View Full Version : Abortion
Brendita
05-15-2008, 01:19 PM
I wish to god I had gotten the surgical one. You only bleed for a couple days (AVERAGE).
I bled for four months straight after the surgical abortion and a month after the medical.
I would definitely go the surgical route. The other way is way too much like giving birth and if you're deciding not to keep it, you don't want to go through any of that!
For me, the medical was more like a really heavy period, not giving birth. I got it as soon as I could, though, so maybe the other girls waited longer.
MixedBabe88
05-15-2008, 02:50 PM
I agree with the posters who recommend Planned Parenthood. They're reliable, established and found in most cities. You know you won't be going into some fake, scary anti-choice front.
Except they accept donations to specifically abort black and other minority "babies" (whatever the word of your choice is).
I'm far from pro-life, but Planned Parenthood fucked up big time with that scandal. I will never go there again, only to an OB/GYN if necessary and I was very pro PP because of their great sexual education, but after I read more about them, I can't being a half minority myself, support them any longer.
I would find a reputable OB/GYN who specializes/does abortions.
anomar
05-15-2008, 03:24 PM
^^I haven't heard about that before. Can you please provide a link to a published news story about that?
BrodieLux
05-15-2008, 03:34 PM
^^ Yeah I'd like to see coverage by a reputable news source as well. because to me it sounds like pro-lifer propaganda bullshit.
cutey5032
05-15-2008, 03:52 PM
Except they accept donations to specifically abort black and other minority "babies" (whatever the word of your choice is).
I don't know if I could see them doing that!! At all the PPs I've ever been to they always had a LOT of minorities on their staff. I doubt they would work there if this was true!
MixedBabe88
05-15-2008, 04:10 PM
^^ Yeah I'd like to see coverage by a reputable news source as well. because to me it sounds like pro-lifer propaganda bullshit.
I've seen it on the news a couple of times.
Hold on, lemme do some searching for you guys. Now, let me pre-warn the fake donor WAS from some pro-life magazine, but that aside, these PP workers, accepted donations specifically for minorities. What I can't believe is they actually were HAPPY to accept donations for blacks AFTER hearing comments from the fake donor such as (not verbatim) "The less black children, the better" and "We really face problems with affirmative action".
Now, this money was supposedly going into a "Women in need fund" (which is admirable), but to specify the money for a specific race? Hell no.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,348649,00.html
http://www.kutv.com/mostpopular/story.aspx?content_id=591a8247-0797-408d-abd7-34d4a4319ebf
http://lonestartimes.com/2008/03/17/black-slaughter-planned-parenthood/
(This source is biased, but talks about the situation)
Like I said, I am definitely not against abortions, but definitely saddened by PP's scandal. I'd post more links but most of them are pro-life (because they had a field day with this). Planned Parenthood fucked up big time in my opinion. They already have tons of people on their ass, and then to pull this shit? It's pretty sad actually.
If you go to Youtube (bear with it) and search "Planned Parenthood racism" you can listen to the phone calls made however, the videos I *think* are submitted by a biased source.
It's really sad because they do a lot of good, but have completely lost my support.
MixedBabe88
05-15-2008, 04:12 PM
I don't know if I could see them doing that!! At all the PPs I've ever been to they always had a LOT of minorities on their staff. I doubt they would work there if this was true!
That's the thing, the people who did the "sting" (I guess I'll call it lol) didn't call every state. I think it varies state to state but looks so horrible on the organization itself. I am sure it's been handled, and they have apologized but...whew. It's just kind of surprising because I've always been so behind them.
Starfire
05-15-2008, 04:20 PM
I can't stress this enough.
Please get a blood test to determine if you are RH negative, no matter what you decide. If you are RH negative and decide to terminate you still need a RhoGAM shot to ensure you can have successful pregnancies later.
What is RH negative? I've never heard of this.
MixedBabe88
05-15-2008, 04:48 PM
What is RH negative? I've never heard of this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhesus_factor
Elvia
05-15-2008, 04:53 PM
Mixedbabe-
Ok, I followed those links and I have to say, that was a pretty sneaky move on teh part of pro-lifers.
Basically, they had someone call up and pretend he wanted to make a donation and have it earmarked to go to an African American woman who was in need of an abortion, and planned parenthood accepted. Then the fake caller proceded to make some racist comments and the PP operator pretty much nodded along.
anomar
05-15-2008, 05:00 PM
I agree w/ Elvia... though there are levels of weirdness to that, it does not remove my support from Planned Parenthood as a resource/something to donate time or money to.
MixedBabe88
05-15-2008, 05:24 PM
Mixedbabe-
Ok, I followed those links and I have to say, that was a pretty sneaky move on teh part of pro-lifers.
Basically, they had someone call up and pretend he wanted to make a donation and have it earmarked to go to an African American woman who was in need of an abortion, and planned parenthood accepted. Then the fake caller proceded to make some racist comments and the PP operator pretty much nodded along.
To me, doesn't really matter. PP should have said "No, we cannot specify the donation for a certain minority group, sir" and ended it at that, but it seems that some were all too happy to agree with him and accept the donation. As sneaky as it is, they should have never had this issue.
They have a "women in need" fund, so they should have said "Sir, we cannot specify your money to a certain minority group, however if you would like to help a woman in need, we have a fund for that".
Like I said, sneaky or not, PP represented themselves poorly and when they heard the racist comments, they should have KNOWN it was some sort of ploy.
Elvia
05-15-2008, 05:30 PM
I don't see the issue. If I'd been in her shoes, I would have accepted the money. I wouldn't have said everything the operator said after that, but I would have accepted the money. That's one more person who gets the help they're looking for. Basically, this isn't that PP is racist, the problem is they accepted money from a racist.
Besides, even if you disagree with her actions, PP has apologized. Basically your problem is with one operator, and I wouldn't have been too sure how to handle a call like that either.
This seems like a really petty thing to completely turn against PP over.
kikidejavu
05-15-2008, 05:39 PM
off subject:
i found an amazing post abortion support group online. its afterabortion.com. it works very similiar to sw, and is unequivocally helpful to those who have been through this. every emotion you may have felt, there is a message board for, and women in all stages of life respond with tremendous support to posts.
i would visit even if you dont feel you are having issues with it, because many of the women join after years and years of subconcious grief, and unintentional life sabotage, and unhappiness they dont even realize is connected to the ab.
check it out!
The Other Half
05-15-2008, 05:44 PM
Please get a blood test to determine if you are RH negative, no matter what you decide. If you are RH negative and decide to terminate you still need a RhoGAM shot to ensure you can have successful pregnancies later.
They do this as standard procedure at PP.
Polekitten
05-15-2008, 06:06 PM
my friend had a ru486 abortion, she was the furthest along allowed and i dont think it should have been allowed. she basically gave birth in her shower for 5 hours ( it hurt too bad for her to sit on the toilet so she layed in her shower), and the little clumpy was too big to go down the drain so she had to pick it up and flush it. she said it was horrid and would not reccomend anyone going that route.
This story is horrific, that poor poor girl. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.
head turner
05-15-2008, 07:30 PM
i would go the surgical route FOR SURE!
Brooklynn06
05-15-2008, 07:56 PM
What is RH negative? I've never heard of this.
15% of women are RH negative...me being one of them. And yes, it is very important to know, especially if you want a baby sometime in the future.
I know a link was posted so I won't go into detail about it.
Brooklynn06
05-15-2008, 07:58 PM
off subject:
i found an amazing post abortion support group online. its afterabortion.com. it works very similiar to sw, and is unequivocally helpful to those who have been through this. every emotion you may have felt, there is a message board for, and women in all stages of life respond with tremendous support to posts.
i would visit even if you dont feel you are having issues with it, because many of the women join after years and years of subconcious grief, and unintentional life sabotage, and unhappiness they dont even realize is connected to the ab.
check it out!
There's also Imnotsorry.net or .com....I can't remember for sure. It's a site for post abortion and women who do not regret doing it.
Gypsy74
05-15-2008, 08:02 PM
I went to the PASS forum, and it makes me not want to have one even more-- because every one on there regrets it and describes in horrific detail how horrible it was. There are even women on their who made websites honoring their 9 week old embryos. It's really sad.
going to check out imnotsorry.com
oh and update:
because of my shitty roommate situation and pretty much the absolute demolition of my life around me coming crashing into piece at my feet, I have decided to move home to florida where I feel more comfortable, relaxed and safe and have the support of my family and friends so I can make a decision. I'm going to live at my family's house for a while, and my bf is getting a house and working fulltime so no matter what decision i make, we have a stable living situation and can go on with our lives.
I'm leaving the 20th. Since I'm leaving so early, I have to give my kitten up for adoption, none of my friends here can watch her for me. If anyone in PDX wants a little orange female tiger kitty (10-11 weeks) let me know.
I still haven't decided. My heart says yes and my brain says no, so I just keep going in circles. i managed to get out of bed today and go outside, but I only got it out of my head for about 5 minutes.
oh yeah and since both methods of abortion have mixed reviews, I still don't know which one i'd pick, maybe i'll put up a poll, how ridiculous.
anomar
05-15-2008, 08:09 PM
I hope it feels good to have made a decision (to go back to FLA for a while and be in a different situation). May you find good things in your heart and head when you are at home.:goodvibes :grouphug:
Gypsy74
05-15-2008, 08:11 PM
thank you ^ :P do you want my kitty?? i know you're right around the corner..
anomar
05-15-2008, 08:14 PM
So sad to say no thanks! We have a no-pets policy at our house... and even if we could have pets I think my roommates would prefer a dog. :P And we don't have a fenced backyard so we couldn't have one of those..
BrodieLux
05-15-2008, 10:37 PM
Aw Gypsy your life is so crazy right now. {{{Hugs}}}
I think you're making a really good decision by going to Fl. to chill out and escape the all the intense negativity in PDX. It sounds like you are overwhelmed and stressed out by the decisions that you have to make about the pregnancy -- as anyone would be. The more stable and supported you feel, IMO, the better.
Know that whatever choice you make is going to be difficult, will have trade-offs and will bring change. Embrace that truth. Then choose the least imperfect of many imperfect paths.
cutey5032
05-16-2008, 01:14 AM
To me, doesn't really matter. PP should have said "No, we cannot specify the donation for a certain minority group, sir" and ended it at that, but it seems that some were all too happy to agree with him and accept the donation. As sneaky as it is, they should have never had this issue.
They have a "women in need" fund, so they should have said "Sir, we cannot specify your money to a certain minority group, however if you would like to help a woman in need, we have a fund for that".
I agree!
Good luck Gypsy! Is your boyfriend moving to Florida with you, or is he gonna get a house in Pdx?
Lilah29
05-16-2008, 01:35 AM
I'm leaving the 20th. Since I'm leaving so early, I have to give my kitten up for adoption, none of my friends here can watch her for me. If anyone in PDX wants a little orange female tiger kitty (10-11 weeks) let me know.
Aw, I don't like the sound of this. So you've got 3 or 4 days max to find a home for a baby animal that you adopted? I know I value animals more than most people, but I think that was a huge responsibility to take her on, and I wouldn't have made a definite plan to leave until that was settled - to a GOOD home, not just a "hey, want my kitty?" home.
I'll PM you a group that may be able to foster/take her.
Gypsy74
05-16-2008, 01:46 AM
:banghead:
Gypsy74
05-16-2008, 01:55 AM
my bf is coming with me. he's going to stay at a friends house (oddly, he knows people in my hometown) and i'm going to stay at my friend's houses/ maybe my parents house if i can stand it. he's going to get a fulltime job, and i'm probably just going to lay in bed crying all day like i've been doing for the past four days. we're probably going to rent a little house (there's a lot of houses down there that are just studio apartments/1bedrooms) or apartment or something. regardless of what i do with the pregnancy, i'm going back to school, b/c there's a school there i can go to pretty much for free.
i just don't care anymore. i'm pretty much pretending i'm not pregnant. i haven't cried once today. i just feel numb. everything is fucking ruined, everything is just crumbling in pieces around me and everything i've worked for here is fucked up and over with, so i might as well just go back to where im comfortable and don't have to pay anything to live anywhere so i can freaking breathe.
i still don't know what to do, but the more i read about abortions (both positive and negative experiences) and the more i read about young mothers, the more i want to keep the baby.
it doesn't mean it's the end of my life, or that i can't still achieve my goals and dreams.
i'm going to get an u/s when i go home and see exactly how far along i am, and then if i can see it, maybe it will be easier to decide.
i'm just so fucking sad. i don't know what to do and i'm being fucking crazy and mean to everyone and swearing... which i never do.
and the only thing i feel like eating is vegan soy jerky. which i find really strange because it repulsed me before. i dont have any morning sickness whatsoever.
Sunshine73
05-16-2008, 03:27 AM
because of my shitty roommate situation and pretty much the absolute demolition of my life around me coming crashing into piece at my feet, I have decided to move home to florida where I feel more comfortable, relaxed and safe and have the support of my family and friends so I can make a decision. I'm going to live at my family's house for a while, and my bf is getting a house and working fulltime so no matter what decision i make, we have a stable living situation and can go on with our lives.
This sounds like a very good idea. Do what you have to do. And I hope you make the best decision possible for yourself and all those involved.
MsLayne
05-16-2008, 03:31 AM
Ok....I've had a surgical abortion before at a medical center, not a clinic. I also had one at a clinic....both of these decisions were hard but I was young and dumb. Now that I'm much older I can definitely tell you that having a surgical abortion will be better for your mind and your body. Getting a RU abortion can be traumatizing and painful. If you will be able to handle seeing your fetus as your are aborting because the RU will make it a mess. I know abortions are no way simple but I do know that a surgical abortion will be better for your psyche. if you have insurance I say go to a hospital women center and have your abortion there. They made my experience a much better one; especially with anti abortion fanatics outside the clinic telling me they can help me. As if I'm haphazardly coming to the conclusion that I'm losing my baby. But make the decision that's best for you.
Sunshine73
05-16-2008, 03:39 AM
i'm just so fucking sad. i don't know what to do and i'm being fucking crazy and mean to everyone and swearing... which i never do.
Hormones and stress. You are going through so much right now. Your whole life is changing. And you are growing. Let's face it, growth isn't always comfortable, but when this passes and you look back you'll realize that you have become even stronger for it. No matter what it is you decide to choose.
Cry it out, keep a journal, take a walk, find some healthy ways to release the tension and the stress. You've got a heavy decision to make. At 19, it's not easy to do.
:hug: Hang in there and have faith that all will be OK.
The Other Half
05-16-2008, 04:28 AM
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
Being among people you love, will help a lot. That's a great decision!
i.breathe.in
05-16-2008, 09:42 AM
i think you have every right to be worried and upset right now this is one of the biggest deals youll have in your life obviously.
VegasPrincess
05-16-2008, 04:09 PM
I can't stress this enough.
Please get a blood test to determine if you are RH negative, no matter what you decide. If you are RH negative and decide to terminate you still need a RhoGAM shot to ensure you can have successful pregnancies later.
Wow!!
Thanks :) I had no idea to check for this... what exactly is RH?
virgoamm
05-16-2008, 04:14 PM
This site (http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/rhfactor.html) explains it pretty well. I didn't know what is was either and that Wiki article was a little too technical for me.
BrodieLux
05-16-2008, 04:35 PM
Take your time deciding (within reason). Don't rush. If you have a kid, the actual childbirth is likely to be as big a deal in terms of pain and grossness as an abortion, so don't let fear of either procedure have much weight in your choice.
Sophia_Ashley
05-16-2008, 04:42 PM
Iv'e had both the pill and the surgical. With the surgical I had to drive 7 hours, to another state so that I could get sedation. Indiana does not do sedation, and personally I couldn't have made it through without it. I didn't want to have the abortion but the relationship I was in was dangerous and I feared what he'd do to the kid to get back at me for not wanting to be with him. Anyways, I remember getting up on the table, then I woke up being wheeled to a waiting room with tons of other girls all in recliners eating a cracker and drinking juice. After 45 minutes I was allowed to leave.
THe pill was non traumatic. I was 7 weeks along, they gave me a huge horse pill there..sent me home with 6 pills. 2 were extras. 4 were to be pushed deep into my vag up towards the cervix 12 hours later. I had mild cramps..they gave me vicodin so I just popped a few pills...took an ambien..passed out. (with the pads they gave me on) woke up 8 hours later and had passed it. I bled for 2 weeks nothing horrible just tapering. And that was it.
Sophia_Ashley
05-16-2008, 04:42 PM
Oh the RH negative, my bestfriend is and has 3 beautiful kids. No complications what so ever.
Gypsy74
05-16-2008, 08:04 PM
Take your time deciding (within reason). Don't rush. If you have a kid, the actual childbirth is likely to be as big a deal in terms of pain and grossness as an abortion, so don't let fear of either procedure have much weight in your choice.
yeah but childbirth is natural and our bodies are made to do it. abortion is unnatural and our cervixes are not meant to have sharp metal rods stuck up them.
that said.. i still dont know what to do. i think i could deal with childbirth better than abortion, physically speaking. i would do a waterbirth with a midwife. all the women in my family have had super healthy easy textbook pregnancies, i'm really healthy myself, and i know i could do it.
but i still dont know what to do.
if i get an abortion i've decided it will be the medical one, because i want to be alone when it happens.
either way, we're moving to my hometown, where rent is way cheaper, jobs are way easier to get, the overall mood of the place is way more relaxed, and i have a big support network either way.
i have no support in pdx, rent is astronomical, my bf can't take his job anymore (greenpeace canvasser), and the place seems to be more and more overrun with those stupid hipster alcoholic kids and yuppies, and it seems to be turning more and more consumer than cooperative. i expected portland to be full of hippies, not messenger bag wearing, fixed gear riding, pbr chugging, 20 somethings with no goals and no education.
blah. rant over.
The day i fly home, i will be 8 weeks pregnant... which looksl ike this little alien thing :http://www.pregnancy.org/images/pregnancy/pregnancycalendar/8week500.jpg
I'm getting an ultrasound done, just to make sure everything is viable, there's a heartbeat, etc. I think if i get an ultrasound it will help me make my decision.
Peanut_Butter
05-16-2008, 08:31 PM
^ if you getan ultra sound, hear a heatbeat, it wil probably push you into keeping it, espicially because of how on the fence you are already...
Just make sure your listening to your head as well as your heart. Don't let the heart take over completly. Try to listen to your brain's rationale also.
:hug: I know how you feel. I really do. Kinda like your stuck in this big black hole, and can't see the sunshine in either direction. Like no way is the right way. But eventually you'll figure it out.
BrodieLux
05-16-2008, 08:52 PM
yeah but childbirth is natural and our bodies are made to do it. abortion is unnatural and our cervixes are not meant to have sharp metal rods stuck up them.
OK, I really do not want to come off as trying to lobby you to get an abortion, because that's not my intention. I don't know what I would do if I were in your position, honestly. But I want to respond to your point about whether it's natural. Women have been having abortions for hundreds of thousands of years. It's not a new thing. The surgery may be a fairly recent thing (I do not know), but herbal concoctions have been used in the past and continue to be used today, in our society and in others.
Also, in some indigenous societies, anthropologists have observed women stomping on pregnant women's stomachs to kill the fetus and induce miscarriage. This is not a method of abortion I'd want, but it is abortion.
Humans in our present incarnation have been around 200,000 years. So....I guess it depends on your definition of natural.
Gypsy74
05-16-2008, 09:27 PM
^^well yeah i know that. I read a lot about herbal abortions and my minor in college is anthropology-- i'm pretty familiar with what women have been doing for thousands of years... but my point being that our present ways of abortion are unnatural.
I would be much more comfortable with using herbs to terminate an abortion, but I don't trust myself to make such a concoction (if it failed i would still have to abort surg/med because the baby would be screwed up, and I don't know an herbalist/shaman/healer around here who would be willing (it's not even legal i dont think) to make such a concoction for me.
so yeah... i still don't know. i'm so ambivalent. i read about women who have kids and their experiences and it makes me want to keep it, and then i read about women who got abortions and dont regret it and how they're living their lives and it makes me feel like that's the better decision. I just can't decide.
I can't cry anymore either. I haven't cried today at all, which is strange because the last 5 days it's all i've been doing
BrodieLux
05-16-2008, 09:35 PM
^^well yeah i know that. I read a lot about herbal abortions and my minor in college is anthropology-- i'm pretty familiar with what women have been doing for thousands of years... but my point being that our present ways of abortion are unnatural.
I would be much more comfortable with using herbs to terminate an abortion, but I don't trust myself to make such a concoction (if it failed i would still have to abort surg/med because the baby would be screwed up, and I don't know an herbalist/shaman/healer around here who would be willing (it's not even legal i dont think) to make such a concoction for me.
so yeah... i still don't know. i'm so ambivalent. i read about women who have kids and their experiences and it makes me want to keep it, and then i read about women who got abortions and dont regret it and how they're living their lives and it makes me feel like that's the better decision. I just can't decide.
I can't cry anymore either. I haven't cried today at all, which is strange because the last 5 days it's all i've been doing
Yeah from what I've heard, I wouldn't recommend the herbal route. I looked it up online just now and it says it works by poisoning you enough to kill the fetus but not enough to kill you. And it's gotta a variable rate of efficacy, looks like, and plenty danger.
dangerousdiva
05-16-2008, 10:10 PM
Oh the RH negative, my bestfriend is and has 3 beautiful kids. No complications what so ever.
Most RH negative women have uncomplicated pregnancies after they receive a RhoGam shot. If you're RH neg, pregnant and not given RhoGAM, you probably won't be able to carry any future pregnancies to term. However, it's a little more complicated than that.
Basically, if your RH neg and decide to abort you still need a RhoGAM shot. Not all places, even PP test for this so make sure to ask for it.
ETA
This another reason not to seek "herbal remedies" for termination. You need to see a Doctor. period.
Gypsy74
05-16-2008, 10:44 PM
great ^ so pretty much whether i decide to keep the baby or I decide to abort I'm going to have to do blood tests?? that's just great. I fucking hate blood tests. Every single time I have gotten them I pass out on the floor and spasm. I hate fainting, I have been fainting sporadically since I was 6, no health problems found, just a response to anxiety and an aversion to needles/blood. I can't even get a finger prick without passing out. The last time I went to the gyno, I got a finger prick test to test for anemia, and I fainted on the floor before the nurse could even smear my finger- and she didn't even catch me!! I got rugburn on my face that lasted 2 weeks.
. ugh. this sucks. Is there any way to have a baby and not have to get blood tests??? lol I know this should be the least of my worries.. but just wondering. I've gotten MANY blood tests in the past- can't they just look up in my history and see if i'm RH negative or not?
Peanut_Butter
05-16-2008, 10:51 PM
^ LOL. If you decide to have it your gonna have lots of blood tests. Starting with the blood test to confirm the pregnancy. Then blood tests to check for health problems and stuff.
If you abort your'll probably need a blood test afterward to make sure the hcg levels are droppign appropriatly and that it terminated completly (although they may only do that for medical, not surgical)
As for the Rh stuff...I wasn't tested for it after my miscarriage...so it must not be standard .... But I agree, it IS important.
And no, they cant just check your history to see if you are or not, it doesn't show up until pregnancy. Basicially, the first pregnancy the baby is either rh+ or Rh -. If positive, no worries. If it's negative, no worries FOR THAT PREGNANCY. but subsequent pregnancy's, since you have the negative factor in your blood, it will clash with future pregnancies and cause a miscarriage.
* Thats the basic understanding I have from memory.*
High_Heel_Lover
05-16-2008, 10:53 PM
Yes get the test. I had to have the Rhogam hon. Look whatever you do, take care of you ok.
High_Heel_Lover
05-16-2008, 10:54 PM
What does it mean to be Rh-negative?
Being Rh-negative means you don't have a certain protein ("D antigen," or the Rh factor) on the surface of your red blood cells. If you do have it, you're Rh-positive. So the terms Rh-negative and Rh-positive are just ways of further pinpointing what type of blood a person has, beyond the general blood type categories of A, B, AB, and O.
If you're Rh-negative and carrying a baby who is Rh-positive (like the baby’s father), your immune system, which fights off invaders to keep you healthy, will recognize your baby's Rh-positive red blood cells as foreign to your Rh-negative blood and will begin producing antibodies intended to destroy your baby's blood cells. If this is your first pregnancy, chances are everything will be fine. These crusading antibodies usually are not dangerous until subsequent pregnancies, when they've had time to grow in strength and number. This is why you have to worry about the future now. Once the antibodies begin attacking, they can lower a baby's red blood cell count, which can lead to jaundice, anemia, mental retardation, and heart failure. In the most severe cases, it can be fatal in utero (during pregnancy) or shortly after delivery. This condition is known as Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN), and for Rh-negative women, all future pregnancies are at risk. Fortunately, treatment can virtually eliminate the risk.
CAN MY ANTIBODIES HURT MY BABY?
Yes. The antibodies formed to protect you against Rh-positive red blood cells can pass to the baby you are carrying. They attack and destroy the baby’s Rh-positive red blood cells, causing anemia (low red blood cell count), jaundice, and in severe cases, heart failure. This condition is known as hemolytic disease of the newborn, or HDN.
WHO IS RH-NEGATIVE?
Most people are Rh-positive -- 85 to 99 percent. Percentages vary between ethnic/racial groups. For the 1 to 15 percent who are Rh-negative, their blood type causes no special health concerns and becomes important only when they give or receive blood and, most importantly, during pregnancy. When an Rh-negative woman and an Rh-positive man conceive a child, Rh status becomes especially important.
http://www.rhogam.com/Patient/WhatRhNegativeMeans/Pages/default.aspx
Flick6
05-16-2008, 10:59 PM
great ^ so pretty much whether i decide to keep the baby or I decide to abort I'm going to have to do blood tests?? that's just great. I fucking hate blood tests. Every single time I have gotten them I pass out on the floor and spasm. I hate fainting, I have been fainting sporadically since I was 6, no health problems found, just a response to anxiety and an aversion to needles/blood. I can't even get a finger prick without passing out. The last time I went to the gyno, I got a finger prick test to test for anemia, and I fainted on the floor before the nurse could even smear my finger- and she didn't even catch me!! I got rugburn on my face that lasted 2 weeks.
. ugh. this sucks. Is there any way to have a baby and not have to get blood tests??? lol I know this should be the least of my worries.. but just wondering. I've gotten MANY blood tests in the past- can't they just look up in my history and see if i'm RH negative or not?
sorry but assuming things are similar in our two countries, pregnancy involves MANY blood tests!! many many many. And I had a natural birth at a birthing center, so there would have been even more if I had gone through a normal hospital. And I refused all the non compulsory tests.
And from the POV of someone who has had an abortion and given birth (water birth with midwives) PHYSICALLY speaking an abortion is much easier. Mentally it's a whole 'nother story of course.
Gypsy74
05-16-2008, 11:18 PM
I still don't know what to do.
I can deal with blood tests if I'm allowed to lie down completely flat--but in my past experiences nurses have just been flat out mean to me and make me sit in that stiff upright chair with the arm rest and I've passed out every time and told them i told you so later. They never believe me when is say i faint every time. It's not psychosomatic either, I have gone in there after meditating and pep talking myself that I was going to be fine, with a positive attitude, even brave enough to watch it happen-- and i STILL faint. it sucks.
ugh. i just give up on fucking everything. everything sucks. i have to move out of my house. my roommates are being immature. i'm going back to florida. my bf is going with me. i'm pregnant, i still dont know what to do and i 'm almost 8 weeks. i cant even fucking cry
if i get an abortion i'm refusing all blood tests. I dont care. If i have to go through with that, i'm not getting blood tests on top of it. fuck that.