QuestionQUESTION: First of all thank you for development of this site and the time and effort that goes into answering all the questions. I had an induced labor abortion using mifegyne induction at 20 weeks pregnant ( I did not know I was pregnant untill 18weeks as I didnt experience morning sickness or anything else. The procedure itself went well but instead of having the fetus, then passing the placenta as was outlined in the info booklet I recieved from the hospital, I passed the placenta with the fetus inside.My first question is- is this normal? What would cause this to occur? Would this be likely to happen in any future pregnancies? However these questions are not the ones that are keeping me up at night. My hospital offered the option to see the fetus after it had been cleaned up and I choose to do so as I felt it would be important for me for closure but it appeared to be periodiccally gasping for breath- its mouth moved as did its chest. Is this some
ANSWER: Hello, Stef,
The placenta doesn't hold the baby. He or she may have been in the amniotic sac, however. At that age, I would expect that this is possible. Occasionally, even a full term baby will be born with the amniotic sac intact. Also, you may very well be right, that the baby was gasping for breath. Once the umbilical cord is cut, the baby will try to breathe.
You didn't finish your question; it's possible there is more you wanted to say that is important. Feel free to finish your question.
In future pregnancies, if you carry to term, you are unlikely to see the baby inside the amniotic sac. Someone will remove it if you do, and the baby will be able to breathe.
As for this site, I didn't develop it, but you're welcome for my effort answering questions.
If you need to talk about your reaction to your experience, I will be here for you. Please take care.
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QUESTION: as I didnt finish my original question i will do so now . I wanted to know that if I gave birth to my fetus in its amniotic sac would this mean that it was still alive, despite the fact the medication I took orally I was told was to stop the fetus heartbeat? When i saw my baby it appeared to be gasping for breath. I wonder if that is a bodily reaction that happens after death or wheather the baby was still alive.
ANSWER: Hello, Stef,
The answer to your question about what the gasping for breath means is that yes, the baby was still alive. Movement doesn't happen after death. I am unaware of any medication that you can take orally that will stop the baby's heart, without also stopping your own. You didn't specify what medication you took orally, but like I said, I don't think such a medication exists. More likely, it was something to induce labor. Mifegyne contains mifepristone. The purpose of mifepristone is to cause the mother's production of progesterone to drop. Progesterone is necessary to sustain the pregnancy. It sustains the connection between mother and baby so that the baby gets oxygen and nourishment through the placenta. Without progesterone, the baby will asphyxiate, so to speak. However, babies start to produce their own progesterone by about 7 weeks from the last menstrual period. Once that happens, mifepristone will not be able to stop the progesterone, because it would only stop progesterone in the mother. If the baby is making progesterone, it would sustain the pregnancy, but mifepristone would not stop its production. Mifegyne is NOT intended to stop the baby's heart.
Some women would find the experience you had to be rather distressing. If you are one of them and need to talk about how you feel about all this, I am here for you. Take care.
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QUESTION: I was given one tablet mifegyne to take orally which i was told would stop fetus heartbeat, then returned to clinic within 48 hours and had 4 tablets of misoprostol inserted vaginally. I was told I would give birth to a dead fetus. Before undergoing the procedure i recieved couniling i was told fetus may appear to breath but this is a normal bodily thing that happens after death. I feel I may have been lied to and mislead perhaps because people thought it would be easier to cope with if i believed this.I have had to overcome many difficult things in my life but I am confident I can deal with this too but to do that I need to know the truth. I understand I am putting you in a difficult and uncomfortable position asking you to tell me what you believed really occured. I will be happy to provide you with any further infomation you need if you can help me.
AnswerHello, Stef,
You aren't putting me in an awkward position, so don't worry about that. Facts are facts. Mifegyne does not stop a baby's heartbeat. It asphyxiates and starves a baby only IF the baby isn't old enough to make progesterone. However, babies generally start to make their own progesterone at around 7 to 8 weeks (last menstrual period). Mifegyne only stops the mother's production of progesterone. Progesterone is needed so that the placenta provides food and oxygen to the baby. No dead bodies breathe. Your baby was still alive. Yes, they lied, and yes, they thought it would be easier to cope with if you believed what they told you. This is common practice in the abortion industry.
They also endangered your life. Giving misoprostol in the vagina can cause toxic shock syndrome. This is a massive infection that can kill a woman within hours. And it can also cause a woman's uterus to rupture.
The fact that you have had to deal with difficulties in your life may well not prepare you to deal with this one. This one is different. If you find yourself experiencing any of the following, get some counseling immediately: suicidal thoughts, carelessness with your life, abuse of alcohol or drugs, anorexia, bulimia, self-abuse such as cutting, sleep disturbances, such as nightmares or inability to sleep. Also, hallucinations such as hearing babies crying. There are organizations in New Zealand that offer counseling especially for this situation. I can try to get a list for you, or you can look in the phone book under "abortion alternatives". Don't go to a place that does abortions. Let me know if you are having these problems, and can't find an organization. You can also get counseling online here:
http://www.optionline.org/
I pray that you will be able to deal with this. You deserve better than what they did to you. Don't blame yourself for the lies they told you. I will also be here anytime you need to talk. Please know you CAN regain your emotional and spiritual equilibrium. It can be difficult and can take awhile, but I know lots of women who have done it. I will pray for you. Take care.
