Expert: Diane Cheryl - 11/11/2010

Question
First of all thank you for development of this site and the time and effort that goes into answering all the questions. I had an induced labor abortion using mifegyne induction at 20 weeks pregnant ( I did not know I was pregnant untill 18weeks as I didnt experience morning sickness or anything else. The procedure itself went well but instead of having the fetus, then passing the placenta as was outlined in the info booklet I recieved from the hospital, I passed the placenta with the fetus inside.My first question is- is this normal? What would cause this to occur? Would this be likely to happen in any future pregnancies? However these questions are not the ones that are keeping me up at night. My hospital offered the option to see the fetus after it had been cleaned up and I choose to do so as I felt it would be important for me for closure but it appeared to be periodiccally gasping for breath- its mouth moved as did its chest. Is this some common physiological process (such as trapped air escaping the body) that occurs after death or was my fetus actually alive and struggling to breath? Would the fetus be likely to still be alive as i delivered it in her placenta? Please tell me the truth.

Answer
Hi Stef,

I personally have not heard of the fetus coming out in the placenta. So I really don't know how often this would happen.

I'm sorry but I would not be able to tell you about this situation because I am not a medical expert, just a volunteer. Do you have any religious beliefs to help you in your life? Do you have any emotional, psychological or spiritual problems in your life at this point?

Please email me at CHERYL51@aol.com so we can talk more. Please put ALLEXPERTS in the subject line of your email.

Sincerely,
Diane Cheryl