Expert: Doctor Early Options - 1/22/2009

Question
Hi! I am new to this website but it seems as if you have given wonderful advice so I thought I would share my stoy and ask a question. I was 7 week pregnant and due to other issues in my life had to make the difficult decision to have an abortion. When I wen in to talk to my doctor about to different options she had highly recommended a medical abortion as opposed to a surgical one. I have had one other surgical abortion 7 years ago and I due to the pain did not want to do that method again. I asked about the side effects of this pill and my doctor assured me it was akin to having strong cramps! I took the second pill yesterday at 11am to start the abortion process and starting cramping immediatley! Let me tell you they really did NOT prepare me for how much pain you go through! No one should have to go through that much pain and still live! For 4 hours I endured more pain tahn I have ever been in in my life! Although I had severe contractions for 4 hours I didn't start bleeding until the 2nd hour and even then it wasnt that heavy. I started bleeding very heavily by the 4th and it hasnt gotten any lighter. I havent had too much clotting but this heav bleeding really concerns me. I've been going through almost 2 pads an hour (not soaked through and through though). How long does this heavy bleeding last? And for goodness sakes why would a doctor recommend something that for one thing hurts THAT bad and the bleeding last 5 times longer?! ( Sorry for that last one, just venting a little bit I guess.) Also, though thank goodness the cramping is over I still hurt so much that I can barely get out of bed unassisted. Is this normal? Thank you so much for your time.

Answer
Dear Danielle,
I am sorry to hear of your terrible experience.  It was irresponsible of the doctor to not prepare you for the possibility of excruciating pain during a medical abortion.  I have been providing the abortion pill for over a decade, and your experience does not surprise me.  I see this kind of severe pain and heavy bleeding in at least 1/10 abortion pill experiences. Luckily, the majority of women who take RU486 still have a positive experience, but it is completely unpredictable.  You certainly should have been prepared and have been given the proper pain medication. This is why I now stongly advocate for the Aspiration Procedure, which unfortunately you have probably never heard of, and was never offered to you.  It's too late now, but perhaps you still want to learn about it on my websites: privatechoices.com; earlyabortionoptions.com.  

The heavy bleeding should stop within 24 hours.  At that point it should be more like a period, and come and go.  Clots are expected and normal.  If you are still bleeding this heavy tomorrow, you should call the doctor that prescribed the pill.  
I hope things get better from here, and that this was helpful,
Doctor Joan
earlyabortionoptions.com
New York City