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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
just take it now
i dont know if im 9 weeks pregnant because my last period was march 20(first day)and today is 5-27-08. i didnt went to the hospital to had an ultrasound i just count. i already had 2 kids eldest is going 3 this june and the going is going 1 this june also. i had this unplanned pregnancy i thought of having an abortion since the first month its just that the reason it took me so long is the money. cause its not legal in our country so i look for a site and i saw womenonweb.com i send them the donation of 40 euro and they send me the package 5 days after. then now just now. 8:40pm i took the mifepristone.. so tomorrow im kinda scared because of what ive read and heard but im still gonna do it. my husband and i talked about it. i can tell that he is worried about me he said that i should take care of myself. he is gonna be by my side when i do it. im just gonna put the 2 misopristol tablet in between gums and cheeks and another 2 after 4 hours. sounds easy but really scarey. but i have to condition myself.
i know how giving birth is painfull but..
ive always pray to GOD to help me, and nothing bad will happen. and i ask HIM to take my baby with HIM. i know its against HIM but i still trust HIM.
i am nineteen and just took
i am nineteen and just took the second part of the abortion pill today. i dissolved the 4 pills in my mouth at around 4 this afternoon, and about an hour later began to bleed intensely. i am/was 6 weeks pregnant, so there is more blood being released than what i had expected. i had the smallest painless cramp the first hour before i started to bleed, and now i am just going to the bathroom frequently. my boyfriend and i both made the choice for me to take the abortion pill only because i was less than 7 weeks pregnant. if i had been more, i would have kept the baby and given it up for adoption. the first few hours that i have experienced so far are incredibly personal and emotional, but it's also a good feeling knowing that i have gotten it taken care of. i'm just waiting for this insanely heavy bleeding to subside, because then as far as i've been told from a friend who has taken the pill, the bleeding winds down to a period-like bleeding. i wish you luck :)
scary situation
I'm 18 years old and i jus found out about 2 weeks ago that i was 5 weeks pregnant. Just hearing the words coming from the nurses mouth brought me to tears. I went home and told my boyfriend who was really supportive of me,no matter what decision i chose to make. So, anyway i was and still am very scared.I'm about 7 weeks now.i found out about the abortion pill about a week ago,but after doing research i found out that the abortion pill has very serious side effects including death.i read about bad cramping and bleeding that stops whenever and that really scared me.thank god i did my research because i actually had a appointment to take the pill the next day..so after doing research i immediately called and changed it from the medical procedure to the surgical procedure.my appointment is early in the morning and I'm very,very nervous..but at the same I'm just ready to get it all over with.so wish me luck.
Changed my mind at the last minute
I did the same thing and I and changed my mind,The ladies at the clinic were honest,I asked them what are the other girls feelings about it when they come back for their follow up after taking the pill? The ladies told me out of 15 girls only 1 girl said it was fine and would do it again. The rest of the girls said it was not worth it,it was so painful they would NEVER do it again that way.
15% have to come back and have the rest of the fetus cleaned out:( Thats like a double abortion)
The things women have to go through,it is something you will never forget but is a choice that has to be made at certain times in womens lives.
what to do
here is my situation i just had a baby january 13 2008 a baby girl who was pre-mature born at 25 1/2 weeks she doing very well and very health now she will be coming home in a few days from the hospital....i just found out a week ago i am pregnate again im am scared to have another premature baby it was tuff...i dont want to have another baby right now i havent even taken home my first baby yet. i talked withmy boyfriend he wanted to have an abortion with our first but i wanted to keep her i just couldnt see myself takin a life away.. but now i dont think we are finacial ready to have another we have no family close to us i quit my job where i was makin great money i want to have another baby in a few years when we are ready but i dont want to do the sergical abortion i have heard some pretty scary stuff but now i have been hearing the same about the pill i have a mild case of anemia and my boyfiend works 6days a week so i have no one to take care of me and our baby girl i need some advice what should i do??!!
I have an appointment this
I have an appointment this Friday to go take the first pill. I am so nervous being 20years old and not really sure what to expect. This is something I do not want to do but its what I have to do.neither my boyfriend or myself can support a child,I mean we still live at home. This was such an accident and we were using protection it just didn't work I guess. I have no idea what I am supposed to be expecting, where do you bleed am I supposed to sit on a toilet for hrs or do I wear a pad I'm so confused. Just wondering if anyone has any other facts they can share.
Abortion pill, pain or no pain?
Hi,
It really seems to me that everybody who inserts the second pill in their vagina are the ones experiencing the excruciating pain. Do the oral cheek the gum thing. I am taking my first pill today and i have done alot of research and i think this is the case.
I don't know if you will get
I don't know if you will get this email or not...but I am hoping you can reach out to someone who is so terrified she is beside herself...ME! I see by the date of your post that you just completed this a couple weeks ago. I am going the same route as you...oral/cheek. Please, please tell was it really that awful? I am so scared.
I am in this same situation
I am in this same situation i have taken the 1st pill althought i wish i hadnt, but i will let u know how it goes
everyone is different
and my story is one that would fill anyone with dread. Last year I found out that I was pregnant for the fourth time but knew something wasn't quite right. I had feelings that I'd never experienced before and they really frightened me. I became super protective over my own child but hated others and couldn't be near them. There were really bad pains too, down my back and underneath. I made the decision to abort and at my first scan was told that there was just an empty bag of water inside me. I was given the first pill in hospital and felt fine afterwards, then 2 days later went back into hospital to have the second pill (4 pessaries) and had to remain there until the nursing staff decided it was ok for me to leave.
About 2 hours after the pessaries, I started to bleed, not heavy at first but enough to upset me. I felt a clot come out but it wasn't a normal looking clot, very pale, almost pink in colour and not that big. A few hours later some more small clots came out and after the nursing staff examined them I was allowed home. I assumed that was it, although I knew I had to return for a follow up scan 2 weeks later.
I bled like a normal period for 8 days and then it stopped. I assumed that all was ok... more fool me. During my follow up scan, which had to be done internally, I was told that the bag was still there along with some other debris (clots)... great. After all the prodding and poking I started to bleed again.
A week later I had another scan, bag and bits still there so I was then referred to another hospital for a surgical procedure. At this hospital, when they looked through the notes they advised that a surgical for just an empty bag could damage my womb... hmmm no thank you. So I was then given another pill and sent home.
This carried on for almost 2 months, no bleeding but then a sneeze or cough would make me pass a clot or start bleeding again.
In total, I'd had 5 scans and bled for over 2 months. I finally passed the products of conception (empty bag and placenta) but it took just over 2 months.
If anyone reading this has the same situation of an empty gestational sac, I would strongly suggest letting nature do it's thing as it will pass on it's own before 20 weeks anyway.
tampons?
did they tell you that you could use tampons if not why?
About the tampon
You can die from tampons. If you put a tampon on and you sleep with it instead; of changing it to a pad you can die from it. You never suppose to go to sleep with a tampon on. It do something to the inside or something I not for sure. But I do know you can die from it.
If you use a tampoon while
If you use a tampoon while bleeding heavily you can get toxic shock syndrome, which can cause death. I don't mean to scare u but don't use a tampoon if took an abortion pill!
tampon
If the bleeding is so heavy, tampons sound like a bad idea. I'm not a doctor, but I have read the insert with tampons and excessive backup of blood (from heavy bleeding or long term use) can poison the body and even be fatal. If you were to use anything, I'd suggest a night-time pad.
Tampon use and TSS
First off, let me start by saying that you should NEVER take anything you read on a site such as this to heart. If you are here to learn more about other womens reactions, and experiences with the abortion pill, that is fine; however, you must keep in mind that every woman is different, every pregnancy is different, every persons body reacts differently to medication and the only person who can truly advise you on the safety and proper use of any drug, is a trained medical professional.
In reading the last few posts regarding tampon use, I felt I should clarify something IN CASE someone reads it and gets the wrong idea.
-The assosciation of Menstrual TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome) and Tampon use has NOTHING TO DO WITH THE AMMOUNT THAT YOU ARE BLEEDING!!!! There is absolutely no such thing as "blood backing up into the body" as one previous poster stated, TSS is not your Tampon getting "too full", it is an infection caused by the presence of bacteria.
-TSS is solely related to the presence of bacteria in the vaginal tract, which gets into the Tampon. Once the bacteria is present, it causes a local infection, which then spreads through the walls of the vagina and into the bloodstream. TSS becomes deadly because it becomes a septic infection; moving thru the blood and into other organs such as the heart, kidneys, and lungs.
-The type of bacteria that causes TSS is called Staphylocccous Aureus, AKA "Staph", and is a COMMON bacteria, which people are exposed to on a daily basis, while rarely getting sick.
-TSS is caused when a menstruating woman uses a tampon (typically high absorbency), and the tampon is not removed for an inordinate ammount of time. Toxin (bacteria) production by Staph requires a protein-rich environment, which is provided by the flow of menstrual blood, & elevated oxygen levels, which are provided by the tampon.
It is not known with 100% certainty what the relation between tampons and TSS is, but it is known that there is a relation. Some assosciation has been made to the type of material a tampon is made with; IE, cotton, vs. rayon.
-It is recommended that a woman use the lowest absorbency tampon necessary for her flow, and that a tampon never be worn for longer than 8 hours, or overnight. It is also imperative to NOT use a tampon for the FIRST TWELVE WEEKS AFTER A BIRTH, MISCARRIAGE OR ABORTION (due to increased blood flow, mucus membrane changes,risk of higher bacteria levels, and changes in hormone levels).
-It is also recommended that a woman use proper hygiene practices during menstruation.
**The first signs and symptoms of TSS are a sunburn-like rash(typically developing on the abdomen and genitals), headache, severe fatigue, "flu-like" symptoms; such as a suddenly high fever (100-104), body aches and chills. Vomiting, naseau, diarrhea and vision changes are also common. The most important thing a woman who feels she may have TSS can do, is IMMEDIATELY REMOVE THE TAMPON SHE IS USING, and seek medical treatment. Immediate medical treatment will prevent the spread and worsening of the infection. TSS is most typically treated by the use of IV fluids, and antibiotics; such as cephalosporins.
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On another note: I do commend the women who have contributed to this site by sharing in their experiences. Though I have never had to have an abortion, I know many who have had to and I know that it does not go without it's struggles. And for women to come out, and share their experiences with others is awesome; especially because so many women are so afraid of judgement. And to all those who have come here spouting their pro-life, religious, political, closed minded views; GO SOMEWHERE ELSE AND TALK ABOUT YOUR OPINIONS. Though I am not judging you for YOUR OPINION, and you are rightly entitled to it, there is a thing called "class" and "right place, right time"..this is not the right place to spout that opinion. You cannot judge someone you do not know for the choice that they make, you have no idea why these girls choose this and do not know the pain that they have likely experienced as a result. The ignorance of pre-judgement is all I see when I read your posts. And don't tell them you will "pray for them", their soul is fine, it does not need your "saving". Your "prayer" is your judging them, something they do not need.
Very well said!
Very well said!
its wasnt that bad for me
well i found out i was pregnant when i peed on a stick i made the decision of aborting because i already have a wonderful 16 month old child and im not stable to bring another child into this world(fianaclly..i made the appointment with planparent hood... wensday april 30th i had a sonogram it said i was 6 weeks, so i deccided to do the pill becuase i was scared of the surgical it didnt look or feel safe to me.. i took the first pill at the doctors office i felt fine i only had nausea but didnt throw up jus felt like it.. then the whole day i was fine feeling a little sick in my stomach but it was nothing it just made me very sleepy. then the next day at 12:30 i took the 2nd part of the pill they told me to hold it in my cheeks and gums for an half hour so i did.. immediatly after that i felt cramps but not as bad as i thought it wouldve been..had bleeding and diarreha a common side effect.. i felt the "fetus" come right out the biggest blood clot i ever seen.. but anyway i had heavy bleeding for about 4 hours after that it was light..now im perfectly fine going in 2 weeks to find out if everything is ok.. i honestly feel fine mentally emotinally and physcially i think its because i got pregnant by a guy i didnt really care for like that and i really didnt think to much of the fetus i just thought of it as a problem that needed to be resolved. and thats my story hopefully women dont get scared by the storys u read on this blog but the 37 year old women that got endocrimotis (watever) it says on the list if ur over 35 not to take the pill so its not the pills fault that, that happened i see it as that was her fault she shouldve read more into the medical abortion.. this method is the best and its awesome so i suggest if your no more then 8 weeks do the pill,..
scared and confussed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
can sum 1 tell me if i will have to pay for the abortion pills ?????
sick-o
"i really didnt think to much of the fetus.....
i just thought of it as a problem that needed to be resolved"
i cant believe you could say something like that.
i took my first pill today and am continuing with the second set tomorrow, but i still love this baby. i have two kids that are 11 months and 3 years and am only 23. i am taking this as a wake up call to fix my life so if i ever become pregnant again i wont have to make such a horrible decision. u are a waste of space and i bet you wont do anything to better yourself.
people that use this as contraceptive make me sick.
learn from your mistakes please.
That is correct she only
That is correct she only meant that she didn't feel anything for the fetus, because there wasn't any bond between her and the man. I can understand this. I took it last week, and I'm still with my man. I just don't want anymore kids, and I was just about to have the IUD placed in when I found out I was. We are in the USA ladies, we have choices. We have these sites to help us understand how these other options like the pill, effect other ladies who have made the choice to use it. Let's stop putting each other down for our views and choices. Be kind to each other and help each other. We get enough bad treatment from men, we don't need to do it to each other in a time of need. Blessings to you all.
Kudos to you, could not have
Kudos to you, could not have said it better myself.
I'd like to defend the last
I'd like to defend the last post - the one you are commenting on. Everyone's different and feels differently throughout the different stages of pregnancy, none of these feelings a wrong. I dont think the lady meant she uses the medical pill as a form of contraception, i got the impression she simply didn't feel an attachment to the foetus.
what happens if you take the
what happens if you take the first pill then change your mind? I have already taken the first one and understand that it stops the hormones but is it now too late?
if u took the first pill and
if u took the first pill and change your mind.... it's too late! and if the doctor tells u that it is fine to continue with the pregnancy after you took the first pill, please, check with another doctor. If you took the first pill.. you should be aware that the process of the abortion is already beginning to take place by blocking the embryo's growth. It completely stops.YOu must follow through the procedure (so u should really think about taking this pill) or else.. if u choose to keep your baby after taking the first pill you can cause serious*** damage to the baby.
I would like to know this
I would like to know this too, i took the 1st 1 today and i feel regret i dont want to continue is there any way i can keep my baby!
second part of the medication
I have a freind who has taken the first part of the abortion pill and does not want to go through with it now, she wants the baby,is the baby at risk?
Thank you
I would like to know this
I'm curious to know......How is your pregnancy going?
I just took the first pill on Tuesday. I'm supposed to take the next two today but I don't want to, I'd like to keep the pregnancy if it's still possible at this point.
Can someone please tell me if this is able to continue? Or if you have been in the same situation, please tell me what the outcome was?
I'm so upset and filled with regret, all I've been doing is crying the past couple of days.
PLEASE HELP!!!
Wow!!! It's taken me days to
Wow!!! It's taken me days to get to page 7 and I was desperatey looking for anyone on Tuesday who took the first pil and changed their mind, now I see that this is more common and that I wasn't the only one. I changed my mind but I called around and the general consensus was that the baby would be retarded or missing body parts...
I should have researched more. I should have read every story on this website thoroughly. It would have been more than worth it. I would have made a more informed decision instead of the impulsive one that I regret today. I lay in bed now very much in pain. The nurse practitioner has me on 800 mg of ibuprofen every four hours. I'm a healthnut and never took over the counter nor prescription meds before but i cannot tolerate this pain. I read the story of a woman named Jodi on here earlier, she took the one pill, changed her mind and kept her baby but she says the baby is now two years old and totally normal. I wasn't that brave. Her story had me on my knees in emotional agony. The physical pain was treacherous, it still is. I should have done the other procedure or kept the baby.
changing your mind
It concerns me that so many of you are not being well informed by your clinic prior to making such an important decision. It's vital you have all the information you need beforehand. I'm very sorry ladies but the abortion pill is not reversible and cannot be discontinued. If you're in the US then they should have made you sign a waiver that states if the medical abortion fails then you have to follow up with a traditional abortion. If you're outside the US they may not have the same protocol, so please read as much information as you can before you make up your mind. Once you take that pill there's no undoing it.
THIS IS CRUCIAL TO ANYONE WHO IS STILL TRYiNG TO MAKE UP HER MIND---
Once you take that first pill the abortion is in process, you can't change your mind. If there is any doubt about your decision, then don't take the first pill!
abortion pill
did you take the 2nd pill im 14 weeks pregnant was nearly 9 weeks felt the pill had no effect and decided to coninue with pregnancy so far so good had scan last week
Hi i took the first tablet on
Hi i took the first tablet on 27th may 2010 i should of gone for my second tablet on sat 29th may but never as i wish i hadnt taken the first one and wish to keep my baby could u let me know how ur pregnancy went????? please xx
how did your pregnacy turn
how did your pregnacy turn out after not taking the 2nd pill?
Advice please.
Im reading your comment, my daughter has taken the first pill and regrets it.
Are you saying you have done this and have been allowed to continue with your pregnancy? If so are the doctors saying there could be any problems with the baby? Also did you get any bleeding with the first tablet as my daughter has started to. please reply. x
To the comment on whether you
To the comment on whether you bleed on the first pill . I personally took the pill the first time and bled like crazy that was wen I was 9 weeks this time I was only 7 weeks and I didn't so I guess is how far
The website doesn't alert you
The website doesn't alert you if there is new mail in a thread you posted even though I always request it. I would have your daughter do an ultrasound. I had 2 for free... If money is an issue. I would go to the doctor and talk to him and please keep me posted. I find this fascinating because i changed my mind after I took the first pill in the clinic, I couldn't find anyone who took the first pill, didn't take the rest of the four pills and went along with the pregnancy. I found Jodi on here who said she did but I had 72 hours to tAke the 2nd set of pills and I took them 24 hours later as recommended by my nurse practitioner... It was too late
the abortion hour by hour
I found out i was pregnant on April 13th 2008.At this point my period was 2 weeks late and I knew something was up. There are no words to express the way I felt finding out that I was indeed pregnant and had a potential human being growing rapidly inside of me. Although, I have always been Pro choice for all, I never thought I would chose to abort. My decision was final by the next day for many reasons all of which include what was best for me and the mini me growing inside. I knew that I was not ready (finacially, emotionally, physically, or mentally) to be a mother. Motherhood requires a lot from a person and somtimes people just arent ready. I know im not and neither was my boyfriend who feared parenthood as much as I did. My appointment at planned parenthood was scheduled for the following monday April 21st. That is where I had a ultasound and found out I was 6 weeks and four days pregnant. I was well within the 9 week time limit and was therfor eligable for the abortion pill. I took the first step in the abortion process that day and swallowed a Mifepristone pill. This pill had minimal side effects and i felt normal the rest of the day. Tuesday morning at 12:30 I took the Misoprostol. By 1:00 they had completly dissolved and slight cramps began. At about 1:15 the cramps were rather intense and became unbearable. THankfully, this only lasted 30 minutes and by 1:45 the intense cramping had subsided. The rest of the day I had minor cramps that felt like mensturual cramps but werent too bad. I bleed pretty heavily that day with medium size blood clots. By 7:00 I had aborted all pregnancy tissue (which could clearly be seen) and was feeling better. It is now April 28th and the bleeding is finally beginning to lighten.All and All though I felt the medical abortion was a good alternative tot he surgical abortion which just didnt seem right for me. I felt the medical abortion was more natural and it has been easier for me to cope with the decision. I have my follow up appointment this coming up wednesday and if all goes well will be cleared completly. Phyically this pill wasnt too bad and emotionally the effect is not terrible. I am now kind of sad that I put myself in this situation but I do not regret my decision. I am happy this option was available for me.
tomorrow i am about to take
tomorrow i am about to take the second pills for the medical abortion...im kind of scared...because i dnt knw what to expect...i dnt knw how bad the pain is going to be..ive read some bad stories of this type of abortion..and how things can go so wrong..but we will see how things turn out
where could i get this pill???
i just found out im pregnant i dont want an abortion.. but i am interest in the abortion pill, but im not quiete sure where i could find it or locate it. pleaseeee.. help me!!
THE ABORTION PILL
YOU CAN CONTACT PLANNED PARENTHOOD,OR A FAMILY PLANNING AGENCY...
would like to get pill not ready for baby
will some one help me i am in trouble
you could find them in plan
you could find them in plan parenthood!!! or do the research ther is alot of clincs who give them in your area, depending how far along you are
please dont get an abortion
please dont get an abortion you will regret it. dont do it.
I have had a abortion
You will not regret it! Everyone is different. I had a abortion 13 years ago, it was a very good decision
Confused
I have an appointment on Wednesday at 11am to take the abortion pill, i hope i'm not too far along and i can take the abortion pill. I think i'm 5-7 weeks. I am just so scared because i have a 2 year old son and he is very active. And i've heard of a lot of horrible stories about this pill and even some deaths. I'm scared because i dont want anything to happen to me because i have to take care of my son. Is this pill really that bad? or should i go with the surgery instead, is that safer? And will i be able to care for my son after taking the first pill?
abortion pill
I HAVE DONE BOTH METHODS I HAD TWINS WHEN I TOOK THE PILLS I AM 40 YRS OLD I HAD LOTS OF CRAMPING THE DAY OF THE ABORTION LIKE VERY STRONG PEROID CRAMPS WORKED FINE. I WOULD RECOMMEND IT.
pill
hello...I've done both methods too. I hated the surgical method, it was horrible. I am reading stories on here and am dreading the pill.....can you offer any reassurance??
Don't be afraid
I took the pill about 10 days ago. I didn't have any noticeable effects from the mifepristone. But when I took the misoprostol on the Saturday, after...that was a different story. I had bad cramps, like those during labor. I bled lightly, then bled heavy on Monday. I passed alot of clots (large & small). I'm still bleeding a little...
I wanted to tell you not to be afraid, take care of yourself and make sure you have someone to help when you take the misoprostol. You will NOT feel like taking care of anyone. You also will not be able to lift anything heavy (you won't feel like it anyway). Don't worry, it'll be okay. I was really scared too. As for which one to chose. It's your preference. I'd do the pill again because it seemed more natural to me but if you want something where you will recover faster, do the surgical.
did you have to go to a
did you have to go to a doctor to get the pill? i want a different way!
I found out i was pregnant
I found out i was pregnant on december 27 of 2007. My first reaction was i almost passed out and got scared because im 20 and im going to start college. I went online and did a lot of research about abortions and which method will be good for me. I decided to do the pill method because it felt more private and i felt like i was in charge and i chose when to take it. My boyfriend and I made the decision together and made sure we were 100% positive specially me since im older than him. I made my appointment and when i did i got scared and nervous because inside i felt like i was about to the biggest mistake of my life but i had to think of it in a different way, i know i wasnt going to be able to give that baby the best and i know my family was not going to support me 100%. I went to the clinic and for some reason the atmosphere didnt feel that bad. The people at the clinic treated me well and made sure that i was positive with what i was going to do. I found out i was 6 weeks pregnant and that made me weak to my knees because i didnt think i was that far along so i cried a little. I took the first pill and the doctor told me i can insert the other pills vaginally 24 hrs later that way for new yrs eve my body wont feel that bad. The day i took the first pill i felt fine and i didnt bleed. I was able to go out and try to take my mind off the stress. I felt regret but it was too late to turn back. The next day at 10 am i inserted the other pills and in about 30 minutes i was bleeding intensely. I began to cramp about an hr later so i decided to take the pain killer. I bled a lot for about 4 hrs and afterwards i felt a little better. The cramping was not as bad as i thought they would be since my period cramps are a lot worst then what i felt that day. My new years day i was not excited about it since it finally hit me that i let go of something that could have been my child, a child that has both me and my boyfriend put together. I went home because i saw my nephews and seeing them since they are babies made me sad. My boyfriend went with me and he tried to be there for me emotially because it wasnt easy for me afterwards.I went to my check up 2 weeks later and i was cleared of my abortion and was told i was good to go and will be able to start fresh.I still bled for 8 days afterwards but then it stopped till i finally got my period a month later. I thought i was going to be able to handle the emotional part since i handled the physical part but i didnt. I felt sad for days specially since i felt like my boyfriend was not affected by it. Finally i sat down with my boyfriend and told him how i felt emotionally and told him i didnt know what to do anymore since i had so much guilt. Finally he spoke his emotions and we cried together and i guess for me that brought me a little closure with the situation. Ever since me and him have a greater communication and he treats me like a princess and reminds me everyday that im the best thing in his life that way i can be better. That made me feel 80% better so for me to finally feel ok i decided to write a poem for the unborn baby. I wrote what i felt and i felt like in peace once i did that. Its been a month now and me and my boyfriend made a promise that in a yr we'll move in together and will try to start our family. My only advice for girls who are going to do this is make sure you are not alone and have the support that you need. Physically anyone can beat the hard parts but the emotional part will always be with you. Support is everything and so is being loved. Having the right crowd around you will make it easier day by day. It may not be as smoothly as it was for me so fast but then again this is not the easiest thing to do at all.Get all the facts and do your research. In the end make sure its your choice and not anybody elses.
where is the clinic did u
where is the clinic did u get that pills??? i really nid it badly