Expert: Pat G - 1/15/2012

Question
QUESTION: Hi Pat, please help me. I made a stupid decision and decided to have an abortion.I'm in South Africa, Cape Town.I didn't know what I was doing and the abortionist didn't tell me the risks of these pills. I was shocked that it is a dangerous drug.my boyfriend doesn't know that I tried to have an abortion.I was 2 and half months pregnant at that time.I had 3 pills inserted in my vagina and one orally.I think it was cytotec or mistropol.I went home n bled but it wasn't that much.I was shocked to go to an ultrasound and see the baby at 3 and a half months.I asked the abortionist and he said I shld complete the abortion. I don't want to kill my baby. I'm just worried that my baby will be deformed or ve mental probs.The ultrasound shows that the baby is fine and they suggested I can also go for a detailed one so that they can check the baby's brain.I have decided to keep the baby but I want to know what are the risks? I read in an earlier topic that at 2 and a half months the baby wld have developed cz he wld be producing his own protestrogen.so I have a chance of having a healthy baby. Is this true? I hope so cz I love my baby and I pray for one last chance so that I rectify what I did. I wish someone can help me and I ve prayed for forgiveness. I hope God saves my baby. My decision was hasty and silly.

ANSWER: Hello, Tanya,

It is true that at 2 1/2 months, your baby is making his own progesterone. He or she survived, and should not have been harmed by the pills. There may be other reasons why your baby may have problems, but it's not likely to be caused by taking the pills. On top of that, if all you took was Cytotec, it doesn't stop the progesterone to begin with. Only the first drug does that. Cytotec is supposed to cause labor and bleeding, but nothing more. Many women who tried to abort using just Cytotec do not succeed. These pills really only work reliably up to about 7 weeks, and even at that point, there is a failure rate. You would have been more like 11 weeks.

The abortionist may well be worried about liability problems, and he wouldn't mind making some more money by killing your baby now. Just blow him off. He can't be trusted. He's a quack in the first place, or he never would have given you the pills, especially without you knowing the risks and consenting to them.

God has already forgiven you because you asked Him. You are sincerely sorry. It would be good to find someone to talk to about your emotional and spiritual concerns now, and I will be here for you. I don't know where in Iceland you can get that kind of counseling, but you can get it online here:

http://www.optionline.org/

Try to take heart. I know it's hard. I'll be here for you. Please take care. I look forward to seeing a picture of your baby! You can come back here and leave one. :)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you very much Pat for the advise and encouragement. I am in South Africa, Cape town. I really hope that my baby will be ok. I know I had  made such a stupid decision but i know that baby needs a chance at life. Im still worried though but if there have been healthy babies born after those pills then i have faith that my baby will be one of them. I will go for the detailed scan and will let you know the outcome. Thank you and God bless

Answer
Hi, Tanya,

You're very welcome. Most women worry about the health of their unborn babies, because we can't see them. It goes with the territory. Sometimes babies are born with problems, and we do what we can, and these babies are a blessing anyway. They usually lead happy lives, even under the most adverse circumstances; they are often happier than we are. We all face that risk, but it is good to know that under your circumstances, your baby will most likely be healthy, and if not, it won't be your fault. I look forward to learning more about your scan. Whatever you do, don't let them take your baby from you. Not only will you rob yourself of the joy of seeing your baby, holding him or her, helping your baby to grow up against whatever odds, but these are exciting times because many new treatments and cures are being found. Unfortunately, the medical profession has tolerated doctors who do not share the basic values of medicine, that it is intended to heal and not harm. I will keep you in my prayers, and God bless you as well.