Expert: Doctor Early Options - 11/7/2009

Question
I have read some of your answers and was wondering if you could help me, i am from the uk (england)and am currently 6/7weeks i am booked in to have my first pill on monday followed by the second one 24/48 hrs after and as i have already have two children am prepared for the labour type cramps i am to expect. What i am worried about is how long these cramps will probably last and how heavy the bleeding will be. the main reason is before i found out i was pregnant i won a trip to take my children to disneyland - something which i would never be able to afford otherwise - and we are due to go on the friday. i cannot change the dates and really do not want to cancel. how heavy should the bleeding be then would it just be like a heavy period or worse????

Answer
Dear Melanie,
Thank you for your question about what to expect with the Abortion Pill.  Generally there should be no issue with your leaving for Disneyland 5 days after taking the Abortion Pill.  I would recommend that you take the second medication, misoprostol, 24 hours later. Cramping is usually limited to several hours after you take the second medication. By the next day, the cramping should be finished. Since you are so early at 6 or 7 weeks, the bleeding should not be heavy.  Sometimes there is heavier bleeding for the first hours after the misoprostol, but it should be more like a heavy period by the next day.  You will be able to wear tampons by the time you leave for your trip.  

There is more information on what to expect with the Abortion Pill on my website:
http://www.earlyabortionoptions.com

I hope this is helpful,
Doctor Joan
New York City