Post-Abortion Bleeding & Ultrasound: Understanding the Situation

Question
I took the abortion pill and was sure I passed out the fetus (I saw a clot and some brownish soft material along the center). I passed it out while urinating. 7 days passed and I was still bleeding(it was mostly brown...like old blood), it wasn't much to begin with but it was enough to make me worry. I went to my doctor on the 7th day and she did an ultrasound, she said the whole pregnancy was intact and I had to do a D&C. I don't understand. Was I wrong? Was it not the fetus? Or was I pregnant with twins...is that possible?

Answer
Dear confused,
It is highly unlikely that you saw a fetus.  At the stage of pregnancy when you take the abortion pill, there is no fetus visible to the naked eye.  Under nine weeks, the early pregnancy consists of a gestational sac that looks like a fluffy cotton-like substance.  It sounds like you identified decidua - the thick pregnancy lining that comes out with the gestational sac.  You may want to learn more about stages of early pregnacy on my website: earlyabortion.com.  Many women have misconceptions of early pregnancy tissue given the misinformation that is on the internet.  
I hope this is helpful,
Doctor Joan