Medical Abortion

[mae2014]

Hey,

After much heartache and lots of conversations with my partner I decided to have a medical abortion

I took my first tablet last night around 8pm

My second tablets are due this evening,

I was just wondering, if you've had one before, would paracetamol be ok for the pain or will I need something stronger?
I have a hot water bottle,
Heavy period pads,

Anything else I need?

Thank you,

Sending lots of love to those going through this/been through it,
Its horrible :( xx

Hi. I just had mine over the weekend. I was absolutely terrified after reading a lot of the stories online, but it wasn’t half as bad as I thought it would be.

I was only 5 weeks 4 days when I took the first pill, so early days. I didn’t really get much pain but I did take a codeine tablet half an hour before the second lot. The bleeding was mainly when I went to the toilet and then clots would come out, but it was all manageable. Just not pleasant!

Bleeding was much like a heavy period and has just started to slow down now, 4 days later. Also cramps have died down too and I don’t need pain relief anymore.

Hope it goes well for you. The worst part for me was the fear of the unknown, not knowing how my body would react.
Xx

Thank you so much, that's what i'm worried about, 2 of my friends have had one and they were saying how horrific and painful it is and its really scared me,

Im about 6 weeks as of today,

Ill get hold of some codeine and take that beforehand too then,

Thank you, hope you're doing ok. Its horrible xx

I was about the same as you mae. Hand hold.

It wasn't the horror stories you read about. After the second batch things started working two hours after taking the tablets. Felt like stronger than average period pains. Totally managable.

There was no blood bath, and things were expelled as you went to the loo. You might have a loose stool, that's ok.

24 hours later cramping was pretty bad but manageable with painkillers. The last few days were actually heavier bleeding than during the process itself (mainly due to most of it coming out, painlessly, as I was sitting on the loo).

Now I am 4 days post, and the cramping has finished. There is some light bleeding but mentally I am much better. Each woman, however, is different.

It's not an easy decision to make, but if you're worried please post here and we are here for you to talk you through it and any worries you might have.

Thank you so much @TerrasaurusRex I needed to hear that, almost time to take it and I was psyching myself up.

Had a bit of blood already but haven’t taken the second batch yet? I assume this is just my body getting ready from the first? :(

Thank you, really hoping to have the same kindve experience, fingers crossed xxx

You’re gonna be fine Mae. You really are. I had some bleeding after the first pill too and it sort of surprised me. It started light and then became almost a normal period. Nurse said that is fine and to take the next lot still. I still managed to do it vaginally (read there are less side effects this way like sickness!)

I saw it as a sign things were working as planned and that was sort of reassuring in a weird way. Though it also made me quite emotional. I think when I saw blood it was like a wave of all these emotions suddenly. Grief, relief, sadness, shame... a good cry helped.

Take the next lot and then put on a good film. Fill a hot water bottle, take the pain killers and focus on getting through the next bit. It’s gonna be alright and you’re gonna get through it. Xx

@mae2014

It's not uncommon to have bleeding after the first pill (mifepristone).

The goal of the first pill is to block progesterone production. Progesterone is what keeps the foetus viable, it stops growth, and without it the uterine lining starts to soften and break down.

In most cases people do not bleed, but it is possible if it was already a weak pregnancy.

Studies show after mifepristone a miscarriage will occurred between 8 - 50% of the time within a fortnight, though these figures are not totally reliable due to ethical limits.

Regardless, bleeding at this stage is nothing to worry about.

Once you take the second pills (misoprostal) your uterus will contact as with a menstrual period and pass the softened uterine lining as well as the pregnancy.

Look after yourself, and remember it's ok to have lots of different emotions conflicting emotions.

You will be ok, and as my husband told me, it'll all work itself out in the end.

How are you feeling?

Thank you so so so much @Rach6384 @TerrasaurusRex I’m one hour down and only just able to pick up the phone,
The doctor told me to dissolve them in my mouth, one on each side of my cheeks between my gum and cheek,
The pain started within 20 minutes and was so bad :( it’s settled a little bit now but I’m scared as I threw up after half an hour? Will it still work?
I do recall the doctor saying something about it being ok as the tablets would be dissolved into my bloodstream but I’m still scared! I couldn’t keep it in as much as I tried!
I got the shakes, couldn’t feel my legs and felt really delirious, I hope it’s all normal! :(

Hoping the pain eases but thank god for hot water bottles!! Xxx

@mae2014. Thinking of you.
It really is individual. My experience was similar to what you are describing. Heavy very sore cramping with blood & also vomiting. I had some diarrhoea too. I just took up camp in the bathroom. I had a warm bath - was in and out of it. Emptying then refilling it. Paced around a bit. Crouched down with head between my knees when on the loo.

The whole thing took around 5 or so hours. I eventually could then get into bed. I put a bath towel down too - just Incase I flooded the pad. I didn’t though. I also had a hot water bottle to hand. I did fall asleep and felt much better come the morning.

It’s not a nice experience. But suppose it is all individual. Some won’t feel much more than period type pain.

Are you with someone?xx

@mae2014.
I hope all is ok (as it can be)

Take care.xx

Really feel for you, it’s such a difficult decision to make. I had an abortion when I was 19. Took one pill in hospital and then another one a day or 2 later in hospital.

I had the whole procedure done whilst at hospital due to difficult circumstances at home and it took a while for things to kick in for me because I was so reluctant to go to the toilet to ‘expel’ (excuse my wording).

I think all in all, I got to the hospital around 9am and left just after 8pm. The nurses could not have been more supportive.

Thinking of you x

Hey there, Mae, I’m 24 hours into the process - like you I was about 6 weeks pregnant. I found the worst pain was over in a couple of hours, I also threw up and was bent double! Now, a day later, it’s like a normal period and the pain is almost gone, it’s totally handleable anyway. Most of the clots passed when I was on the loo, I was shocked at the size! But nothing like that now, just a small flow. I felt very sad about the process taking the tablets, but now it’s done I’m even more convinced it was the right decision, my head feels clearer and like ‘me’again. Take care of yourself x

Thank you so so much, it’s crazy how the support of others you’ve never met brings such comfort!

I’m doing ok. The intense pain lasted about an hour, couldn’t move from the floor and was very close to passing out at one point :( but as soon as it passed the pain eased and now it just feels like a period, bleeding but lighter now thankfully,

Hot water bottle hasn’t left my side all day!

Had a moment this morning when I thought did I do the right thing.. but I guess that’s only normal xxx

Hey @mae2014. Regarding worrying if the tablets will work. If you're taking them buccally (letting them dissolve on your gums). They only need to make contact for half an hour to work so your doctor is correct and you took them as instructed.

Pain and vomiting can be exasperated by stress. But also each woman is different. And shaking and shivers can be a side effect 9f medication.

Having said that, there may also be a psychological tension you may need to come to terms with which might manielfest physically.

How are you feeling? I hope you feel less wobbly.

I’m feeling ok, feeling very attached and needy to my partner which feels a little odd and I don’t like it! But I guess it’s normal for what’s happened plus with my hormones everywhere and very little sleep I’m a bit all over the place but I’m hoping it will pass soon xxx

Hello ladies, I’m wondering if anyone could offer up some advice. I’m a currently going through the process of a medical abortion. Took my first tablet yesterday morning and inserted the final 4 tablets today at 10am. Heavy cramps kicked in around 25-30 minutes later and have eased slightly now I am using a hot water bottle. I keep getting the feeling of something coming out but when I go to the toilet there is nothing there and no bleeding. I know that it is still early within the process but I was just wondering how soon after the cramps did the bleeding start for everyone? I know it sounds awful to say but I can’t wait to see the blood just so I know the process is working. Thanks ladies and sorry if my post is slightly TMI, just have so much rushing through my head xx

@madleigh23

For me it stated 2 hours after taking the tablets. Apparently that is average. Hopefully, everything has started by now?

How are you getting on now?

I dissolved my second tablets in my gums and the process for me happened started working 20
Mins but I know that’s ridiculously early compared to some of the other stories I’ve read,
I think it’s different for everyone.

How are you feeling? Xxx

Thank you so much to you both for getting back to me. I had little bleeding and really strong cramps after the first 4 tablets so I decided to dissolve the final 2 in my mouth. I had some lunch and basically threw it all back up straight away. Bleeding has got heavier but I luckily do not suffer from heavy periods as it is, wonder if that can depend on the bleed for this process?! All in all I’ve passed about 3-4 medium jelly clots and pain is coming and going so I’m hoping I’m through the worst of it. Here comes the next 3 weeks waiting to do the pregnancy test.

Thank you again both, I really appreciate your responses xxxx

That sounds about right. Probably the other two tablets were unnecessary, and maybe upset your tummy. Hopefully it didn't last too long.

The jelly clots sound about right.

You should feel "less pregnant" in two days and your boobs should hurt considerably less in 5 days.

Some women like to take HCB (beta) hormone blood tests to control for pregnancy. You need one after termination, and one a few days after, and if the number is less it means that the action was a success.

I never took a blood test because it was quite obvious.

I doubt I'll need a pregnancy test either. But if you want quick results, you can pay for blood tests.

@Madleigh23 How are you feeling xxx

@mae2014 feeling much better today thank you, bleeding is still heavy and but cramps are manageable luckily. Felt a massive gush of emotion on Sunday and last night due to all of the hormones I’m guessing. How are you getting on? Xxx

Thank you so much for all of your help and advice, I really appreciate it!

Good im glad! Yeah id say that could be down to the hormones, a day or two after mine I couldnt stop crying, so i think its pretty normal, just need to ride it out remembering that you'll be okay.

Do you have good support?

I was given free counselling sessions from it and they reassured me that even if you feel sad it still doesn't mean you made the wrong decision, which helped me, so i hope it helps you too.

Keep riding it out, it will get easier. I've almost stopped bleeding and haven't got anymore cramps, still a little bloated but id say thats my body still adjusting, I know its different for everyone but i hope yours eases soon like mine did xxxx

Sorry to jump in but could I ask how long you left between the first set of pills and then the 2nd lot? It just says 1-2 days later but I didn't know what's best