Expert: Doctor Early Options - 5/9/2009

Question
Hello my name is Linda. I had problems with this pregnancy really early (light bleeding). I had gone to my OB doctor, he measured me at 5 weeks and 2 days, the heartbeat was only 84 beats per minute. (I was going to terminate it anyway). i went to the abortion clinic 3 weeks later, they done an ultrasound again, but they only measured me at 6 weeks (i was supposed to be around 8-9 weeks), and they detected no heartbeat (i guess it was a miss abortion or miscarriage). well anyway here is my question... I took the 1st pill at the clinic on may 5, 2009 and took the 2nd set of pills at home on may 7, 2009. I only had aching pains in the lower part of my stomach and my bleeding was heavier, the next day nothing, bleeding got lighter and no pain, I don't think i passed nothing (i also had no clots)...whats going on? please help.

Answer
Dear Linda,
The only way to tell if the pregnancy is passed is to go in for a check up and have them evaluate you, usually by ultrasound.  It's hard to tell for sure, but it sounds to me that the abortion pill did not work completely. It can be normal to not completely pass the pregnancy in the first 24 hours, The bleeding may come on and off in the next few weeks.  Since the pregnancy was not viable, you have the option of just waiting for the bleeding to happen, or of taking the second set of pills again.  Either way, there is nothing to be afraid of - your body would have naturally taken care of this on its own time.  The pills you are taking are just helping your body to do what it was going to do anyway - so nothing to worry about if it takes a little longer than expected.
I hope this is helpful,
Doctor Joan
EarlyAbortionOptions.com
New York City