Submitted: March 21, 2001
Name: Zinnia
Age: 34
Weight: 190
Height: 5'7"
Pregnancy Test: Positive
Resolution: Medical Abortion.
What was the date of the first day of your last menstrual period? 2-1-01
Do you know the date of fertilizing intercourse? What was it? No
What was the date you were expecting menstruation? 3-1-01
How long do your cycles usually run? varies
Do you cycle regularly or irregularly? Irregularly
What was the date when the herbs were started? 3-12-01
How many weeks pregnant were you when the herbs were started? 5
For how many days were the herbs used (total)? 5
What was the date the pregnancy was terminated? 3-17-01
Herbs used:
Vitamin C, Dong quai, and black cohosh.
Were you using birth control? yes
What kind/method of birth control/contraception were you using? Condom/spermicidal insert
Do you know how/why it failed? slippage
Did you experience any symptoms or signs of pregnancy? Painful, swollen breasts, fatigue, weight gain
When did they start? Around week 4
How did the herbs make you feel physically? No different, really
How did being pregnant make you feel physically? Horrible. The last time I was pregnant, I felt joyful, wonderful, at one with creation. I was absolutely miserable-- physically, mentally, and emotionally-- this time.
Please note that doctors wanted to do surgery; I did not want this option. I had to search for a place that would provide medical/chemical termination (ru486), WHICH IS LEGAL but very difficult to get. Planned parenthood was my answer. I found that the whole experience was less traumatic and more private with the medical abortion. You take the first pill (which stops cell division in the fertilized embryo) at the doctor's office, the second action is inserting vaginal suppositories 2 days later, at home and in private, and the uterus then expels the lining and its contents. It was painful; but the pain lasted only a few hours. The bleeding was heavy; the clots were strawberry sized. It was much less frightening than surgery was for me. I also got to hold my head high and be assaulted by "christian" protesters outside Planned Parenthood. I recommend not ackowledging them, should you ever come in contact with them. They do not respect the fact that others do not share their beliefs.
