QuestionQUESTION: Hi,(Before I explain I would like you to know that I didn't want to do this to begin with, I was convinced to eventually because of many points that were made along with other things) I had a medical abortion done on December 14, 2010. I was 6 weeks and 4 days. I took the 4 tables and started bleeding and cramping about an hour after. I passed large blood clots, and continued bleeding for about 3 1/2 weeks. A very personal matter came up the week of my scheduled check up so I did not go to it. I didn't feel pregnant so I decided not to schedule another one. About 3 weeks after the procedure I was still bleeding pretty heavy but not cramping. One day I had a sudden pain that came and felt like bad cramps but was spreading into my side it lasted for 3 hours. I took Pain killers they gave me but it didn't help. Today is January 21,2011 and I still haven't started my period. I have light blood when I wipe after using the bathroom and a positive pregnancy test, but i don't have any symptoms of pregnancy that I had prior to the procedure. Does this mean that the medical procedure failed? If so is there any way that I could keep the baby. Would it have health problems or deformities? What should I do?
Thank you greatly for your time and knowledge
~Scared and Confused~
ANSWER: Hello, Amanda,
You're welcome.
I'm sorry. A woman should never have to have an abortion she doesn't want. Women are especially vulnerable, and we owe it to them to support them, not throw them to the wolves. Abortion is dangerous. A woman deserves better. I will be here for you anytime you need to talk. You didn't say what country you are from, but there are counseling and medical help available in some countries.
You didn't say what kind of tablets you took. If you took only Cytotec, then still being pregnant is more likely.
At 6 weeks and 4 days, pill abortions often don't work. If you measured from the possible date of conception, I would say it is very likely it didn't work. If you measured from your last menstrual period, it is less likely, but still possible.
If you didn't have any increased bleeding when you had the sudden pain, I wouldn't be able to tell you what it was.
With a positive pregnancy test five weeks later, especially if it's a strong positive, I would tend to think you are still pregnant. Test again in a week, and it will either get stronger or weaker, and that should tell you something.
If you are still pregnant, then there is a chance that your baby is normal. The baby's body is well formed at six weeks after conception. You should go have an ultrasound at this point. No woman is guaranteed to have a perfect baby, and the odds are somewhat greater that the abortion did some damage, but you still have a chance. Nobody can tell you over the internet what is really going on with you; all we can do is tell you the probabilities.
Don't let anyone talk you into doing anything more. It is far too common for a doctor simply to tell a woman that she has to finish the abortion and there is no hope. There are too many cases where women have been told their babies have problems, who had normal babies. The other thing to be careful of is if the doctor does an ultrasound and says he can't find a heartbeat. It depends on how the baby is positioned. Just because a doctor can't find a heartbeat doesn't necessarily mean the heart isn't beating.
Find a decent doctor. Any doctor who thinks abortion is good medicine cannot be trusted. He does not have good medical judgment. Find a doctor who handles high risk pregnancies. Tell him you want to have your baby if at all possible, and ask him to work with you. If you tell me what country you are from, I can tell you whether you can find an organization in your area which can recommend a good doctor. Good luck! Please let me know what happens.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for your advice I live in Tx and I took the mifepristone and misoprostol. My calculation was from the day of conception i belive. The person who did my sonagram at the clinic told me how far along I was. However this would have to mean that I ovulated a week early. My last period was October 25th.A correction on the day of the procedure. I went into the clinic the 14th and had to rescedule. So I actually took the first half of the medican on Friday Dec. 16th and the second half dec. 17th.
I actually took a pregnancy test that says yes or no rather than the ones with the lines, so I will be sure to take those a week apart. Also, what about me not having any symptoms of pregnancy? If I am still pregnant, is this a bad thing?
Thanks again, and thanks for your understanding.
Amanda
AnswerHello, Amanda,
You're welcome.
It's possible to ovulate early, so this could make sense. However, sonograms aren't that reliable, so there's no telling how far along you really were. That said, it's possible that because the pills mess up a woman's hormones, she could still be pregnant and not experience the usual symptoms. If you are still pregnant, it means you didn't succeed in doing something you may regret later. Given that you didn't want an abortion in the first place, that's very likely.
Only time will tell what is really going on. If you find a decent doctor, that will help. There are organizations in Texas that can help you with that, and with counseling. You can find one near you by going to this web site:
http://www.optionline.org/
The link to the lists is on the right.
Good luck! Keep in touch and let me know what happens. And I'll be here for you any time you need to talk.
