Expert: Pat G - 4/7/2011

Question
Am writing from Nigeria,having noted the clarity & precision of your answers and the help you render.I had my LMP on 2/23/2011 later missed my period the following month.I did an Hcg test and found out i was pregnant.I was able to source for medicinal abortion with 150grams of Mifepristone and 600gramms of Misoprostol(Cytotec) on 3/20/211.I bled for six days after which i stopped spotting.Eight days later,i took another Hcg test and it stll read positive.I took another 600gramms of misoprostol on 4/3/2011 PO followed by another 400gramms the next day but didn;t bleed.My breasts feel swollen and i sense movement in my abdomen.Please,kindly advice me on the possible steps i should follow as am not in a position to raise a baby now. I admit that my decision is flawed but down here there is a lot of stigma over single parenthood.I and my boyfriend came to this decision together as it was a mistake that still haunts us,even as i write this,am in tears as the guilt is so overwhelming.Am earnestly looking forward to your reply.Right now,the gestation age is about 39 days.God bless you.Worried Girl from Nigeria

Answer
Hello, Worried,

Sorry for the delay. I had to get some rest. Thank you very much for your kind words about my answers.

It is to be expected that a pregnancy test a week after abortion would still read positive. However, you should not have taken any more pills (the pills are poisonous and shouldn't be taken in the first place). It is too early for you to feel movement, even if you are still pregnant. However, if you have underestimated how far along you are, by a month, perhaps, you may still be pregnant, and it is possible you would feel movement if you are exceptionally thin. (Sometimes a woman will have a period one time after pregnancy starts, but it usually doesn't mean much.) If this is the case, try not to worry because it won't have harmed your baby. If you are still pregnant, there is help available in many parts of the world. I used to have access to a list of organizations in Nigeria that will help. The list is not currently available, but I can get the information by emailing the site. Let me know if you would like this information. They can also help you with counseling, or you can get online counseling here:

http://www.optionline.org/

I am very sorry that you have made a decision you regret. I am fully aware of the problems with stigma. We women need to stand up and say we won't do this to avoid stigma. What is your religious belief? I am willing to stand by you and talk to you, to help you get past this and heal emotionally and spiritually. God is willing to forgive you. All you have to do is ask. I will pray for you. Please take care.