Almost 80 percent of all abortions take place in Third World, poverty stricken nations. But as we know, those abortions, because of a lack of training and bad facilities, can be very dangerous. According to the World Health Organization up to 70,000 women die each year from complications from these abortions.
Think about that – 70,000 women each year.
Think about that again.
But now there is some hope on the horizon. There is now a pill called misoprostol that is cheap and safe that can be used to induce abortions or, as it is being called, “medical abortions.” This pill was originally developed to prevent stomach ulcers. But now, thousands and thousands of women are learning that it can be used to terminate an unwanted pregnancy.
It is not a perfect solution. It is about 80-85 percent effective. But the pill is readily available across the world. Indeed, the use of this pill overseas is exploding. According to Marie Stopes International, nearly 70 percent of all abortions in Scotland are performed using misoprostol. It is predicted that the use of this pill will spread rapidly. Indeed, some women’s health groups are calling this a “revolution” in women’s health.
Let’s hope so….
I have used the misoprostol-only protocol and I live in the U.S. After doing careful research, I decided that this was an avenue I wanted to try since I’m educated on the topic. Much of the overseas literature that I read regarding misoprostol said that the pills were 94% effective on average, but only when inserted vaginally (not gum/cheek) and moistened with a drop of water.
The protocol worked, but there were flaws. I bled very heavily soon after taking the first dose (800mg vaginally) and continued through the second dose, which was taken 24 hours later (800mg vaginally).
The bleeding stopped about three days later, but my breasts still were tender and in my gut I felt that I might still be pregnant, as I bled heavily but only small clots emerged. (Of course, there was very heavy cramping as well.)
I took a third dose (again, 800mg vaginally) four days later. It was only then, about two hours later, that I expelled the gestational sac. I bled and cramped for about five days after that, off and on. Bleeding and cramping had mostly subsided within a week following the third dose.
My concern is that for some women, they may not notice the symptoms of continued pregnancy. Since misoprostol is teratogenic, it is important that the abortion MUST be complete to avoid having a severely deformed fetus (and for the woman’s health too, of course.)
All in all, though, this pill has the potential to revolutionize women’s health care. Women need to be informed, though, as to the dosages, what to look for afterward, and what to expect. It did work for me, and I am glad. Was very similar to a previous miscarriage.
Leeann: Thanks for sharing. Where did you get the pill? Did you go to a clinic?
I rather go into a medical office and have the procedure done and over with in a few hours. Who has the time to bleed heavily for 5 days while experiencing cramps that are probably worse than the regular “everyday” one.
Thanks, Maria. The vast majority of women feel the same as you do. They’d rather go in and “get it over with.” But some women, of course, are concerned about anyh kind of surgery. The pill is not for everyone. It’s just another good option.
Pat,
Funny you should ask. I actually received 2400 mg misoprostol (12 200mg tabs) after I got a surgical abortion earlier this year. They were given as part of the post-surgical protocol to assure that the uterus would empty properly. I bled for 5 days and had awful cramping in April (when I had to surgical procedure done) and decided against the use of the misoprostol for preventative reasons after researching it very carefully and realizing that many clinics don’t use it for an after-abortion care protocol anyway. That said, I am extremely knowledgeable when it comes to reproductive health and the medical field overall, but I wouldn’t recommend for people to not follow a doctor’s directions. I should make that clear. I knew the signs of infection/hemorrhage and was very aware of my situation.
Maria, just to let you know, I bled and had excruciating cramps after my surgical procedure as well (I was only 5 wks 2 days gestation), so bleeding and discomfort is common with both procedures.
I actually kept the misoprostol on hand in “case of emergency,” which is why I still had it in my possession. I decided to try it the second time I found out I was pregnant (I was on the Pill this time, too…. ugh) as a first option instead of heading to the clinic because there are so many loopholes to jump through. I just wanted this pregnancy over with. The pregnancy I terminated with misoprostol was approx. 6.5 – 7.5 weeks gestation.
If faced with another unplanned pregnancy, I’d certainly opt for misoprostol again. I’ve been through both procedures now and while this one was uncomfortable and I bled a bit more heavily than with the surgical procedure, it was certainly tolerable. It was extremely similar to having a natural miscarriage (I had a miscarriage in ’05 at 6.5 weeks, too).
In the U.S., misoprostol is only available by prescription. In other countries, it can be obtained OTC (for ulcers, although it is commonly used off-label). I would love to the the FDA pass misoprostol-only regimens as misoprostol is extremely inexpensive (about $1 a pill or less, on average). The ONLY difference between a misoprostol-only protocol and the commonly used mifepristone/methotrexate and misoprostol protocol is that the embryo is still alive at the time the uterus begins to contract. Taking mifepristone prevents the embryo from growing any further, but in general, the effectiveness of the misoprostol-only regimen (800 mg vaginally moistened with water and then the same again 24 hours later with an optional third dose if the first two are unsuccessful or you are not sure [I took three]) is only 3% less than the dual drug protocol (97 per cent versus 94 per cent).
To me, it is a no-brainer. It is effective, it is safe, it is inexpensive and it is readily available. When used properly, and when educated on the signs of a failed abortion/uterine infection, women will be able to safely abort early pregnancies. IMHO, this drug has the potential to be revolutionary.
Also, Pat, I should add that the 94 per cent effectiveness rating works only when the pills are moistened and inserted right up against the cervix. Simply moistening the pills increases their effectiveness by almost 10%, according to my research.
This is really interesting info, Leeann. thanks for sharing. If I may ask, are you a doctor/nurse? I used to represent doctors on Capitol Hill so I wonder if we might know each other.
Getting approval for Miso over the counter would be quite an undertaking. Even with a pro-choice pres, there would be a major war. Interestingly, I wonder how the abortion providers themselves would react in that it’s inexpensive cost could really affect their business.
Abby,Your children are in Heaven pynriag and waiting for you. God has given us the amazing sacrament of Confession, and when I confessed my abortion to my priest (heaving with sobs), he smiled and said, you’re here. The sin is forgiven. And then told me about Rachel’s Vineyard. For over a year I told myself I didn’t need to attend a retreat because I was getting stronger through my pro-life work. Well, the circumstances finally came together and I found myself in the middle of nowhere, Georgia, with a group of men and women who were also suffering from abortion. It was such a life-changing experience, and I honestly believe that the greater the sin, the greater the longing to come back to God and show our love for him. Not that I would wish the experience on anyone else, but I am so much closer to our Lord now than I ever was before. I know you’ll never forget those two children and you shouldn’t!! but you will surely be reunited with them in Heaven. God bless you and all three of your children! XO
ok. i am gonna try this again. i am speaking as the first psreon on this thread to have had an abortion. i will fill you in from my expereince. and hopefully it will help one girl. in louisiana you have to have a 24 hour pre abortion counciling session. which is stupid. but it is what it is. first off you go to the clinic where they take a urine sample to confirm you are pregnant. if you are there though, ya pretty much know. next they do a blood test to see if you are RH+ or RH-. which only means that if you are RH- you have to get a shot. which is an additional $50. next they take you into this room and do an ultrasound. you don’t have to look at it if you don’t want to. totally up to you. next you go speak to a counciler.
Eka: thanks for sharing but I would love to hear the rest of your story. How did it go? Were you pleased with the service provided by the clinic staff? How did you feel after the abortion?
Pat,
No, I’m not a doctor or nurse, but I do have a couple of years’ worth of nursing school under my belt. I changed paths to obtain a degree in journalism, which is where I ended up. I’m actually a writer. It just to happens reproductive health is something I’m very familiar with because it’s a personal passion and because I’ve volunteered with a variety of pro-choice organizations throughout the years.
I don’t think miso will ever be available OTC in the United States. However, I have recently read that some abortion clinics in California are using a miso-only regimen for some low-income women. I’ll see if I can dig up that article.
Leeann: Have you had a chance to learn more about Cal clinics offering miso? That would be very interesting if they are doing that…..
I have to thank you for this post. I have a history of bialpor disorder in my family and for the past couple of years have know, although undiagnosed, that I myself am suffering from this disorder.I have been trying a natural approach to dealing with it and am happy with the results. The main reason I have not been diagnosed is because I am afraid of losing the mania! It is nice that someone else understands that! I love everything about it. The energy, the optimism, feeling like you can accomplish anything, invincibility almost! Moving a hundred miles an hour!Thank you again for sharing your story!
Thank you for sharing! Very good.I hope to see you share more.
hi ms.pat i delayed already atleast 7 weeks,,what i need to do,,,?i think that pills is not available here in my country…(philippines)…but i really need move this coz i really need my work…
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