QuestionDear Pat G,
I took an progesterone based(Levonorgestrel IP) emergency contraceptive pill just after 1 week of pregnancy. At that time I did not know that I was pregnant nor was mentally ready for it. I have three question: 1. What are the chances of abnormality on my current pregnancy due to emergency contraceptive pill 2. What are the chances of future pregnancy if I abort this child 3. If i plan for an abortion what will be a better option - medical or abortion pill?
Please answer as soon as possible.
Thanking You,
Soumya
AnswerHello, Soumya,
The likelihood is that Levonorgestrel will not affect your pregnancy. If it does, it will cause miscarriage. It's almost certainly It too early in pregnancy for it to cause a non-fatal birth defect. It is, however, a dangerous drug, and there could be problems for you otherwise, so it is important for you to see a doctor as soon as possible to discuss these. Because it changes a woman's hormones, you would be more susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases, so you should be tested for that as well.
Medical and abortion pill are the same treatment. Perhaps you meant to ask about surgical abortion. Every form of abortion is very dangerous and can kill you. If anyone here tells you otherwise, he is either ignorant or lying. It is common for those who support abortion or perform them not to look at the long term consequences. But there have been many studies done, and abortion is not recommended for any woman who hasn't completed her family, because of the consequences to future pregnancies.
Medical or abortion pill abortions use a medication that the manufacturer says a pregnant woman should NEVER take. This is because it can kill a woman very rapidly, in one of several ways. For one thing, it can cause contractions so strong they will rupture the uterus. For another, it can cause uncontrolled bleeding. Women are bleeding to death after pill abortions in India. I get questions from women in India who are experiencing life-threatening bleeding. The third is that a local pharmaceutical company is recommending a method of use that can cause toxic shock syndrome. This is because Clostridium sordellii, which normally doesn't cause a problem, can cause an infection so massive that it kills a woman before it can even be diagnosed, and the woman's body doesn't fight back. Pill abortions also make a woman much more susceptible to Triple Negative Breast Cancer, which kills 1/4 of its victims. This can happen while a woman is still young, such as in her 30's, and there are records of women in their 20's getting this form of breast cancer. Studies on the long term effects of pill abortions are scanty, and no one really knows what effect it will have on future children. Nor does anyone know whether or not it will prevent a woman from conceiving in the future.
Surgical abortions have a very large history of possible complications, side effects, and long term consequences. It also can make a woman prone to breast cancer. It can cause immediate death, from hemorrhage or reaction to anesthetic. It can cause sterility. If a woman hemorrhages, she may have to have her uterus removed, which will also prevent her from ever having a child. Surgical abortion can also cause severe birth defects in future children. Injury leading to this possibility is almost inevitable. They HAVE to injure a woman to do an abortion in the first place, because our bodies are designed to protect our children. Among the birth defects it can cause are cerebral palsy, mental retardation, autism, epilepsy, blindness, and deafness. It can cause scarring that can lead to tubal pregnancy (which requires emergency surgery to save the mother's life, and results in the death of the baby), placenta previa (in which the placenta attaches too close to the cervix, which can result in hemorrhage during birth, which can kill both mother and child, and may require a Caesarian section), and prolonged labor (which may also make a Caesarian necessary). Surgical abortion can also cause paralysis or coma. It can cause damage to other internal organs, perforation of the uterus, massive infection, and other problems.
In medicine, it is unethical for a doctor to do an abortion, because of the harm it can cause. Anybody who tells you otherwise is acting unethically, and anyone who supplies you with the means for abortion or does an abortion on a woman is acting unethically. Medical ethics requires that a doctor "first do no harm". Abortion is VERY, VERY harmful, and damages the vast majority of women who have one. It can also cause serious emotional consequences, which can be so severe that it can lead to a woman's death, from suicide or other causes, during the first year after abortion.
Please don't even consider it. You deserve better.
From what you are saying, you feel that having a baby right now would pose problems. But there are organizations that provide help to pregnant women who are experiencing adverse circumstances. There are several in major cities in India, though there are currently none in northern India that we are aware of. However, the ones in India that may not be near you may still be able to provide a contact where you can get help where you are. To find an organization in India, please go to this web site:
http://heartbeatservices.org/index.php/connections/worldwide-directory
Choose "India" from the country list. Unless you live in Bangalore, Chennai, Tamilnadu, New Delhi or Udumalpet, don't specify a city, but get the entire list for the country.
I will also be available to talk to you about what other options you might have. You may write to me any time, regardless of what you do. Please take care of yourself and stay safe. Don't take any chances. You are too precious. Good luck with everything.
And you're welcome.
