Expert: Pat G - 9/10/2009

Question
I am about 3-4 weeks pregnant.I took cytotec pills 3 vaginally and 1 orally.But no bleeding.I took again the next day 3 pills orally n 2 pills vaginally.After 7 hours.I was bleeding with very little blood clots but the bleeding stop the next day.Brown discharge with little blood only when i pee.Blood clot was very little.Is the abortion failed?

Answer
Hello, Honey,

You asked if the abortion failed. Probably. Cytotec often doesn't cause abortion when taken by itself, anyway. Are you 3-4 weeks from your last menstrual period, or from the probable conception date? If the latter, it was probably too late for the pills to work anyway. The manufacturer of Cytotec says a pregnant woman should NEVER take Cytotec. So whoever gave you the pills committed malpractice. Taking Cytotec vaginally can cause toxic shock syndrome, and that kills within hours. Taking it by any method can result in bleeding to death or rupture of the uterus. It sounds like you were lucky all it did was cause some bleeding with blood clots.

Don't try to have an abortion. Surgical abortions are very dangerous, and could also kill you. They could also cause you to develop paralysis or inability to speak. They could cause you to develop a nasty infection, including the possibility of pelvic inflammatory disease (which might make you sterile), sexually transmitted diseases, or HIV. The people who provide those abortions are unethical and careless. It could cause you to develop breast cancer, with a 25% risk of being killed by it, and it could occur in your 40's or earlier. It could also cause you to develop scarring, which could lead to tubal pregnancy or placenta previa. Both are a risk to your life, and tubal pregnancy will result in the death of your baby, perhaps a baby you very much want. It could cause your cervix to be weakened, with lots of micro tears, so that you would be unable to carry a baby to term, and this could mean miscarriage or very early birth. Very early birth is a leading cause of cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. It could cause prolonged labor in a future birth, and that plus the risk of placenta previa might make a Caesarian section necessary. Caesarian section is the leading cause of death in childbirth.

It's not worth it, and you deserve better.

You can get help with whatever problems you face. This includes financial, medical, and help with family and friends, and the father of the child. There are organizations that will help. To find one near you, go here:

http://www.pregnancycenters.org/

Please take care of yourself and stay safe. Let me know how you do, and feel free to ask more questions.