HELP!!! Urgent!

I'm 18 and four weeks pregnant. I want an abortion. Is it possible to do this with pills or through a standard procedure? If anyone knows, please describe how both options actually work and what they look like. Thanks.

First things first, you really ought to schedule an appointment with your OB-GYN so they can point you toward the right specialists and next steps. To be honest, I’ve never actually heard of standalone abortion pills being sold just anywhere. I am aware that there are those Plan B options, though the name itself makes it pretty clear exactly when and why you’d use them, and you can expect to shell out about $500 at a clinic.

silverpuma10 said:I'm 18 and I'm four weeks pregnant, and I want to end the pregnancy. I was wondering if it’s possible to do this with abortion pills or through a standard procedure, and if anyone could walk me through what both options actually "look" like or how they work... thanks so much!

Just go see a doctor, and they'll walk you through everything step by step... honestly, it isn't as scary as it sounds if you've truly made up your mind..

silverpuma10, dear, there isn't actually such a thing as an abortion pill. And a Plan B, or the morning-after pill, isn't really a pill in that sense—it’s just a higher dose of contraceptive hormones designed to trigger bleeding, usually within 24 hours. I guess maybe you could talk to your parents about this? Or perhaps a counselor? Most people will probably tell you it’s not a big deal if that's what you've decided, but I think it is serious. An abortion can leave both psychological and physical consequences, and the procedure involves removing the uterine lining along with the pregnancy under local or general anesthesia. I know a girl who went through an abortion, and she's struggling quite a bit because of it now.

Raymond Ward3 said:silverpuma10, honey, there’s no such thing as an abortion pill in the way you’re thinking—and Plan B isn't even an abortion pill; it’s just a high dose of contraceptive hormones designed to trigger bleeding within about 24 hours. Have you considered talking to your parents or maybe a counselor? You’ll likely find plenty of people telling you it’s no big deal if this is what you’ve decided, but truthfully, it really is. Abortion carries both physical and psychological weight, and the procedure itself involves removing the uterine lining along with the pregnancy under local or general anesthesia. I personally know a young woman who went through an abortion, and she’s still struggling deeply with the aftermath today.

I find myself in total agreement with everything said here. An abortion is a heavy, significant thing, but it’s even heavier to face the reality of having a child when you’re still essentially a kid yourself—don't take that personally, but if you aren't emotionally mature at 18, you simply aren't ready to be a parent. A child shouldn't have to raise a child.

Is there any other way to handle this, or is Kiretaza the only option?

People here will share their thoughts and maybe offer some advice... if you're absolutely certain about this, I think it's best to just see a doctor. They can answer everything you need to know, and probably sooner rather than later. I knew someone once who was in a similar spot, but she ended up having her baby because her parents sat down and really talked things through with her. This is such a heavy decision... plus, you might find yourself truly wanting a child someday. Just please, don't go getting this done just anywhere.

To ensure there isn't any risk of infection, everything has to be removed completely. There really isn't any other way around it than through a mechanical process, where they have to scrape away that lining using specific instruments. I guess you could say it's a forceful termination, because honestly, there just isn't a gentle way to go about it. Just something to think about.

silverpuma10, please don't beat yourself up here on the forum; people can be really harsh sometimes. If you've already made up your mind, maybe just head straight to an OB-GYN. It’s not easy, but I guess it might be a bit easier since you're still in the early stages. I'm worried it might be too late for the Mifeprex, but honestly, it's all about what feels right for you. Some girls find the mental part way harder than the physical side, too. Just think it through carefully—it seems like you've mostly decided anyway, otherwise, you probably wouldn't have started this thread—and maybe you could even see someone at a private clinic? The conditions might be a little more comfortable than at a big public hospital.

Go see a gynecologist! I haven't seen you around this thread in ages! If you stay here, the armchair experts are going to talk your ear off until your brain is mush—it’ll just be one big, bitter mess of confusion. Got it?

A gynecologist will likely accept your decision without much fuss and just send you in for a "routine" procedure, leaving you to deal with the aftermath on your own. I guess maybe you don't see any other way out right now, but in the long run, an abortion might be harder to live with. I say this because my family has dealt with miscarriages across several generations, and I've seen how deeply those experiences can affect people.

Everyone seems to be offering their two cents, but you really ought to consult with an OB-GYN if you haven't already. At this stage, medication isn't going to cut it, so you're likely looking at a D&C, though perhaps a vacuum aspiration might suffice. It’s worth weighing the potential long-term implications of a miscarriage—specifically how it might impact future pregnancies—especially if this is your first time navigating pregnancy. You might find yourself considering the option that feels most daunting right now: continuing the pregnancy and moving toward childbirth. You are an adult, and in the grand scheme of things, becoming a mother at your age is far from a catastrophe. Ultimately, facing the reality of your situation now is much simpler than dealing with the fallout later.

silverpuma10 said:I'm 18 and four weeks pregnant—I want to have an abortion. Is it possible to do this with pills or does it have to be the standard procedure? Does anyone know if they can describe what both options "look" like—as in, how they actually work? Thanks so much!

There are abortion pills available—I believe they use RU-486, specifically known as Mifeprex—though I'm not entirely sure about the specific regulations here in the US. Maybe try doing a quick Google search...

Oh, right—that medication also helps shrink fibroids, doesn't it?

So, are you planning on laying it all out for your mom and dad? Honestly, it just depends on what your relationship is like with them.

A friend of mine went through an abortion a few years back, and she actually told her folks—her mom, dad, and sister. They all showed up at the hospital and waited in the hallway for her until the whole thing was over. Even the doctor commented on it, saying he’d never seen family support quite like that in his entire career!!!!

Just stay strong, whatever you decide to do!!!!! This choice has to be YOURS and yours alone!!!!!

William Ross17 said:There are also abortion pills—I think they go by RU-485 or RU-486, though the actual brand name is Mifeprex. I'm not entirely sure how easy they are to get here in the US, though... maybe do a quick Google search?

Oh yeah, that medication actually helps shrink fibroids, too.

Those are Mifepristone tablets, and they work effectively up until about 5 weeks of pregnancy...

Raymond Ward3 said:silverpuma10, honey, abortion pills don't really exist in that sense, and Plan B isn't an abortion pill either—it's just a high dose of contraceptive hormones meant to trigger bleeding within 24 hours. Have you considered talking to your parents or maybe a counselor? Most people will probably tell you it’s fine if this is what you’ve decided, but it isn't. An abortion carries psychological and physical consequences, and the procedure involves removing the uterine lining along with the pregnancy under local or general anesthesia. I know someone who went through an abortion and she still struggles with it today.

Correction, they DO exist. The generic name is mifepristone, though they aren't available here. I don't think they are available anywhere in the region. In Western Europe, they are used during the earlier weeks of pregnancy because they induce contractions.

Regardless, you need to see a gynecologist immediately. A Kiretaza is a serious medical procedure. Sometimes they provide anesthesia, and sometimes they don't. Please insist on being given anesthesia; I’m a healthcare worker and I once witnessed a Kiretaza performed without any anesthesia, and it was a harrowing sight to behold.
My dear, both having an abortion and raising a child are matters for adults. In both scenarios, you will face significant psychological and physical consequences, and your life has already changed, whether you realize it yet or not. If you decide to go through with an abortion, please be 100% certain of your choice, because that is the only way you will be able to handle what comes next.

Honestly, just grab your mom, your boyfriend, or a close friend and get yourselves to a gynecologist ASAP—someone who actually gets what you're going through and can give you some real guidance
This isn't exactly something you want to put off; if you're planning on having an abortion, it’s probably better to move on this sooner rather than later
I think someone mentioned the vacuum aspiration method earlier, so maybe ask your doctor about that specifically. Good luck, seriously.

silverpuma10 said:I'm 18 and four weeks pregnant, and I want to have an abortion. I'm wondering if it's possible to do this via abortion pills or a traditional procedure, and could someone please describe what both options "look" like—meaning, how they are actually performed? Thanks so much!

Look, I’m not here to lecture you; I believe you’ve made up your mind about wanting to terminate this pregnancy. You're young—young for both parenting and for the procedure itself. Ultimately, it's your call. Personally, though, the idea of giving birth only to face the fallout of life's failures later on sounds much worse to me... and that's even more daunting if you don't have parental support (which is vital at your age) or a father who's actually in the picture!
If you've already decided (or even if you're still weighing things), get to a gynecologist immediately—ideally tomorrow—and get an exam.
Abortion is typically performed up to the 12th week, but the sooner you act, the easier it will be for you (at your stage, a suction curettage is likely all that's needed). The longer you wait, the more difficult and painful the process becomes, both physically and emotionally.
Someone mentioned earlier that the cost is roughly $500, and you can have the procedure done at a hospital or a private clinic.
Good luck! 😉

don't you dare throw it away

Nancy Miller5 said:Personally, I think it sounds much worse to go through a miscarriage and then feel like you have to blame your diet for any potential failure...
😉

To me, it seems even worse to end a pregnancy that has already begun. That life has a right to exist simply because it was conceived; it wasn't an accident, and it can be such a huge source of joy and support for a mother, whereas losing a pregnancy is definitely going to be a trauma.