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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Comments
reply: HELP
Shawna,
I just went through this experience myself this past weekend. I'm not going to lie, the pain was pretty bad for a few hours but some things helped. I had stuff to keep myself busy (movies mostly), took plenty of time off work, and the people at Planned Parenthood gave me a prescription for Vicodin (this is standard procedure)as well as advice for what over-the-counter meds to take like Dramamine for nausea and Ibuprofen for the cramping. I felt very informed and knew sort of what to expect. After I took the misoprostol, within an hour I experienced heavy cramping which got worse during the process. However, those severe cramps (yes,it's worse than a period) only lasted for a short time and then tapered off as the day went on. By about 7 hours, the worst was over and I actually felt well enough to go to bed. During the process, what mostly helped was staying distracted, taking a few short walks, and YES! The Vicodin. Seriously, take all the medicine they say to take. I skimped on the Ibuprofen and wish I hadn't. It's been three days and the bleeding and cramping continues but really just feels like a normal period. Emotionally, I'm more ok than I thought I would be, and I believe it's because I was able to be a part of the process, take time to deal with it, and mostly because I didn't have to go through a surgical procedure in a doctor's office which felt barbaric and cold to me. It also really helped that my fiance was able to be with me, distract me, and support me - this is so important. Having someone you trust be with you can help a TON, both physically as they can assist with making you comfortable, getting medication for you, etc. and as emotional support. As far as cost, in my state the total cost from planned parenthood was $425. That includes an ultrasound to make sure you're under 8-9 weeks, the physical to make sure to fit the criteria, and all the medication. I believe this also covers the cost of the 2-week follow up but we'll see on that one. If I had to make the same choice, I would do it again. Hope this helps.
update after a week and a half
I took the first pill at the clinic on Tuesday, May 10th. I was so nervous after reading all these stories and having anxiety already, I almost could not bring myself to take the pills. I took the 600mg IBPROF and my pain killers an hour before I took the pills. The doctor instructed me to take it bucally (between the gums and mouth) for 30 minutes and then I could swallow it so if I threw up the medicine would still be in my system and I literally thought that I was going to get ready for the most painful experience later.
About an hour later, some pretty extreme cramps kicked in for 3 hours. I would suggest buying a heating pad before and make sure you take the pain killers. Being that I was 4 weeks pregnant, maybe my experience was a tad bit easier than everyone elses. The next day I felt better and everyday after that. Don't forget that your body is going through something really extreme and you will feel cramping in some areas. Make sure you take the antibiotics!
Honestly for me, the worst part was the emotional pain I suffered. I feel ashamed for letting this happen to me but now being a week and a half since the procedure I think I am slowly forgiving myself and understanding that I made the best decision for me. My anxietys so bad I had to go to the doctor because this slight back pain was causing me to think something was really wrong. I ended up getting two ultrasounds and they said everything is really normal and going as expected with a miscarriage. Today I am happy to report is the first day I have not bled and finally feel normal. I'm actually going to attempt to go to a party tonight to lift my spirits. Good Luck to All of You!
LADIES, DO NOT FREAK YOURSELF OUT LIKE I DID!
help
yesterday i took the pill they give you in the clince today i was suppose to take antibiotics but everytime i take them it only takes 30mins and i throw up is this normal? and im also bleeding before i have taken the other two pills is that normal? should i be worried?
It's normal some ppl have the
It's normal some ppl have the side effects from the first pill. You will most likely bleed for month and keep your antibiotics down for at least 20 minutes with orange juice, try you best not to vomit. You will absolutely get an infection if you don't take them.
antibiotics
what happens if you dont finish all the antibiotics? I just need three more to go but they are making my heart go so rapid that I dont want to finish my last three.
is it normal
yes bleeding b4 u take the pills @ home is normal though you should take the nausea pills and pain at once with orange juice to help it stay down u need to lay down
help
I took the pill yesterday at the clinic n today i was suppose to take antibiotics today but i can't keep them down and i already started bleeding and tomarrow i have to take the two pills. Should i be worried?? Is it normal??
Easier and lighter than most of my periods!
I caught my pregnancy very early about 2-3wks, so early my sonogram showed nothing so my doctors wanted me to wait a week and come back for another scan. They couldn't give me the pill just in case it wasn't showing cause it may have been ectopic (outside of the uterus). Of course I was instructed to go to the emergency room if any cramping or bleeding occured that week.
Anyway, nothing happened that week, I went back for my scan and sure enough a tiny little black dot was there. I was very early a little over 4 weeks. I had signed up for the pill the week prior so all I had to do was take the pill (mifeprex) at the clinic and since I have type negative blood also a shot in the buttocks.
So then they gave me 3 prescriptions, one was an antibiotic called Ampilcillin and I was instructed to begin this one immediately to go ahead and get that in my system. Tramadol for pain which I was told I could mix Ibuprofen with it if needed. And of course Misoprostol which was to be inserted into my vagina 24 hours later or so. A rite aide was right across the st from the clinic so I wasted no time getting my prescriptions a vitamin water and took my first antibiotic pill.
I felt fine all afternoon and night a lttle tiny cramping latelate and I know that if u get NSAID's and pain killers in your system B$ the pain really kicks in they work better, so I took my first prescribed pain killer and 2 ibuprofen.
The next day I prepared my entire house for me to be able to complete relax in asuper clean safe and peaceful enviornment. I got a stack of movies and my laptop plugged in! Candles lit and some inscense burning.
I inserted my misoprostol pills. I noticed I was already starting to bleed quite a bit, but felt no pain. I took some more pain killers just in case and ibuprofen. I didn't want to feel anything! About 4 hours in I'm almost positive the bulk of it was finished. I felt small amounts of cramping and took my pain k's and ibuprofen and antibiotics on the clock. I felt hardly any pain at all, I did throw up once after eating a sweet sandwich w jelly, but did not feel bad, it just happened suddenly and that was it. I actually felt very blissful and high and sleepy, but my boyfriend gave me some of his medical marijuana too, so that may have helped, (maybe we ahould get prescribed that!) I'm still bleeding a small amount now and it's been 21 hours. I feel no pain. The Tramadol can be addictive but I only have 20 pills and still have 12 left. Those pills may have helped me the most I'm not sure, but I definitely felt blissful and happy or hours even though I was bleeding.
Oh also in between using the restroom I used some foaming ant-bacterial soap from Bath & body works to clean the outside of my lower region, the Ph is not to be disturbed inside the vagina due to possible infection, also all my towels and sheets are clean, dishes and bathroom.
To eat I bought Vitamin water, black currant juice, Chicken and wild rice soup, regular white crackers (which have always helped me w nauseua...hangovers) And turkey sandwiches. I had a rainbow popsicle too...*
All in all I just wanna stop bleeding now, I feel no pain but still bleeding. I hate pads. I just want my life to go back to normal!* The relief I feel is so nice, Seriously my body complete flipped out and felt horrible when I was pregnant, it was worse then the abortion by far, my breast swelled up enormous and felt like there were sharp knifes inside of them, my stomach was bloated all the time, i couldn't stop eating and I got nauseous everyday. I quit my job and felt like I was going insane. I am either getting Mirena (IUD) or the new Essure procedure which is permanent sterilization. I have never wanted children since I was 12 yrs old and I'm 30 now and still have no interest in doing that process to my body nor taking care of children. I have no maternal instinct and have studied up on the subject very well.
I had an surgical abortion when I was 23 and it was quick, yet painful. I wasn't put under, just local anethesia and pain medicine. The pill was a cake walk in comparison. I will get back here later after the whole thing is complete and over.
Thanks for having this website.
Another website I have found where u can get the pills sent to your house and the donation is only $70 total (well plus the pills which are only around $20) is here...
This site can save u tons of money!!! I found it after I had already paid nearly $600 for my medical procedure!!! I don't know about how they go about the antibiotics or pain meds, but I recommend TRAMADOL, it was very nice.
Again thanks for having this website and goodluck to all the ladies experiencing this problem/pocedure, It will all work out in the end.
lOve & light!*
Jacquie
Just Wondering
I don't know if I am pregnant or not a week before my period I had unprotected sex he came in me but then I started. I cannot take BC or I definately would anyway I had unprotected sex a couple days ago and I think he did it again. If I am pregnant I want to look into the pills. What is the website for a $70 donation? These pills seem so expensive would insurance cover this at all. Idk if I could even have an abortion. I am just looking at all options just in case... Any replies would be much appreciated.
Pain, Sadness, and Hope
Dear Anna From A Month Ago,
You just found out you're pregnant. All you can do is scream and cry and your heart is absolutely sinking with guilt. You are a young girl, a second year student in college, with a new boyfriend and not a lot of financial or emotional security. You are deciding what to do about this situation when you stumble across this page full of reviews.
You read about the pill and are shocked with how bad some of them seem. You cannot fathom the amount of pain you will go through should you have this procedure and you do not want to risk the complications if something goes wrong. That said, you know you are not ready to have a child. You are a small girl, about 110 lbs and 5'6" and anemic to boot. You can barely support your own physical health what with your rigorous course load and you know you can't support a baby as well.
You talk it over with your peers, boyfriend and parents. The decision is made and you will have to accept it as you swallow the first pill in the Planned Parenthood office. When the doctors leave, you start sobbing. All you want is what's best for this unborn baby, and you know that this is what's best. You can feel it in your heart, but it doesn't make the emotional pain any less.
That was a Thursday. You go about life as usual for the rest of the day and prepare for a weekend of torture, if you are to judge from what you've read and heard. You won't remember the weekend. All you will remember are bursts of time when you'll wake up from your sedated slumber (a result of a moderate dose of an oxycodone-tylenol mix) absolutely crippled with pain. Your boyfriend won't be able to touch you or make you feel any better, but will have to wait it out with you as you moan and wait until four hours passes and you can take the next pain pill. Though every time you wake you will change your underwear and into a new pad, you will soak the sheets with blood. Your boyfriend will notice but won't want to rouse you from your sleep, as it is the only time you are at peace.
This will last for two days. If taken correctly, your nausea and antibiotic pills will do their jobs and you will be alright after those two days. On the third day, you will be bleeding almost the same amount as the past few days, but with much, much less pain. You will perhaps only have to take one tylox pain pill and will feel good enough to get up by the end of the day.
Today is Monday. The hardest part is over, or so you think. You are back in classes and ready to get back to being human again, when suddenly, you feel incredibly dizzy and have to go home because the room is spinning so quickly. You're not sure if it's a panic attack as a result of the undue amounts of stress you've just gone through, but you figure the best thing to do is just to go home and get some sleep. You get home and are ready to take a nap, however, you have to use the bathroom beforehand. You look down into your underwear and see a tiny mass, essentially a blood clot, atop the white pad. When you lift them up to look, you see that it looks like a bloated tadpole, and in the light there is a tiny, round indentation that looks like an eye socket. You are absolutely frozen as you realize that this is the aborted embryo, your child, in your hand. All the guilt that you had not been feeling as you started to recover rushes back into your chest and you absolutely dissolve.
Your friends will try to comfort you. Your boyfriend will be there to help you to dig the hole where you will bury it in a beautiful box you made. Your parents will share your tears as they too lament the passing of the entity. But no one will feel your pain. You are it's mother, it's home... or you were. A tiny little chunk of your heart, your soul, will always be with it, wherever it has gone. The tears you cry at night are for naught, because what has happened is past. You must pick your head up every day and move forward for the good of the little life that could have been.
...
This is my story. For all of you who will criticize this post, call it a fake, it is not. I had an abortion this past week, on May 5th-7th 2011, to be exact. I am a Christian, but a liberal one. I have always been on the fence about abortion but when I got pregnant with an ex-boyfriend's child, I knew I couldn't carry it, especially considering my lifestyle. I knew what I had to do, and I did it.
Every day I cry for what I truly believe was a person, with a soul. I have gone through a lot of pain, emotionally and physically, and I regret the poor decisions that lead me here. Never again will I have sex with someone without considering the consequences or using ample protection. I got pregnant because the condom broke and we didn't know that it happened. I now know that in the future, I will only be able to maintain peace of mind by using two methods or more.
For those of you about to go through this ordeal: please do not take it lightly. It is a decision that may very well change the rest of your life, like it has mine. That being said, I know that when I took the first pill that Thursday, I made the right decision. In my case, bringing a child into this world that has no definitive home, no real place, would have been incredibly irresponsible. For me, it was as bad a decision as having an abortion.
Make the right decision for you. Pray or meditate over it as long as it takes for you to have some sort of gut feeling as to what may be the best thing to do. Everyone is different. People will judge you regardless of your decision, and you will have to be stronger than you ever have been before. This is the result of engaging in adult activities- you will have to make adult decisions and learn to be incredibly resilient. I've grown up a lot faster than I ever wanted to. But at the end of the day, you will make the right choice, and you are not alone. Be strong, have hope, and make the right decision for you and your unborn child alone. <3
regret
I was seventeeen when I decided to take the abbortion pills, I'm eighteen now, about five months have passed and I really regret it. To start off I had the worst pain ever, I was crying in pain from about midnight to five in the morning. I was throwing up all the vicadines they gave me therefore I was in pain all morning. Now I have been pregnat again but the abbortion pill is still in effect, so its like the same process again with less cramps. This is something I regret
Of course it hurts but still
Of course it hurts but still nothing compared to childbirth. And no, the abortion pill is not still in effect, Idk who told you that but that is not true. Of all normal pregnancies about 1/3 ends in a miscarriage and that has nothing to do with a medical or surgicla abortion.
I would just like to thank
I would just like to thank all the women that posted untruthful stories about the abortion pill being so painful. I went in last Tuesday and took a dose of the Mifeprex, 24 hours later I was instructed to take 4 tablets bucally and let them dissolve for 30 mins, then swallow them. Because of all the horrible horror stories, I was expecting to literally be dying, but no. The bad cramps came within an hour and the next 24 hours was spent with me laying on a heating pad. I did not get sick, did get a little nauseaus but that was because of the antibiotics and the pain pills (i have a weak stomach.) Now it is Sunday and the bleeding is comparable to a period, with the occasional bad back cramps, but nothing described on here. If anyone wants to talk to me about it, feel free to leave your e-mail and I can go more into detail.
YOUR STORY WAS MOST SOOTHING.
YOUR STORY WAS MOST SOOTHING. I DO LIKE YOUR STORY. I AM GETTING THE PROCESS STARTED ON THE 5TH OF NEXT MONTH. I WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO U ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE. PLEASE EMAIL ME. THANK U
Pill
Could u, email me on a little more info I'm curious.
How far along were you?
How far along were you?
i want to know how to take pills...
hi i want the whole procedure and the extent of pain which happens coz my wife is pregnent and we dont want a baby right now.
i am having confusion about that how to take that pills coz i dont want to go to a doctor. . .
I just took the first pill.
I just took the first pill. Im 14, about 7 weeks pregnant. These people are scaring me.. I need some comforting advice or something. Help?
Reply...
You're only 14?! You poor thing. It is a pretty scary experience I'm not going to lie to you, but if you have someone there with you to help it won't be so bad. It might be painless and ok for you, ya really never know. But just keep breathing and know that it'll all be over in a matter of an hour or 2. Everyone's story is different, and it depends on your pain threshold and how far along you are. I'm sure you'll be ok, you're only young so do try and have someone there with you because it's a little traumatic and with all your hormones flyin all over the place ya could feel a little depressed and need some company.
I really hope you're ok and it all goes well for you, maybe all these scary stories will be good as you'll expect the worst and it mightn't be bad atal!
Good Luck x
Abortion pill
I am about to take this pill and all the comments I read scare me.but yours was more comforting. I'm really nervous about it. I have some questions if you get back in touch with me thank you.
whats your email? i would
whats your email? i would have no problem answering questions.
worried
I am worried about a day after pill i took on may 14th. I am wondering would it be safe for me to use the abortion pill on june 8th.
Mifepristone
You can safely use the abortion pill in June. It's the doctor though who decides what procedure is best.
I am scheduled to have an
I am scheduled to have an abortion this morning and I opted for the pill form. All I keep reading about is the PAIN and extreme bleeding. Honestly, I'm scared shitless!! I want this because no part of my life is ready but I'm scared of all these stories!! Is the cramping as painful as child birth? Or is it painful just like menstrual cramps? I was told I would be taking the pills orally but I kept reading about women inserting them vaginally? How exactly did yours work?
Im not sure which way you
Im not sure which way you decided to do it, but Planned parenthood told me that inserting them vaginally had more of a risk for infections... I dont know if there is any truth to that, but I took mine orally and it worked just fine!
I was the exact same way, I
I was the exact same way, I was expecting my stomach to fall out and that I had to take atleast a week off of work, but no, the only truly bad time was the first night i had to take it vaginally...the cramps hurt and I was shocked at the tissues and blood clots...sorry to get graphic...but the only thing that i can say is after a day or so it is just like a regular period and thats to say that I have horrible cramps when its that time of the month. I "scared" myself by reading all of the forums...but for those out there who know this is the right decision don't be afraid...think it over of course but don't worry yourself to death...Lord knows I did and though I feel horrible for what I did i'm a little relieved it wasn't horrible as many said it would be...
pill
it is almost a week since my horrible pregnacy scare. i took the 4 pills last week honestly i wish i did the surgical abortion instead. after an hour or two of taking the 4 pills i experience the most painfull gross thing ever i had disgusting things coming out of every hole except my ears! this really only lasts for about 5 hours but last time i went and got a surgical it was over and done with and i didnt have to do this at home or see anything. the cramping was horrible. i opted out of taking any opiats im sure if i took the perks it would have been less painfull 3 days though. if you do this you really need a week off from work or school to stay in bed. dont stand alot or move anything heavy afterwards. almost a week an a half now i feel alot better not as much bleeding almost like the end of a period. i feel like i have a second chance in life like i turned over a new leaf. even though its sad it was really the right thing to do. dont listen to all the jesus freaks. do what you know is best for your self and think what the future would be like. i know i cant barley support myself. i would not make a good mother. i am adopted and would never put a kid through what i went through. i dont want to hear any negative comments about what i did cause i really dont give a f@#$ what other people did i did what i though was right for me. i wanted to share this with any curious people dont be scared whatever option you choose you are not alone there are so many women out there worse off or in the same boat. so this is the last time i am visiting this forum thankyou for all the stories and nice comments.
how long does the heavy bleeding last
i'm 22 and 6 weeks pregnant. i took the 1st pill yesterday under supervision. i have to take my next 4 pills tomorrow. i'm really scared. i actually have exams starting day after. so i want to know how long the excessive cramps and bleeding will last approximately.
not as bad as I thought it would be!!!
Ok, so its day two, and I took the 4 tablets about 7 hours ago. Unlike alot of peoples experiences I actually did get mild cramping in day 1. it was very minimal, and a couple ibuprofen I had over the counter seemed to help that. I was super nervous to take the tablets. I was given ibuprofen 800s and tylenol with Coedine. I took one of the 800s about 20 minutes before I put the tablets in my cheek. I will be honest, after the tablets dissolved i followed it with one of my tylenol with coedines it wasnt even 20 minutes and I was already starting to get cramping like a painful period, but it wasnt anything too bad that my heatpad didnt help. I spent the next hour and a half watching movies in my bed. Since I was sipping water the whole time, I did have to pee. When I went the first time, i was bleeding but it wasnt anything more than like a heavy period. i got up another half hour or so later and the cramps were a little more severe, this time I was actually passing tissue. Another half hour when I got up, the pain, I would probably compare to a really bad period cramp, not one to drop you on your knees, but it was definitely enough to make me use my heatpad which I STRONGLY recommend. it made this so much easier. I did at one point get very light headed, and I threw up once, but it was quick and it was only one time. I read these stories on here the day I made my appointment and was completely and utterly terrified. I know all women are different but it wasnt so bad for me. I took another tylenol with coedine 4 hours after I took the first, and that is all I have taken so far, and I am fine. The cramps come and go but the heatpad is making it easier. the clots i am passing is nothing compared to a lemon or so they say. and I was worried about that because in my appointment, they confirmed I was already into my 7th week and I am only 120 pounds. So ladies dont worry, I was farther along than most of these girls posting which means I have more tissue to pass as well. I dont know anyone who has actually gone thru with this personally, so I cant say that I had a friend who could agree with me. The only thing I can recommend is HEATPAD, and take your painkillers as directed, I am taking just the tylenol with coedine one every 4 hours as directed. I havent even taken the ibuprofen again I am just gonna wait and use that for later in case I still have a little cramping. I dont expect the pain to increase, and i havent even filled up a whole pad yet. Most of the bleeding is happening when I sit on the toilet, which is also probably when the cramps are most severe cuz I dont have the heatpad on my belly. But also keep in mind I have been resting all day, so I have been laying down the whole time I am not sitting on the toilet. So dont let people convince you its horrible. The staff at pp will tell you about the fever, nausea, cramping, because they have to, like all medications peoples bodies react differently. Dont let these stories scare you, because at most the severe cramping only last a couple hours. I didnt get a fever, chills, and I only threw up once. I will post on here later if anything changes, but so far so good! I am sure the worst is over now since it has already been 7 hours. and ladies you are not alone, the place I went to has a dedicated day to do medical abortions, and there were several girls there going through the same thing as me. I dont regret my decision because I wasnt ready financially and emotionally. Just be sure that you really want to go through with it. Anyways, good luck ladies. Keep your heads up.
Ok, so it has been 5 days, I
Ok, so it has been 5 days, I am still bleeding quite a bit, a little more than you would see in a normal period. What is odd though is starting yesterday, I have gotten some pretty bad cramps which feels like period cramps but way more intense. Part of me is afraid that I might have an infection, but they gave me medication that I am taking twice daily to prevent that and drinking lots of water. So far it hasnt been bad enough for me to do anything about it, but hopefully its just my body trying to get back into swing, I am curious if it is normal for anyone to get almost worse pains after the tissue has passed? Now Im scared and afraid I was counting my chickens before they hatched.
well, i guess it was a fluke.
well, i guess it was a fluke. I just had really bad cramping for like 2 days. and I was fine, I feel great now though. Sorry if I scared anyone but I was just being honest with my experience.
I had the same problem. I had
I had the same problem. I had to go back in for an emergency visit due to that immense amount of pain I was in bc of the cramps and when they did the ultrasound they found that I had a blood clot that caused a blockage. If you are still having cramps you should definitely think about getting that checked out just to make sure you don't have the same problem I did.
Similar Experience
It was my Day 2 May 14. I took my four Misoprostol tablets at 11 a.m. and now, at 1 a.m. on the 15th, I have virtually no pain and only standard period bleeding.
My experience with side effects also wasn't as bad as some of the other women who posted here. About an hour after swallowing the rest of the dissolved tablets I had pretty painful cramping--so bad I could barely sit still and I had tears in my eyes--but it only lasted for 45 minutes. I got fairly lightheaded during the heavy cramping, but was not sick to my stomach and did not have fever or chills. I had cramping off and on for about six hours, but apart from those 45 minutes, nothing's been worse than a typical PMS day.
I took medicine for pain (tylenol with codeine and ibuprofen) and for nausea, which seemed to help immensely. I drank lots of water and tried to eat too. I was seven weeks and one day pregnant, and while I did bleed a lot and pass a fair amount of tissue, I didn't have any clots that were abnormally large. I tend to have a lot of clotting in my normal period, so maybe this part didn't seem as bad to me. My boyfriend stayed home with me all day, and got food, water, and blankets for me, so most of the day I was resting.
I'll also post if anything changes. I was scared to take the tablets too after reading some of these stories, but as long as you're in good health, you've thought about your decision, and you're good with keeping up with your pain medicine, you should be fine. Just make sure you stay aware and are ready to call for help is you need it. The women at my clinic were extremely nice and gave me all the phone numbers and information I needed.
Thanks
I have read several of the responses from other women about their side effect and feelings toward the pill, and I admit I was shooken and taken off guard by most of what they were experiencing. Though after reading yours I feel like you put a positive motivation in my heart and got me to focus on the facts not everyones body is the same and not everyone who takes the pill will get the results that they want and some take it better then they expected. I feel much more confident after reading your story and I'm glad that your results are going in your favor.
Thanks For the Pride :)
I'm starting to get really neverous
I have an appointment on Thursday to get the abortion pill. I was feeling fine and not neverous at all until I read some of these stories. I don't want any bad side-affects. I have a very high pain tolerance but I'm not too sure how I can handle major cramps, I my self have never had cramps during my period. I do not want to end up in the hospital. I'm hoping because I am only 19 I won't have a horrible experience.
My (not so bad) experience....
I am a mom but I was really scared not knowing what to expect using the medical abortion pill but it did help to hear all the different stories on here. I first want to say I received the pills at Planned Parenthood and they were the nicest people and made sure you left there with all your questions answered and them letting you know it works 98% of the time and to not be scared. I did not leave there without taking the first pill and they also gave out condoms, antibiotics, lortabs and birth control pills. I was disgusted with a couple of girls who were there that acted like this was just another check up and very surprised that there was about 20 other girls there along with me getting the same thing done that day. I took the first pill there about 11:30 and did not feel anything unusual but I swear after a couple hours after that I did not feel as pregnant anymore. I also took an antibiotic which was instructed. The next night at 9:00pm I took 2 lortabs and anti nausea medication so I wouldn't throw up the pills. 45 minutes later I inserted the 4 pills in my gums for 30 minutes, as instructed and within 10 minutes I started cramping. It was like mild contractions or cramps and got out of bed a couple times within 30 minutes to use the bathroom but all I saw was light blood. About 15 minutes later I got up from the bed and felt really lightheaded and dizzy, I felt almost like I was going to pass out, then all at once i threw everything up. I felt alot better but didn't know if that was expected and if the medicine would work but I called the next day and they said as long as you let them dissolve in your mouth for 30 minutes you're fine. I DID NOT SEE ALOT OF BLOOD AT ALL, only light blood during the whole process and NO BIG BLOOD CLOTS only a very small one, I expected to see large amounts of blood but I didn't! I felt very tired for the next 2 days and on the third day I passed a medium size blood clot, did not expect that but everyones body is different so you just have to go with it. About the 4th day I felt really good and almost back to normal but everyone has to get an appointment to see the doctor after 2 weeks. Every woman has their own choice to make in life and this one was very hard for me, but I know it was for the best.
I am horrified after reading
I am horrified after reading all these stories... I have an appointment next week for the procedure. I already am used to having horrible cramps during period so I hope all goes well. I give props for the bravery of people that have gone through with this. I know how hard of a decision it is to make. I myself am not emotionally or financially stable to be able to care for a baby. Also, around the time of conception, my boyfriend and I had broken up, and I had a alot of drinks one night and carelessly slept with one of my friends. Before I knew I was pregnant, I got back together with my boyfriend (who broke it off with me in the beginning, for anyone who wants to be judgemental) and made the discovery that I was pregnant. Im not sure really who the baby would belong to, but I dont think I could handle the fact of my boyfriend trying to raise a kid that wasnt his. Along with the fact that I am living paycheck to paycheck paying student loans, rent, car payments etc and working a half ass job that is just above the criteria of getting any medical aid. I know this is my own fault and lack of responsibility, but I want to be able to provide my baby with the things it needs when I am stable to do so. I will keep everyone posted on how it goes. All I can do now is cross my fingers and hope for the best.
This was almost my exact experience.
I had the same boyfriend experiences as you, except that I broke up with my ex for a new guy who had more respect for me and I thought it was the new boyfriend's.. but it was the ex's. Luckily the new boyfriend, Jake, has stayed with me and even offered to pay for some of the procedure.
It's all over now; I got the procedure the day before you posted this. It was a truly traumatic experience, mentally and physically, but I think I made the right choice in the long run- the true mistake was having irresponsible sex and getting pregnant, not the abortion itself.
I'd like to know what you decided and how you're doing. It'd be nice to have some support from people in a similar position because the rest of the world can be so judgmental and really doesn't understand. Hopefully whatever you decided, you're in a better place than you were when you were pregnant... I know I am. :)
I went through with it, and I
I went through with it, and I am glad I did, when I went and got the ultrasound it confirmed it was the other guys. Things went smoothly, the only thing that eats at me, is I never told my boyfriend the truth, and this whole time he thought that the baby was his, and that I decided to do it due to financial problems. Thats the worst part about all of this, is that I am covering a lie with a lie. :( But, I dont regret my choice. Had I gone thru with the pregnancy I would have ended up single cuz lord knows he would have broke it off with me. I do wonder what it would have been like if I went through with it. I never got to feel my baby move, or even see the ultrasound. I chose not to look at it. I am happy I can go on with my life, but I will have a part of sadness in my heart around December 26th, when the baby would have been due. I hope everything went ok with you. And good luck with your new life with a guy who treats you well. I am glad you decided to better yourself. Ive had my run in with a few douche bags in my past too. Which why I am 25 and still not completely settled lol.
How far along
PS - A doctor can perform an ultrasound to tell you exactly how far along you are & it might help you be more confident who the father is.
Ultrasound and subtracting
Ultrasound and subtracting the 2 pregnancy weeks they add, put me with being with the other guy (not my boyfriend)So I made the right choice. Due to this, I will NEVER have unprotected sex ever again. PP also got me started on the pill which they gave me the first months subscription for free... which was kinda nice :)
Please look for help
I clicked to have email notification for other posts, so if you want to contact me just post something and let me know. I mean I'm no professional but I found so many sites where assistance is offered to people who are keeping their babies. And surprisingly it's not all for those who want to give up for adoption either. There are a lot of Catholic charities that will actually take you in if you need it or help you financially. I wish so much that I had seen all those sites & actually took the time to look & read a week ago. I'd still have my little baby if I had. If I can help you I feel like it will help me - like I'd be doing it in memory of my little baby & maybe he'd be proud of me and know I regret what I did. Look up "Lumina" "sisters of life" and even just google "pregnancy assistance" But sisters of life & lumina have lines you can call and someone will help you immediately. They're so nice. They will definitely treat you like their own daughter. They know what it's like to face life without your baby and know that you're the one who ended it's little existence and you can just tell that they'd do anything to not let that heppen to you or another woman if it's in their power to help. So please definitely call them or look them up. I wish all the best for you, and wish I were as informed & insightful as you before I made the biggest mistak of my life.
Please Be careful!!
Listen, I just had an abortion. I'm in the same situation as you - paycheck to paycheck with bills that won't go on maternity leave with me if I had the baby. I wish I read a week ago what I've read since. Even though my abortion wasn't as horrific as some I've read about, I wish I could trade and take all the pain in the world to get my baby back. I cry every day. Maybe you won't. But on the chance that you will, please, please look into other options. There is help out there for whomen who think they might not want to go through with abortion. I'm talking financial help, emotional help. You'd be surprised at how many actually KIND people are out there. And not all of them judge. Please make sure you won't feel the way I do. Believe me, because I have to face the reality that there's a vacancy in my life and in my body where my little baby should be.
Other options
There are other options out there for you! You don't have to kill the unborn child. There are many couples who would love to give your child everything you are unable too right now! May god bless you in your decision. And may you not live to regret it.
so my boyfriend and i had
so my boyfriend and i had were having sex he took it out of the vagina before his charge came, then he grabbed a shirt and cleaned it and then insert it back inside my vagina i am scared that i might be pregnant simply because there could of been some left over sperm since he didnt double check he cleaned it properly its only been five days since the sex, but i am young and dont plan on going through if i am pregnant. i cant live with myself i am so anxious to know the truth. I wanna start doing the pill. does somebody think i am pregnant after i explained what happened?
A More Helpful Response
Since the only other reply right now is not very helpful, I thought I'd answer. Withdrawal is not a reliable form of contraception. The fact is, you may have become pregnant even before your boyfriend ejaculated, as there can be tiny amounts of sperm in any semen. If you are currently fertile, then you may have become pregnant, but there is no way to answer that question here. You can pick up a pregnancy test from the grocery store and find out. If you are not pregnant, do not continue to rely upon withdrawal! The pill is a very reliable form of birth control.
Reply
Did you enjoy the pleasure of being fucked. It's depend on the length of penis and depth of your vagina. If you can measure both then devide vagina depth by penis's. If the remainder is more than zero chances are higher for being pregnant :-)
every body responds differently to the medication
Firstly, i think its important that any woman considering an abortion knows that EVERY BODY IS DIFFERENT!! There is no telling how your body will respond. You should make an informed decision, and this forum is intended for people to share their own stories, not to pass judgement on others. That said, ill share my story...
I rushed into the decision because i was too scared to face the consequences of having a baby. I have now come to peace with my decision, but i i could turn back time i would keep my baby. I took the first pill at 2:30pm yesterday. I didnt appear to have any side-effects (although after researching today i discovered my sleepless night was a possible side-effect of mifepristone).
Today at 2:30 i put the 4 other tablets between my cheek and gum then swallowed the remainder after half an hour. For about half to an hour i felt bad cramping, a little worse than period pain, which was what i was told to expect. However for the next 2 to 3 hours i was in the most excruciating pain i have ever experienced! I couldnt lay in one spot, i was wriggling around in pain. I vomited, experienced chills and fever and nearly called an ambulance i was in so much pain. At this stage i hadnt bled much. I then sat on the toilet and finally passed some pregnancy tissue (along with plenty of diarrhoea!!). My cramps then returned to 'a little worse than period pain'. A few hours later i am bleeding and have cramping like what i initially expected.
However im extremely upset that i wasnt adequately warned of the pain i would go through. If i could change the past an keep my baby i would, however if i had to choose between medical and surgical, after what i went through i would choose surgery.
If you do opt for a medical abortion, make sure you have strong pain-killers 'just in case'.
pleeease help me
well im 17 and i was stupid and had sex unprotected sex witha boy i dont like or wanna be with n i think im about 8weeks like im way 2 young for a baby ima senior in high school and not ready for that responsibility but i dont know what to do like im sooooo scared to get an abortion but i need to hurry cause i dont want the baby to get any bigger and i know im stupid and dumb for the choices i made but i just cant have a baby please someone give me some good advice
Call them before you make any decisions
You need to speak to someone like face to face or on the phone before you make any decision or else you might regret it. Call a pregnancy hotline or something and make sure you're ABSOLUTELY SURE about your decision befor you commit - no matter what that decision is. And remember that you can't take back the abortion or change your mind once you do it. There is help and there are options and nothing in this world can force a decision on yuo that you are not comfortable with - don't let anything make you feeel forced one way or another. Please.
From someone who will live with her regrets until she dies.
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