Medical abortion

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I had a medical abortion at 6+4 earlier this year. I was given a pregnancy test to do a week after taking the abortion pills, which was negative. The last 4/5 days I have been feeling twitches and a fluttering feeling, that remind me of early movements. I have 3dc so know this feeling. I've counted back and I would be about 17 weeks by now. I've had 3 periods since but something is telling me I am still pregnant. Is this possible even though the test they gave me was negative? I have ordered tests online to get delivered tomorrow but I'm dreading the thought of it incase it is positive.

I had a medical abortion at home yesterday at around 6 weeks. I just wanted to share my experience as a few things happened which caused me to panic but it is all ok, so hopefully I can alleviate some fears if this happens to anyone else. So I took the first tablet mifisterone on Monday and by Tuesday night I had started to spot with streaky brown blood. On Wednesday I inserted 4 misoprostol (800mg) as instructed. I lay down and cramping started within 2 hours. I had already taken paracetamol and ibuprofen to prepare for this. I would describe this pain as moderate/severe heavy period cramping. Around 4/5 hours later I started to lightly bleed, but only when I was on the toilet. 3 of the misoprostol tablets fell out. I panicked as I was only lightly bleeding at this point; it was less than a period and I thought that this would stop the process. I phoned the clinic and they advised me that as long as I had laid down for 40 minutes then the medication would have worked, even if they had fallen out later. I already had two spare misoprostol in my package so I took another 400mg by dissolving in my mouth. All in all I had cramping for 12/13 hours yesterday with light bleeding (only on the toilet) and passed no real clots. I was worried that the sac had not passed or was still attached, or that I had missed it somehow....anyway today I have woken up with minimal cramping, I just feel as though I am on my period..... I have now passed what I believe was the sac, a small round grey blob with was smaller than a marble. Still no major clots. I just wanted to alleviate any fears that you may have, you may not bleed much and you may not have clots. You can cramp for hours and you may not even pass the sac on the same day, but I feel much better now that I know that it has worked. Good luck to anyone else going through this. It is a difficult enough decision to make in the first place without the worry that something is going horribly wrong when you start the process. But it is ok and a hot water bottle will be your best friend. I still feel extremely exhausted with this all and I think I need a few more days to recover.

Thank you for this post, Manga. I just took my first tablet today and will be taking the rest of the tablets on Saturday. I'm quite nervous about what will happen so your post came at just the right time. I've been prescribed codeine if I need it.

I hope you are feeling okay and get some rest x

Well it's a week later and the bleeding has changed...it is now a lot heavier, more like a normal period along with normal period cramps. This isn't great as you are advised to only use sanitary pads at this time. I can't stop eating and have zero energy. Guess it's still the pregnancy hormones in my system. Good luck to anyone else going through this x

Relived to find a post like this. I have my telephone consultation on the 9th and I’m so nervous. I think it’s the unknown and you do read a lot of horror stories. I have 2 DC so am worried and want it to be a fairly quick process so I can get back to being normal fun mum. I would appreciate any more experiences just to prepare myself. I’m starting to think maybe the build up of this all is worse than the actual deed itself. Such a horrible situation to be in, glad to have found a support network x

Not sure if anyone still checks this thread as my above message had no response but I feel like I need to vent anyway. I managed to get a cancellation consultation slot a week earlier than originally booked so my pills arrive by post tomorrow. Feeling very anxious and nervous about what’s ahead over the next few days. Any advice or words of wisdom would definitely be appreciated

Hey @FJ97

Hope you're doing ok,

I was in your position a month ago, not sure if you saw the thread?

You will be absolutely fine I promise and the process is so quick.

I took my pills in the evening so that I was able to work the following day,

The first pill I got no side effects, its the second one you take where there's pain but its just like a really heavy period with just quite painful cramps, this lasted me for a few hours and then i slept the rest off through the night

Make sure you have a hot water bottle, it was my absolute life saver.

Do you have much support?

You've absolutely got this, just be sure on your decision. Were right here xxxxx

Hiya, hope it’s okay to join here and share my experience

I’m 6+4 today. I took the mifepristone yesterday at about 12pm and then inserted the 4 misoprostol at the same time today. So far I’ve had some fairly light bleeding and cramps but nothing more than a usual period. Worrying that things are taking so long to progress as the booklet says you should expel the pregnancy within 2-4 hours after taking the 4 misoprostol? Will update later this evening if anything else has happened. Hoping more than anything that this works and I don’t need any more procedures

Good luck to everyone else here going through the same thing, thinking of you all x

Thanks for responding @mae2014, I’m hoping the experience will go as you’ve described, I think it’s the not knowing which is one of the worst parts! Yes I’m very lucky and have a lot of support but I feel like it can still be so lonely. Myself and my partner have a DD who’s 5 years old and a DS who’s 8 months, hence the decision, the timings just didn’t plan well. We have a two bedroom property so with both children sharing already we’d just be on top of each other. Just annoyed at myself more than anything for being so careless and now having to go through this situation! But trying to think practically and stay positive to get through it.

Hot water bottle is ready to go, going to take my first tablet tomorrow and second lot Friday evening so the kids can stay with my parents whilst we deal with this at home

@wavesandwaves It’s so hard to tell what the right thing is when you’re doing it yourself at home but if you’re worried definitely call the helpline that’s on the leaflet!! Thinking of you and hope you don’t suffer too much this evening. Let us know how it goes xx

So far not much happening. Some very light cramps and bleeding but certainly no clots or anything that would resemble the foetus/sac. Have had another scour over the BPAS website which says it can take a couple of days for some women, just hoping that I will have a similar experience to @Manga1004 and I’ll have some progress tomorrow. Going to phone them in the morning if nothing else has happened as I’m worried it hasn’t worked!

@FJ97 how are you feeling? I agree that it feels lonely, my partner has been amazing but it’s not his body so I know he can’t empathise with me very much. Hugs to you xx

Oh no, you poor thing. The anticipation must be killing you, definitely chase in the morning if no progress but hopefully it’s not too much longer and you can close this chapter 🤞🏻

Ah thanks for asking, I have really mixed feelings. On one hand I know this is the right decision for our family and circumstances but on the other hand I just feel so gutted and a bit guilty that I’m having to do this. We’re certain on the decision but it doesn’t make it any easier really. Totally agree about the partner situation, I feel like as women we have an instant attachment as soon as we see those two positive pregnancy lines on a test so it’s hard for them to relate. Hope you’re doing okay xx

Hi guys, have just inserted my first 4 tablets. Feeling nervous, hoping the build up is worse than the event. I had hyperemesis in both my pregnancies and have already been feeling nauseous with this one and I’m only 5+6 weeks, so am worried I’m going to be non stop vomiting 🤮. Hoping it’ll be over by the end of the night so I can get a good nights sleep. Wish me luck

Took my first tablet at about 1.40. Got to insert the 4 tomorrow at the same time. Husband will take daughter out tomo afternoon then my parents are having her Monday. I have to work Tuesday. I'm super scared about the pain. Have been reading some experiences online, and scaring myself about the pain, the length of time it takes etc. I know I'm rubbish with pain. Husband supportive but they don't get it.

Hey @NeedAdviceMum, don’t panic!
I took my first tablet on Thursday at 10am and then inserted the first 4 tablets at 4pm the next day (had to work it around childcare). Had really light cramping for 2 hours which I spent lying down the whole time, all of a sudden I moved and felt a little gush so went to the loo where bleeding and clots started but cramping was still very mild. This continued for 3/4 hours where I then dissolved the final two tabs in my gums as was already bleeding heavily. I was really worried about being sick but I wasn’t, made sure to eat something before dissolving the tablets. About 30 mins later I had quite intense cramps similar to weak/mild labour contractions that you can breathe through, had that for about 20 mins and then I felt a pop inside and just new it was the pregnancy about to pass. I was right and it did, was the size of a 2p coin but as soon as it had passed the cramping lightened a lot, a few minutes after I rushed to the toilet as felt another gush to which I then passed the placenta, for some reason I forgot that that happened 🤦🏼‍♀️ No pain, I was just confused for a minute as to why such a big clot had come out. The whole process took me from 4pm - 9pm and then it was over. I read so many horror stories in the build up to the actual event that made me so anxious but the hardest part is starting so you’ve already smashed it just by taking the first tablet. My advice would be to just lie down the whole time, get a hot water bottle, take ibruprofen before you insert the 4 tablets and if you’re really worried about the pain take some of the codeine provided before you take the last 2 tabs.

I’ve been a little tender currently 2 days post termination, but I’ve still been able to manage two children (with help from my partner too, but haven’t felt incapable). Working shouldn’t be an issue just be kind to yourself and try to sit down and not exert yourself if you can!

You’ll be absolutely fine, everyone is different but for most women it’s over relatively quickly and I know I was so relieved that it wasn’t the horror show that I was expecting. I was 5+6 weeks just for context.

Good luck and try to stay calm, as long as you’re sure this is the right decision for you and your family you’ll be absolutely fine xx

Thank you. I'm a few hours away from putting the 4 tablets up. I feel super anxious and sick. Not helping that we had plans today now having to create lies etc as to what's happening. I just want to jump forward a week and for all this to be over. I'm so scared of the pain. Trying to appear normal for my daughter but almost impossible

Hope you’re doing ok. It’s the unknown which is most daunting I find. Make sure you eat, less likely to be sick. My fingers are crossed for you for this afternoon. Let us know how it goes. Thinking of you xx

Thank you. Used the 4 tablets about 2 hours and 30 mins ago. Some light cramping but am dosed up on pain killers, but nothing else yet. The waiting like you say and the unknown is so hard x