I had a medical abortion about six months ago...

By anonymous on 12/09/2008
Hello, I just read a story about a painful medical abortion that I think was in response to someone else's story about the same thing, and it really mad me feel like I too need to share my experience.

I had a medical abortion about six months ago. It involved taking a pill at the doctor's office, and then two day's later inserting four pills into my vagina at home. I chose to do it this way because I thought it would be safer. I'm not sure that that assumption was correct, but I do know that for me, if for some reason I ever had to have an abortion again, I would choose to have a surgical one.

I was warned in advance that there could be side effects and they gave me a prescription for Vicodin and suggested I also take Ibuprofen if needed for the pain. I was also told to take Benedryl because there may be nausea. I wasn't very worried though. I got my medication, set aside an entire day, got some ginger ale and bread. I inserted the pills and about 30 minutes later, I felt a weak period-like cramp which within minutes became the most mind-numbing, stinging cramps that I could never have imagined. I began to feel really strange. It was a mixture of panic and dizziness, hot and cold, and then suddenly I felt a strong urge to vomit and go to no.2. The bleeding had already started so I was really confused about how to just get everything out right. I felt gross. Somewhere in all of that I took the recommended 2-4 Ibuprofen, Vicodin, and Benedryl, and about thirty minutes after it had started, the pain was gone.

It was really scary, and I was afraid that I was not going to be okay. A few hours later, I felt another really sharp spurt of cramps and a really large clot came out. I don't regret the situation, but I would not recommend it to anyone. I was told by my doctors that I had an especially extreme case, but if I were anyone else I wouldn't chance it. Or, I would go against the doctor's orders and take the Vicodin and Benadryl before you insert the pills. I wanted to tell this story because I think people should really understand what they might go through so that they can make the right choices for themselves. Thanks for listening.

Editor’s note: Thanks for sharing your story…It seems that women’s experiences vary greatly with regard to medical abortions. I don’t think yours is particularly an extreme case, but you were obviously affected by it. Hopefully, sharing this experience online has helped you to process it some more. You may or may not find that as the preoccupation with the procedure wears off, that you experience other feelings about the meaning of what has happened. If so, do get in touch with a supportive counselling centre in your area to begin to address those issues if necessary.

Other stories...

Story categories

Tell your story

The information submitted in the stories section is generated solely by the public.

Would you like to tell other people about your experiences?