Expert: Pat G - 7/22/2009

Question
I was about 7 weeks when I started experiencing extreme nausea and fatigue. I took a home pregnancy test confirming I was pregnant. I then sought out options to terminate the pregnancy. I went to a clinic where I was given an ultrasound and then administerted the first pill and told to insert the 4 remaining pills into my vagina in two days. I did as I was told and had heavy bleeding and some clotting. I then went to my follow up two weeks later and was told that the procedure had been successful. I was given a birth control sample and sent on my way.A little under Two weeks after that I started my period and it was heavier than normal with slight clotting and no cramping and lasted about 4-5 days. Since then I have continued to have breast tenderness and feel like my lower stomach is swollen. I took a pregnancy test last night and the answer was positive although the line was very faint, barely there. I have made an appt to see my OBGYN but how come I was told my abortion had been successful? Wouldnt the doctor have noticed a fetus in the ultrasound he performed during the follow up? Please answer as soon as you can. Thanks,
Ashley

Answer
Hi, Ashley,

Seven weeks is right on the edge of when the pills don't work at all. Inserting those pills in your vagina is not even considered acceptable anymore, because a woman can get toxic shock syndrome and die within hours. Whoever told you to do that was committing malpractice as far as I am concerned. The manufacturer says they're not even supposed to be used by a pregnant woman at all. That's because in addition to this, a woman can have contractions so severe they can rupture her uterus, and there is no way to control their strength. And a woman can hemorrhage and bleed to death. I can't believe how CALLOUS some people are toward women who comes to them!

If you went back to the same person who provided the pills, I urge you to get a second opinion. It's possible that you are still pregnant, but it isn't obvious how healthy your baby might or might not be.

If your lower stomach feels swollen, especially when you lie on the bed on your stomach, you are also possibly still pregnant. It depends partly on how thin you are. The thinner you are, the more likely you are to notice this.

Why were you told your abortion was successful? Doctors are afraid of litigious patients, so they'll do anything to avoid admitting they goofed. As for the ultrasound, at this point, it depends on where the baby is. The baby won't always show up.

Please see a different doctor and let me know what you find out. If they want to do a follow-up, it would undoubtedly be surgical. Make sure that whoever does this is fully aware of the condition of your baby before acting. I have personally experienced something similar to you, and at the time, my baby was very much alive. Also, there is the possibility you conceived again (if you had sex) and this could be a new baby. That happened to me, too. If you need to find a decent doctor, I recommend you find an organization that works with pregnant women. You can find one near you by going here:

http://pregnancycenters.org/

PLEASE take care of yourself and don't take any more chances. Abortion is dangerous, and can take your life or cause serious harm. I'll pray for you.