I started the abortion process and I regret it. Can a fetus survive mifepristone??

[Kiki92]

I appreciate the absurdity of asking for kindness on the internet, but please be considerate and try not to judge me too harshly for what I'm about to say. I'm struggling.

I'm 6 weeks pregnant. I became redundant last year due to Covid, so I've been living off of my savings. Not ideal, but manageable as a interim as I'm now back at university doing a business degree. Regardless when I found myself pregnant a couple of weeks ago I was happy, (I already have a 3 year old son from a previous relationship and the thought of expanding my family really made me happy). The revelation caused my partner to instantly leave me, however. He virtually vanished into a puff of smoke. I've not heard from him since.

Since then I've been weighing up the pros and cons, and decided that abortion was my only reasonable option. It seemed like the rational choice. I would struggle to afford another child on my own, and doing it all on my own again seems pretty overwhelming. Not only that, but my family would be very unsupportive of me being a single mum to 2 children with 2 fathers. (Not an issue in my eyes, but I can imagine their comments).

So, I collected my pills on Tuesday. I was putting off the process. I talked myself into starting it yesterday. I took the first pill (the mifepristone), and I instantly broke down and realised it was a mistake. I tried to make myself sick, but I couldn't. The regret was instant and overwhelming. My initial qualms and panics seem futile.

I spoke to a 111 gyno last night who told me not to take the second batch and to hope that the first pill doesn't work. He said there's hope and I'm praying for a miracle. All I can do is sit and wait. I feel so bloody stupid, and I'm not asking for sympathy for obvious reasons.

Has anyone else been here though????

Don’t post shite from American forced birther websites and pass it off as a possibility.

The first pill blocks the hormone that stops the pregnancy hormone.

The best thing OP can do, is wait, speak to a GP who will probably tell her to either take the second lot of pills, or to wait longer - upon which she will either start bleeding as the body expels an unviable pregnancy, or will need surgical intervention if the pregnancy isn’t viable and it isn’t expelled, or the pregnancy will continue unhindered.

The first pill blocks the pregnancy hormone, rather.

I don't have any experience of this op. But just wanted to send some good wishes. What you're going through is awful. Hope it works out for you.

@EarringsandLipstick you posted an itself politically charged huff post article about abandoned medical trial (with an incredibly small sample size), which stopped after just 3 patients experienced an adverse outcome. That is not evidence. As an academic researcher researcher you should know that; and also know that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

Anyways, I agree not to derail the thread and leave it here.

Our advice to the OP is the same - to try again to speak to a qualified medical professional, as it seems that the advice she already received was at best unhelpful/ misunderstood, and at worst potentially bad advice.

(For what it’s worth I’m sorry my quick google led me to share material from a pro-life website. I am certainly not anti-abortion/ pro-life.)

I agree it's a minefield to attempt googling information from internet sources which may have political agendas.

You're receiving treatment from the NHS so I would advise looking at their website if you want more information right now.

I'll add that you've been through a tough time lately Op not least the very recent breakdown of your relationship. You made a considered decision based on your circumstances and after assessment and talking to professionals.. It's very common to experience a range of emotions during or after an abortion. It doesn't mean your initial choice was wrong.

Your decision to now continue with the pregnancy may not be the right decision for you and I think you need more counselling before proceeding or deciding what to do.

Most NHS abortion clinics provide a 24 hour helpline so you could try to find one online for your clinic.

I'm sorry you're struggling with this alone and hope you can get the support you need x

The NHS website says 'The clinic will give you the number of a 24-hour helpline to call if you're worried. If you cannot find the number, contact a GP or 111.'

Did the clinic fail to give you their number?

@Bizawit

I just found this resource online www.spuc.org.uk/Portals/0/ThemePluginPro/uploads/2020/10/2/Medical%20Abortion%20Reversal%20Booklet.pdf. It says you need to take progesterone to reverse the effects. You need it ASAP. You will need a prescription. I presume the GP is shut. Can you call 111 again and ask to speak to a dr to prescribe progesterone maybe?

It’s important to know that the leaflet you have linked to is produced by a US anti abortion organisation. If you contacted them, the treatment will not be on the NHS.

@Soontobe60 thanks. If you read the thread you will see this has already been pointed out. I’m sorry I shared a resource from an anti-abortion group. I vehemently appose such groups.

for you OP. Can you contact the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit at your local hospital?

@Kiki92. I’m sorry this is happening to you.

This thread is here if needed.xx

You need to see if the clinic will perform a scan or refer you to EPAU for a scan, then you can see if the pill has had any effect.

I think the general consensus here is that it's too late and I ought to continue with the process. (It's within the 48-hour window so I could). I'm waiting for a call back from 111 now. The numbers the clinic provided me with are only 9-5. The only emergency number was 999.

I don't think I've ever been so upset or disappointed with myself. I will never forgive myself for this. I honestly don't know how I'll move on.

I'm not a medical expert or know anything about this sort of thing but I'm sure I read once that it can be reversed after the first pill but needs rapid action and progesterone ASAP.

I'm not going to Google as Google is a minefield where medical information is concerned.

Be kind to yourself, we all take the decision we think is best depending on the information we have. There is no place for disappointment or self blame.

Get some professional medical advice, that's the most important thing now.

I will never forgive myself for this. I honestly don't know how I'll move on

You will move on and you have to forgive yourself, you did the right thing for you at that particular time. That's all anyone can do, good luck I hope you twice the help and support you need.

OP did you vomit ? Might you have vomited up some of the dose ?
I am sorry I have no advice on progesterone, other than that I know it is given to support pregnancy at times.
I wonder if you need to go to A and E.

Hope you're ok OP.

Hormonally things are up and down for you right now so it makes sense if you're feeling even more emotional on top of everything else. It will be ok and get better and you're allowed to forgive yourself whatever happens.

Kiki I agree with others, you made the decision based on sensible reasons, not just the impact on your life but that of your existing child, your university course, financial difficulties and a lack of family support. I personally think those reasons are justified and rational.

I aborted a pregnancy for similar reasons when I was younger. It was a painful choice and an abortion can feel traumatic but I've now made peace with it.

You can request further counselling via your clinic and I'd advise you to do so. Please be kind to yourself and try to have something to eat and rest if you can. You are not a bad person

So sorry OP. Hoping for the best for you.

@Kiki92 please don’t be hard on yourself and blame yourself. You made the best decisions you could in such difficult circumstances. You were trying to do what’s best and in my opinion you’ve been so brave!

Also please don’t continue with the process (if that’s not what you want), based on people’s opinions/ advice on this thread. Wait to speak to a doctor again and listen to what their advice is based on what is likely to be best for you: physically, emotionally etc. It sounds like this is an uncertain area of medicine (as with so many things pregnancy related!), and there is a lot of politics involved.

Wishing you all the best OP. The most important thing is to be kind to yourself ❤️❤️

I'm sorry you are going through this. I hope you have some support in real life. X

I've just spoken to a doctor. I've been advised not to take the remaining tablets and I've been booked in for a blood test and scan tomorrow morning to see if the baby survived.

The fact that I've not bled or had any cramping is a good sign. Also, the fact that I still have my pregnancy symptoms is good. Obviously, nothing is guaranteed until the tests, but there IS hope.

I used to work for an abortion provider. This came up fairly frequently. I always directed women to one of our nurses. It isn't black and white. Noone can tell you it will be ok but it's not correct to say it definitely won't be either

@Kiki92

I've just spoken to a doctor. I've been advised not to take the remaining tablets and I've been booked in for a blood test and scan tomorrow morning to see if the baby survived.

The fact that I've not bled or had any cramping is a good sign. Also, the fact that I still have my pregnancy symptoms is good. Obviously, nothing is guaranteed until the tests, but there IS hope.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I’ve got everything crossed for you OP.