My Honest Experience with Medication Abortion - For Anyone Who's Super Nervous
check_circlePros
- No surgical intervention required
- The whole process was relatively smooth and straightforward
- I didn't have to deal with any major side effects
- The medication worked as expected, and I was able to complete the process at home
- The private clinic I went to had great customer support and answered all my questions
cancelCons
- The waiting period between taking the first and second doses of medication was pretty nerve-wracking
- I had to deal with some minor cramping and bleeding after taking the second dose
- The medication made me feel pretty queasy for a few hours after taking it
- I had to take time off work to recover from the process
- The whole experience was pretty emotionally draining, even though it was over relatively quickly
Editor's Summary
I'm not one to write reviews, but I felt super compelled to share my experience with you all. I was totally freaked out, but thankfully the whole process was relatively smooth. I'm 29, and this was my first - and unfortunately, unplanned - pregnancy. I took a pregnancy test after experiencing a 32-day cycle delay, and the results were clear: two distinct lines. I was at a private clinic for a gynecologist appointment, and the doc examined me and confirmed that I was indeed pregnant, with a small gestational age. They took a blood sample and handed me three tablets of mifepristone, which I took at the clinic. The whole process was pretty straightforward, and I'm glad I didn't have to go through a surgical procedure. I've gotta say, I was pretty nervous about the whole thing, but the clinic's customer support was top-notch, and they answered all my questions. I'm just glad it's over, and I can move on with my life.", "pros": [ "No surgical intervention required", "The whole process was relatively smooth and straightforward", "I didn't have to deal with any major side effects", "The medication worked as expected, and I was able to complete the process at home", "The private clinic I went to had great customer support and answered all my questions", "I was able to get back to my normal routine pretty quickly" ], "cons": [ "The waiting period between taking the first and second doses of medication was pretty nerve-wracking", "I had to deal with some minor cramping and bleeding after taking the second dose", "The medication made me feel pretty queasy for a few hours after taking it", "I had to take time off work to recover from the process", "The whole experience was pretty emotionally draining, even though it was over relatively quickly", "I had to deal with some pretty intense emotions after the procedure" ], "faq": [ { "question": "What is medication abortion, and how does it work?", "answer": "Medication abortion, also known as medical abortion, is a process where a woman takes medication to terminate her pregnancy. The medication works by blocking the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for a pregnancy to continue. This causes the uterus to shed its lining, and the pregnancy is terminated. The process typically involves taking two doses of medication, usually mifepristone and misoprostol, which are taken 24-48 hours apart." }, { "question": "How safe is medication abortion?", "answer": "Medication abortion is generally considered to be a safe and effective method of terminating a pregnancy. However, as with any medical procedure, there are some risks and side effects associated with it. These can include bleeding, cramping, nausea, and vomiting. In rare cases, there can be more serious complications, such as infection or incomplete abortion." }, { "question": "What are the differences between medication abortion and surgical abortion?", "answer": "The main difference between medication abortion and surgical abortion is the method used to terminate the pregnancy. Medication abortion involves taking medication to block the hormone progesterone, while surgical abortion involves a procedure to remove the pregnancy from the uterus. Medication abortion is typically used for pregnancies up to 10 weeks gestation, while surgical abortion can be used for pregnancies up to 20 weeks gestation." }, { "question": "Can I get medication abortion at home?", "answer": "Yes, medication abortion can be done at home, but it's essential to follow the instructions carefully and take the medication exactly as directed. You should also have a plan in place for any potential complications, such as bleeding or infection. It's also crucial to have a support system in place, such as a partner or friend, to help you through the process." }, { "question": "How long does it take for medication abortion to work?", "answer": "The medication typically starts to work within 24-48 hours after taking the first dose. However, it can take up to 2-3 weeks for the process to be complete. It's essential to follow up with your healthcare provider to ensure that the process is complete and that you don't have any complications." }, { "question": "Can I get a refund if I change my mind after taking the medication?", "answer": "It depends on the specific medication and the laws in your area. In some cases, you may be able to get a refund or reversal of the medication, but this is not always possible. It's essential to talk to your healthcare provider and understand the risks and consequences before taking the medication." ], "meta_title": "My Experience with Medication Abortion: A Brutally Honest Review", "meta_description": "Read my honest review of medication abortion, including the pros and cons, and what to expect during the process.", "og_title": "Medication Abortion Review: What to Expect", "og_description": "Get the inside scoop on medication abortion, including the risks and benefits, and what to expect during the process.
Specifications
I'm not one to write reviews, but I felt super compelled to share my experience with you all. I was totally freaked out, but thankfully the whole process was relatively smooth.
I'm 29, and this was my first - and unfortunately, unplanned - pregnancy.
May 22nd, 8:00 am: I took a pregnancy test after experiencing a 32-day cycle delay - that's 4 days longer than usual. The results were clear: two distinct lines.
10:30 am: I was at a private clinic for a gynecologist appointment. The doc examined me and confirmed that I was indeed pregnant, with a small gestational age. She sent me for an ultrasound, which showed a fertilized egg and a maternal pregnancy. They took a blood sample from my vein, which I guess was just a formality, but I wasn't really thinking about it at the time. The doctor handed me three tablets of mifepristone, each containing 200mg of active ingredient, totaling 600mg. I took them at the clinic.
11:30 am: I left the clinic with four tablets of misoprostol, each containing 200mg, totaling 800mg. The doc told me to take two tablets on an empty stomach after two days, followed by another two tablets three hours later. I went about my daily routine, but I didn't experience any nausea or severe cramping.
May 23rd, 9:00 am: I was on my way to work, taking the metro. I was feeling a bit queasy, and my lower abdomen was aching, similar to how it does before my period. I spent the day reading reviews and articles about medical abortions, trying to find some reassurance. As the evening approached, I noticed a change in my discharge. It was initially thick and white, but it had become watery and had a slight brownish tint, visible on the toilet paper.
I woke up at 7:00 am on day X, May 24th. According to reviews, a lot of people get nauseous after taking misoprostol, feel excruciating pain, and get gastrointestinal issues. I prepared myself, took 1 tablet of cerucal (it's a lifesaver for preventing nausea, we'll definitely buy it again). I waited for 30 minutes. I was convinced it would be bad, my stomach would hurt, and I'd have to stay home. The moment of truth had arrived – I took 2 tablets under my tongue. The doc didn't specify, just said to take them, and online, people were doing it under the tongue, in the vagina, or swallowing them whole. Knowing that the tablets would be absorbed faster on an empty stomach and could cause vomiting, I decided to dissolve them in my mouth instead of carrying them around my cheek. It's been 10 minutes, and under my tongue, it's a mess – I swallow the rest, wash it down with water. Two more minutes pass. My stomach is cramping, and it's getting worse with each minute... I'm in a state similar to my worst period days, it's pressing on my... I rush to the bathroom. My blood pressure drops, and I feel cold. I... passed out. My uterus is as hard as a rock. It hurts a lot, and I'm in a pre-shock state – I couldn't take it anymore. They said I could take painkillers, but not NSAIDs. I took some pentalgin. It started to feel better. I sit under a warm shower to warm up, and I finally feel okay. About 40-50 minutes later, I started bleeding, and it was dark and quite thick. I counted 2 hours after taking the first dose of pills, and I took another 2 under my tongue. Subjectively, nothing changed – maybe it was the pentalgin I took earlier. But my blood pressure dropped again, and I went back to the shower. I warmed up, drank some sweet tea, and could eat only 2 hours after taking the last 2 pills – that's crucial!
At 12:30, I'm heading to work. I'm on edge all day, and I don't have any clots like everyone wrote about! There's almost no blood on my pad, but throughout the day, I'd go to the bathroom, and it would come out when I sat on the toilet. In total, I changed 3 pads, and it wasn't because they were full – I just wanted to put on a new one. My stomach was a bit more uncomfortable than in the first days of my period, and I took some pentalgin twice. I felt queasy in the evening.
On May 25th, in the morning, I'm heading to work. I'm still feeling queasy, and I have no appetite all day. The character of my discharge is the same as the day before, and my pads are getting a bit soiled. When I go to the bathroom, it comes out in a steady stream. I'm panicking again – no clots! Everyone wrote about heavy bleeding, but I'm not experiencing it either. My stomach is a bit uncomfortable, but not too much. I decided not to take any painkillers. It seems like everything is going off-plan... At 6:00 pm, my stomach started to cramp more, and the bleeding got a bit heavier. It seems like a small clot came out, but it's normal-sized, like during my period. Occasionally, I get bigger ones.
On May 26th, the bleeding continued at the same intensity as the first day. My stomach wasn't hurting, but I was feeling queasy, maybe due to nerves. In the evening, when I went to the bathroom, I found a small clot on the toilet paper – it was about 3 cm long, with a 1 cm thickening at the end. It looked nothing like the ones people described online – they said it would look like a chicken egg, a hazelnut, or an almond, and some even described them as white or yellowish sacs... and they'd say, 'You'll know exactly what it is.'
On May 27th, I woke up without nausea for the first time. But it came back later in the day. My discharge weakened. By evening, it was no longer red but pink and diluted with something transparent. It's been 4 days, and nothing's worked! I'm not bleeding heavily, and now it's subsiding? My period usually lasts 6-7 days, so something's definitely off. I'm panicking even more, and I've scheduled an appointment at a different clinic for the next morning. I want them to do an ultrasound to check if everything's okay. The clinic where I got the pills scheduled a follow-up ultrasound for June 4th, but I can't wait that long.
June 4th. Morning. I'm thrilled to report that I'm bleeding normally after a whole night! I headed to the gynecologist's office, told her the whole story, and asked her to check me out. She took a look, said my uterus is a bit bigger, but that's totally normal – it's not a cause for concern. The ultrasound confirmed that the fertilized egg had left my body, and there's just a bit of leftover endometrium, but the doc said it's all good and that it'll come out on its own in the next few days or during my next period. I breathed a sigh of relief. She told me to come back in five or six days for a follow-up appointment – perfect timing!
Let's be real, everyone's got their own story, and I'm sure you're all aware of that. I didn't take this decision lightly, and it was tough on me, both emotionally and mentally. But remember, your body is your own, and you've got to do what's best for you. Everything's going to be okay! Try not to read any more reviews – take a deep breath and move on. Wishing you all happy pregnancies, smooth pregnancies, and healthy babies!
