A 20-year-old female student came with 2 female friends. One of the friends came into the consultation room with her to see the doctor. This friend was the one who recommended and brought her to the RSA volunteer medical network clinic. Uncle Doctor thanks this kind-hearted friend very much for recommending good things to someone who doesn’t know the information, that there are still services that do not judge women with unplanned pregnancies, providing consultations that respect women’s rights and decisions, and ensuring safety in care…
The story that this female friend told is interesting.
Two years ago, another friend, aged 18, had the same pregnancy problem and went together as a friend to a youth clinic at a state hospital. During the consultation service, that friend decided to have an abortion, but the nurse said, “Why didn’t you think when you did it? How can you force the doctor to hurry and take it out when you’re pregnant?” The nurse’s words and demeanor seemed very serious, as if she didn’t want to help. At that time, her friend was 2 months pregnant and felt disappointed and sad about why the nurse spoke like that… That was a past story reflecting the unplanned pregnancy service where the service provider still had biases, viewing women with unplanned pregnancies as problem creators, which is incorrect. In fact, women come to us because they need help…
Back to this time, the doctor was met on May 8, 2017. The female student said the first day of her last period was March 27, 2017, missing her period for 11 days. She took a urine test 1 day before coming twice to be sure. The test result was 2 lines every time. She wanted to be sure, so she took another urine test this morning before seeing the doctor.
“I thought when I tested my urine yesterday morning and evening, it might be a bladder infection, so I tested again in the morning to avoid mistakes. I thought it was sure, so I came to see the doctor.”
I couldn’t help but sympathize with her anxiety, so I told her that actually, one test is enough. As for the pregnancy, counting from the first day of the last period until today, May 8, the gestational age is 42 days or 6 weeks. Uncle Doctor considers it very good that she came to see the doctor early. At this gestational age, there is already a small embryo. It’s interesting how she used birth control and still failed.
The pregnancy occurred because she had been taking birth control pills for 2 years and stopped for over 2 months. She gave several reasons for stopping: One: Thought she wouldn’t get pregnant. Two: Too careless. Three: Wanted to take a break from taking birth control pills because she had been taking them for a long time and was afraid of a dry uterus. Four: Sometimes didn’t use condoms? Because she was with her boyfriend every day and admitted that most men don’t like using condoms. Five: Never thought she could get pregnant – thought pregnancy wouldn’t happen easily. And six: Her boyfriend used withdrawal…!!
Uncle Doctor would like to tell all the girls that if anyone thinks like this, they can easily get pregnant like her. It’s an example that will help change the mindset to seriously use birth control if you don’t want to get pregnant. Birth control pills don’t dry out the uterus and can be taken for a long time.
“I’m still studying and don’t want my mom to know, afraid she’ll be upset. My boyfriend is in military service now, and he doesn’t know yet. I can’t contact him.”
The result of the abdominal ultrasound did not find an amniotic sac, which means the pregnancy is still small, about 4 weeks, less than the gestational age calculated from the period. But this is something that can always be found. Another possibility is an ectopic pregnancy. After the doctor scheduled another check-up in 1 week at 5 weeks gestation, there was still no embryo, only a 1 cm amniotic sac, and no ectopic pregnancy was found. It is considered that the gestational age is still small. Consulting early allows for early detection, which will be beneficial for the safest correction. It’s a good example… After the doctor provided the examination and treatment, she invited Uncle Doctor to talk.
“Doctor, aren’t you afraid of sin and karma for performing abortions?”
It’s a question from her, which is interesting regarding the attitude towards abortion of doctors. The female friend who came along added,
“The website I found on Google says that 12 insertion pills cost 6,500 baht. They are direct abortion pills that must be inserted before bed, before midnight, using chopsticks used for eating noodles to push the pill in one at a time, continuing until the baby comes out. The pills are large white tablets the size of a thumb. Someone 4 months pregnant inserted 8 pills, and it came out, but there was a lot of bleeding and had to go to the hospital, getting scolded a lot. There are more expensive ones, 12 pills costing 12,000-13,000 baht.”
Uncle Doctor says that buying drugs from websites is a problem of drug substandard, unreliable, very expensive, not recommended, and continuous care is not provided, leaving women at risk of death. Moreover, selling drugs like this is an illegal service, which should find a better alternative. But if you accidentally use the drug and bleed a lot, Uncle Doctor thinks it’s necessary to go to the hospital to ensure your safety…
Uncle Doctor took the opportunity to ask further why women are willing to spend a lot of money and risk their safety.
“I think when people are pregnant, they don’t think about money or safety. Just get it out anyway!”
“Most teenagers buy drugs from websites a lot nowadays. Those who want an abortion know they are pregnant and transfer money. Ages around 14-15 years, curious and want to try.”
“Kids these days are afraid doctors will ask why they didn’t use a condom or take birth control, so they don’t come to see the doctor. Buying drugs from the internet is better.”
“If you scold them, it’s like pushing them to find illegal websites. Just being pregnant already feels guilty. When deciding to take the baby out, they still face a bad situation and are criticized, making it even worse, not daring to come.”
“I want to stop criticizing unplanned pregnant patients.”
“They don’t know places that provide safe services, but I came here because I want safety and legality.”
Hearing this, Uncle Doctor invites everyone in this society to give opportunities to all women with unplanned pregnancies.
With love and care,
Uncle Doctor Ruangkit Sirikanchanakul
www.lovecarestation.com