Chapter Four

"Since you are so early along in this pregnancy, you can opt to have the traditional aspiration abortion, otherwise known as vacuum aspiration. Aspiration is usually used up to sixteen weeks after a woman's last menstrual cycle and you are well under the sixteen week stage. You can also opt for the abortion pill, which is used for pregnancies that are less than nine weeks' gestation. The name of the pill is Mifepristone and it is effective in 97 out of 100 pregnancies."

"H...how does the pill work?" Delilah asked, having never even entertained the possibility of using a pill. She knew about traditional forms of abortion but hadn't read much about the pill.

"Using the abortion pill is a three step process. The first step is taking the abortion pill at the clinic. I will also give you antibiotics to start taking after the abortion pill. The abortion pill works by blocking progesterone, which is a hormone produced in the ovaries of women that is important in the regulation of puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy. Without progesterone, the lining of the uterus breaks down, and the pregnancy cannot continue.

The second step is taking a second medicine, Misoprostol, which will cause the uterus to empty. You will take the second medication up to three days after taking the abortion pill. Misoprostol will cause you to have cramos and bleed heavily. You may begin bleeding before taking the second medicine, but for the most part, the bleeding and cramping begins after taking it. It will usually last a few hours and you may see large blood clots or tissue at the time of the abortion.

More than half of women abort within four or five hours after taking the second medicine. For others, it takes longer, but most women abort within a few days. It is normal to have some bleeding or spotting for up to four weeks after the abortion. You may use sanitary pads or tampons, but using pads makes it easier to keep track of your bleeding.

For most women, medication abortion feels like an early miscarriage. It is normal for you to have bleeding and cramping. Other common side effects are dizziness, strong cramps, nausea or vomitting, diarrhea, temporary abdominal pain, and temporary mild fever or chills. You can take Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen, but no not take Asprin, which can thin your blood.

The third and final step is your follow up appointment. This is to determine that your abortion is complete and that you are feeling well. It will need to be made within two weeks and at that point we will perform an ultrasound or blood test."

Delilah simply nodded and bowed her head, quietly processing the wealth of information that was thrust upon her. She felt sick, lightheaded, and that no amount of detatching could ever truly make her feel better again

"Do you have any questions?" Dr. Barrows asked.

Delilah was silent for a few minutes, trying to force the words past the lump of emotion in her throat. When she felt able speak in a somewhat coherent fashion, she looked up, her eyes miraculously dry.

"When can we start?" she asked, feeling detached but resolved.

"Right now, if you would like," Dr. Barrows replied.

Delilah thought that was an odd choice of words, since there was nothing about this situation that she liked. She sat quietly as Angela left the room and came back with the pill, as well as more water. She handed Delilah the water and the pill to Dr. Barrows, who verified it was the correct one. After nodding her approval, Dr. Barrows handed the pill to Delilah. She held the pill between her fingers, eyeing as one would a rattlesnake on their bedroom floor.

Delilah tried to raise her hand to her mouth, but she just couldn't. She felt as if someone had anchored her hand to the exam table. She immediately chastized herself for her selfishness: this wasn't supposed to be about her. She was here for Spencer and had to remember that it was he that needed protection and consideration, not her. He had made his feelings abundently clear and her selfish desires had already driven a wedge between them.

If she didn't get her priorities in order, she would lose him and she couldn't let that happen. She looked at the pill one last time before slowly inching it to her lips. She forced another lump down her throat and placed the pill in her mouth. As she brought the cup to her mouth, she closed her eyes, her thoughts of course about the husband she so adored.

'This is for you, Spencer,' she thought, taking a sip of water and letting the pill move down her throat.