Expert: Pat G - 3/10/2010

Question
can you play a sport the same day as a medical abortion?

Answer
Hello, taylor,

I would definitely not advise it. In fact, a medical abortion could kill you and prevent you from ever playing a sport again. But a medical abortion is no trivial matter. They give a woman pills to take one day, and then a couple of days later, they give a second set of pills. These cause bleeding and sometimes hemorrhage. The possibility of hemorrhage means that a woman can't do anything strenuous until the bleeding pretty much stops, and it can go on for weeks. I have had hemorrhages myself. It's not something to play around with. These pills can also cause a woman's uterus to rupture. Depending on how the second set of pills is taken, they can cause an infection that can be fatal within hours. When a woman has a medical abortion, they send her home. If she has a complication, she's on her own. The second set of pills is given against the express instructions of the manufacturer, which instructs that a pregnant woman should never take them. If a doctor gives these pills to a pregnant woman, in my opinion, he has committed malpractice. These are ulcer medications, and have nothing to do with abortion. They can just cause a lot of problems if a woman is pregnant.

Let me know why you are seeking to have an abortion. Perhaps I can help you find some better answers. Also, let me know how far along you are. These pills don't always work. That can lead to other problems.

There are some sports you can play while pregnant. I played judo, for instance. They weren't allowed to throw me, but I could do everything else, including practicing falling. The last time I played judo was the same week I gave birth. In fact, my sister had been visiting. She has never studied judo, but she wanted to horse around with me during randori. She kicked me on the leg and I got a nasty bruise. It was fun watching the nurse's face when she asked me where I got it and I told her. I also swam a mile twice a week during that pregnancy.

Please let me know what sport you play.

Please don't do this. Stay safe.