to continue this pregnancy, there was a very high likelihood that I would have miscarried late term, had a child with serious birth defects, a 67% chance of a still birth and worst yet, serious risk to my own life. For about 6 months prior to finding out I was pregnant, I had been taking nasty medications to save my life that specifically and very strongly suggest making sure you do not get pregnant because of their ability in the early stages (first 6 weeks) of pregnancy to cause serious damage to the fetus. Problem is, birth control is never 100% irregardless of what method you choose to use.
I was 6 weeks when I tested positive - the worst time in my life, I was pregnant and it was viable but not guaranteed for much longer. After consulting with my Dr. it was strongly recommended that I terminate the pregnancy as soon as possible and explore my options. Hard thing to handle on its own. After consulting with Dr.'s who specialize in abortion procedures, I was provided the option of the chemical abortion. I was told it would last a few hours, mild cramping and that it wasn't guaranteed to be successful but would afford me privacy and allow me to terminate in a comfortable environment, my home. I felt this was the best decision for me despite now knowing at the time that it is not recommended for women over 35. I'm 38.
The 72 hours I endured of this termination, were the worst hours of my life. To begin with, I have a blood disorder that made using this method dangerous to begin with and required medication adjustments in order to decrease my risk. After assurance from a team of Dr.'s I proceeded on a planned weekend. The first pill taken in the Dr.'s office was uneventful. I had no cramping or bleeding, just mild anxiety of what was to come 24 hours later. At the 24 hour mark, I took the remaining 4 pills and re-read all the material on what to expect. Within an hour I was reeling with the worst pain I've ever had. I'm a mother of two and I would not even compare this kind of pain to contractions. I would say they were worse. At one point I had to get up and go to the bathroom as I thought I was going to vomit. When I got to the bathroom extreme vertigo hit me. Mind you, at this time I had not started bleeding yet. Luckily, my boyfriend in the next room heard my cries for help and came to me just in time to catch me as I collapsed - unconscious. When I finally came too, the fire department was preparing to transport me to the nearest emergency room where I remained for 6 hours during the process of this abortion. The pain was so sever, that I was still moaning and reeling in pain after being given morphine intravenously, upping the dose every hour. The bleeding was so intense despite having a normal PT/INR level at the time. I had to have a vaginal ultrasound during this process to ensure I wasn't bleeding worse than I was in that hospital bed. I was soaking a pad every ten minutes for 4 hours. I thought at one point I was going to have to have a blood transfusion. My pulse and heart rate were all over the board and CT scans were then ordered to ensure my heart wasn't in trouble. The actual process itself complete with intense pain lasted over 10 hours and was the most traumatizing experience I've ever had. I'm two weeks post termination as I write this and I'm still bleeding. Fortunately, I've not had any indications of infection or other disturbances aside from continual period type bleeding. My fear now is what kind of damage has this drug done to me? What are it's long term effects to the female organs and my heart? According to the ER Dr. it is a dangerous drug and wasn't reviewed stringently by the FDA as most drugs are. I strongly recommend looking into another option apart from this one. It's too volatile and dangerous to be taken without being under constant medical supervision. My boyfriend is as traumatized as I am. The worst part of it all for him was dealing with me not breathing and not knowing what to do while waiting for emergency services. Can you count on the one who will be with you knowing what to do in an emergency? If I had this choice to make again, I would have chosen the aspiration method. I have my second follow up (first was EKG to ensure my heart wasn't still having problems)tomorrow. It's still a possibility that a D&C will have to be performed to ensure its success and to keep from developing a life threatening infection. I have my fingers crossed and I extend my story to you who are looking at this as an option for you. Please, re-think the alternatives, this process was not easy at all!!! - I wish you peace in your choices
This pill is the worst thing I've ever taken & had done.
January 16,2009 is a day I will never forget. I was 8 weeks pregnant and being that I didn't have any other choice with my health problems i had to take this pill. Let me first tell you that the side effects are different for every person.
Saturday I took the next set of pills. 30 minutes after I started having SEVERE Cramping. Forget the "slight" cramps. It was so bad. I actually took 2 800mg of Ibuprofen and basically was curled up in a ball, couldn't get up, couldn't go to the bathroom, I was crying, I had to force myself to fall asleep to pass the time. 4 hours go by and I finally am able to get to the bathroom, it was horrible I then saw the miscarriage parts..
I had to call my doctor an hour after because I was bleeding so bad. I had cramping, using pads I filled 1 up in 15 minutes for like 5 hours. I went to the ER to be monitored. it was AWFUL.
Lets just say as a result to this.. I bled for the end of that month- Beginning of MARCH.
I ended up going back to the doctors and found out i had an infection from the abortion and had to have 4 surgery's of getting the remains out of me. FOUR FUCKING SURGERY'S it was AWFUL.
I was terrified I kept on thinking is this going to affect me trying to get pregnant in the future?
He kept on telling me I'd be fine just wait 6 weeks. Fuck that I was going to wait at least a year because of the problems I've been having.
to anyone considering taking this pill I'd advice you to seek other options. Talk to a parent or friends. Adoption, support groups..
I do not recommend this pill to anyone. you never know what it will do to your body.. now to this day i regret it.. I am stuck wondering if I'll ever truly be able to get pregnant when I'm somewhat healthier.
Not only do I regret my decision i regret taking the pill. Its not a easy experience at all.
what should i do?
I am 26 years old have a loving partner and 2 small children aged 2 and 4 months. I got pregnant whilst on the pill big shock! I'm 6 weeks pregnant and unsure what to do we are in a small house away from family and friends and have very little money, I did book in for a medical abortion but ended up walking out before being seen to i really dont know what to do. About 3 years ago I had a medical abortion it was horrible but i thought it was the right thing to do at the time I still think about it now. If I had the baby we would struggle with money and how would I cope I dont want an abortion but feel like i have no choice. please help me I dont know what to do.
Please do not have the
Please do not have the abortion. This baby is a gift from God. He will provide for you and your family. Do you work? Does your significant other work? Does he have full custody of his kids? I'm positive you will find someway to provide for this baby, God has given you another little blessing! I'm talking from experience, I was 20 years old and I got pregnant ( i was dating my boyfriend for 2 1/2yrs , now he is my husband). I had no money I was just working part time and going to school, I contemplated having an abortiong but I knew I would regret it forever. I had the baby , beautiful healthy baby boy who is now 5 yrs old...also a little girl 4 yrs old and another baby 8months old. I am now 26 and have been married for almost 6yrs.
Hi. Don't get rid of the
Hi. Don't get rid of the baby. So many people are waiting to adopt. My husband and I are parents to two beautiful children and I would not trade having them for anything.our situation with our first was not perfect but who's is.the baby didn't ask for this. The babies beating heart and trust in you as its mommy should be enough to change your mind. God bless and may he help you in your decision.
I think that you should still
I think that you should still have the baby, but if money is a problem then give it up for adoption.
Please help
Hi everyone, first of all, I'm a 25 y/o U.S citizen living in the Philippines at the moment and im 2 weeks pregnant. I called the pharmacies and just like I thought it is unavailable and illegal here. I heard it is possible to order online? Can someone please email me details about this drug and how to take it properly if ever? If there is a legitimate website please let me know. Please please help. Thanks you!
Misoprostol
I ordered it through BM pharmacy, but I took it and it hasn't worked. I only started spotting blood and it did not expel the whole pregnancy.
Don't be afraid, its not that bad.
Age:27
Never been pregnant.
I read through some stories on this site and thought I would share my experience.
11:45 took first set of pills at the doctors office,
They gave me prescription for pain killers and antibiotics.
Had cramps over night and morning but very mild.
Next day-
2:00 pm had spotting (brown stuff)
2:15 took vicodin (starts working like 30 min later)
2:45 took 4 remaining pills, held for 30 min in mouth, swallowed the rest
Had mild cramps. No bleeding
7:05 cramps increasing in pain. Still tolerable.
7:20 pm bleeding began- bad cramps in waves for 4 hours.
11:30 able to sleep- but woke up every two hours or so to go to the bathroom.
Next morning-went to work, abdominal pain(like exercise), still bleeding like period, not too bad.
Overall, better than I expected after reading so many horror stories. The pain is about 30% more than your normal cramps in my experience. It’s painful but you can get through it. It’s good to have someone with you for moral support.
Make sure you get strong pain killers and a heat pad. I didn’t have that many clots thanks to it. Clots were about size of a quarter for me. You will see a TON of blood but mostly when you sit in the toilet. I sat for 15 minutes intervals every once in a while to let it flow, changing position from straight sitting to chest on knees. It helps with cramps.
You probably wouldn’t be reading this if your reasons weren’t strong. This experience is hard for EVERYONE. The nurse told me 1 in 3 women go through this. I do not encourage it, I wish with all my heart I didn’t have to have gone through it. But if you have to, make sure you have someone to talk to that is going to support you. I had a friend who went through it and she was great support. Last thing you need is people judging. It’s hard enough as it is. But understand that it is worse emotionally than it is physically, so don’t be afraid. I was terrified without needing to be. It’s your life and your future. No one else’s.
It's good to see a positive
It's good to see a positive comment on here about the pill. I think more and more experiences need to be posted so people can make informed choices. I'm surprised at all the different experiences.
I just took the second pill yesterday and found it very difficult. I had a child seven years ago and I can honestly say the contractions two hours immediately after taking the second pill were as intense as the final two hours of my mostly natural childbirth. It was a great surprise and my doctor had not perscribed painkillers or given any indication this was possible. I didn't vomit or have a high temp, but sweated like in childbirth, found myself needing breathing techniques and realised I was going quite mad with the pain. It stopped as suddenly as it started and today, though sore, it seems like I only imagined it.
I will have to now recommend surgical termination over the pill to anyone who decides they must end a pregnancy.
Two weeks ago I went to
Two weeks ago I went to planned parenthood to recieve the first medication. After wards I had no appetite but felt fine. The next morning I was very sick to my stomach. They gave me something for that. I took a vicadine and then the 4 pills in my checks. After a half hour swallowed the pills. Within minutes I had really bad chills and was filling a super pad and a towel within minutes. I slept a little no cramping. I decided to sit on the couch for a while and started to feel strange. So I though I needed a drink. I went in to the kitchen took a drink and passed out on the floor. When I came to I though I should try to get to my bed. I made it to the corner and pass out. I waited got up to use the bathroom and again passed out. This happened several more times that day, Now I am having persistant headaches and wondering if they are connected to the loose of blood. I know I lost a lot in the first day.
I dont know where to get this pill
where can I get the pills??
Im 17 years old and have just
Im 17 years old and have just broke up with my partner am about 5 weeks along and dont know what to do,im not ready to have a baby an neither is my ex.i would like to know how to get this pill and is it the best way or is the surgical better.thank you
Surgical better- just had one
After hearing all of these comments about bad experiences with the pill- I am much more confident that I made the right decision. I had a surgical abortion 2 days ago and it went perfectly well. The medecine in the IV allowed me to not feel pain during the procedure but I was still fully awake and aware of what was happening. I bled like a moderate period after that... and it has been slowing down. My face feel warm on and off like Im about to get a fever but I haven't. My cramping is minimal. And had I taken the ab pill I would have feared that my body didn't expel the birth completely (which increases the change of infection) and this way I am 100% sure it;s out, done and over with. The symptoms last loonger aafter you take the pill than if you have a surgical prod=cedure.
Hush..... Don't judge only
Hush..... Don't judge only God can judge me and it is certainly not your place
if you are not ready to have
if you are not ready to have a baby then you shouldnt have had sex