What Does Light Bleeding After Taking Misoprostol Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 14 Nov 2016

Question: Hi I am 10+4 weeks pregnant and 2 days ago I had a oral tablet of mifoprostrone and today when I went back for the second part of the process I decided I didn't want to continue with the abortion. I have had light bleeding but nothing too heavy. They scanned me and baby has strong heartbeat still and no signs of any bruising or blood clots around sac. Do you think my baby will survive? Any advice would be appreciated.

Answered by Dr. Nishikant Shrotri (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Don't change the decision

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

Mifepristone is a medicine used for terminating the pregnancy safely and effectively up to 9 weeks of gestation. After that, the doses and schedules of medicines change. It is to be followed by Misoprostol for completing the termination.

These medicines cause developmental abnormalities in the baby. Hence, once you have started the medicines, it is a point of no return. You should not revert your decision of continuing the pregnancy lest the risk of abnormalities in the child.

I would advise you please to seek the help of your Obstetrician to complete the termination of this pregnancy. At almost 11 weeks gestation, I would advise you to go for surgical evacuation of the pregnancy.

For any further information or advice, I am always available for you, XXXXXXX You may consider posting a good review with 5 stars rating for me.

Dr. Nishikant Shrotri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. REMY KOSHY

Follow up: Dr. Nishikant Shrotri (5 hours later)

Thanks for your answer. Ive been told that the risk of abnormaities is low only 1% higher than normal rate. Is there not a good enoigh chance to continue?

Answered by Dr. Nishikant Shrotri (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Take informed decision

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

Statistics is gives general figures in a group. Though it is low percentage, when you fall in that low percentage group, it is 100% for you. So given a choice, I would never opt to continue the pregnancy once medicines for termination of pregnancy are consumed.

However, it has to be your own informed decision. WHO has mentioned in its guidelines that woman should know about the teratogenic effect of the medicines. However, if she decides to continue the pregnancy, because of the potential risk to the baby, follow up of continued pregnancy is very important.

So now the decision is yours. If you decide to continue the pregnancy, please report to a Foetal Medicine consultant to have a close and continued follow up. May be, after you cross the legal limit of termination of pregnancy, you might not be allowed to terminate the pregnancy if the foetal abnormality is detected at that stage.

I hope you have been informed sufficiently and you will take informed decision. For any more information, you may ask me anytime, XXXXXXX

Dr. Nishikant Shrotri

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar