I don't understand the question. Are you thinking of how to kill your baby once its born? If so, there may be other forum for that, and you may need to consider your anger and frustration with a counsellor.

If you are going to kill your baby, will you want to do that at home?

Oh...am I not allowed to discuss when women kill their babies -- is that mean or negative?

Get real, nightie -- go on the anti-choice forum if you just want to ask silly questions in an offensive way.

oopoop because I used the word "baby" you want to interpret differently my question but you know exactly what I refer to. So just answer. You can use the word "fetus" if the word "baby" is too endearing to you. From your answer I can get that I'm probably right. The cherished privacy of medical abortions is because of guilty feelings.

So you think that when a woman is having an abortion at 7 or 8 weeks, she is thinking, "Oh! I am a killer of babies! I hope no one sees me!" Maybe that's what you would be thinking. Maybe you have no concept of "Get this thing out of me!" Maybe your little fetus is a precious treasure, not an infestation of your private space. Maybe you simply cannot grasp the concept that killing a fetus that you don't want, that you feel is violating you, that is making you retch in disgust because it is eating you from inside, is a real relief. And a medical abortion is like a really bad period -- or have you never felt the incredible relief of getting your period and knowing that you aren't knocked up after all? Any period is a wonderful period when you don't want to be pregnant. Cramps, vomiting, paid -- anything is better than having a disgusting little slug chewing on your insides. Why should you go and have surgery when it's just as easy to have a late period induced? There is no shame in having an abortion. There is incredible shame in having no concept of not wanting to be pregnant.

I think that often it is the case that a woman would rather have an abortion in the comfort of her own home, with her familiar things around her where she feels safe. Also, a medical abortion may feel more natural because it is more like a miscarriage and there are no medical instruments involved. Also, until they actually have the medical abortion, they probably have no concept of how painful it is. I imagine it's one of those things that one thinks, "Oh I'll manage, it can't be that bad" because they can't imagine the pain. Bit like childbirth really...lol!

Since surgical abortion is less painful with less bleeding and cramping then doesn't it make sense that we'd have less women who had a surgical abortion worried and asking about cramping, bleeding, and vomiting in a support forum?

People don't normally go out looking for advice and help if they don't need it.

I agree with Jules. It seems more natural with all the pain and bleeding. Plus isn't it cheaper to go the medical route?

Plus with the pills, especially in a country where it's illegal, woman may not know how to take them. So they come on here seeking advice and they usually get it.

Medical is less invasive. You don't have to be on a table under big lights with people working on you. You take the medicine and deal with it where you feel comfortable. Many women do this at home in the comfort of their bed or couch with a heating pad and maybe a loved one.

Yes, it's more painful. But I think it has less to do with guilt and more to do with comfort. They want to feel safe and secure in their own enviroment.

I also feel that it has a lot to do with the fear of the extremist pro-lifers. Some of them can get pretty nasty, so if all you have to do is go in, take one pill in there, get out in 5 minutes, and go home and take the rest....it just seems safer. NA, there is no need to be nasty. We know your views quite well, but calling women who have made the choice to abort "killers" is stooping down pretty low, almost to the point of our "resident extremist". Who are you to judge...why do you even care? Is it directly affecting you? Do you really think women do it at home to avoid guilt? Most women who abort aren't going to be feeling guilt, regardless of where it is done, unless they were unsure in the first place. And the women who are unsure should think and think until they have made up their minds one way or the other. There is no going back. But I think the general consensus is that most women feel relief, some do feel guilty, but those, like I said, are usually the ones who didn't stop and rethink.
And if you were really paying attention to the forums and the posts, you would know that most women actually recommend the surgical procedure vs the medical. It's done faster, and you get the added benefit of twilight anesthesia. What I don't understand is why you think medical is so much easier, how it lets women feel guilty of "baby killing" privately. I think, if we wanted the easy way out, we would probably opt for the surgical. In, out, done, no pain...seems easier than waiting...what...is it up to two weeks? I'm not sure, but I do know that the entire waiting time usually involves cramping, bleeding, diarhhea, vomiting...if I ever had an abortion, I'd definitly opt for surgical. And I know my doctor wouldn't think any less of me. Maybe you should look up ethical medical practices. I do believe a doctor who makes a rude comment regarding a sound personal medical decision, could find themselves in a lawsuit or in front of the board...
Like Aya said, its more about comfort. And like I said, fear does play a role too. And I am not talking about fear of feeling guilty. It is the fear of being judged about a decison NO one has the right to judge you on. After all, do they know you? Do they know why? Is it their business to know why? If you cannot answer yes, then take your nose out. That's my philosopy.

You know and the thing is that these women do seem to be aware that surgical is easier but still they choose the medical which is what doesn't make sense.

I try to imagine the situation, going to a doctor and tell him, you know I want to get rid of this life that is growing inside of me..

I did you a favor, NA, and corrected your question for you.

The same exact thing could be said about going to get surgery to have cancer removed from your body. Cancer is alive, and a tumor is very simlar to an embryo.

"Doctor, I want to get rid of this life that is growing inside of me."

"Lionel Larue1 and his team at the Institut Curie are studying how cells, and in particular epithelial cells, acquire their capacity to move around the body. This phenomenon occurs during both embryonic development and in certain tumor cells, which in part explains why oncogenesis is sometimes described as the "mirror image" of embryogenesis."

Aochris nice try but everybody is well aware than a human embryo and cancer tumor are two very different things. Cancer poses no shame as it is a disease.

I don't know anyone who has had an abortion and feels ashamed of it. Just because you don't go announcing something to the world, doesn't mean you are ashamed. You know, like if I had thrush or something -- I wouldn't necessarily want everyone to know about it.

I had an abortion at six weeks, and have never thought of it as a "baby". It wasn't to me. Guilt was not even a feeling that came into consideration, then or since.

I chose surgical over medical because I am very sensitive to medications and the efficacy of the abortion pills were not proven at that time (it was 2004 I think?). I also wanted it done in one day at one time with medical professionals. I did not have sedation, again a choice I made because I have a very high pain tolerance and a very low medication tolerance.

I think people choose the pill because of the privacy factor. Or they are unable to get a ride to a clinic, or fear their parents will find out. I think the pills are cheaper, but am not entirely sure. There are a myriad of reasons to take a pill versus surgery. It's easier. Like no one wants to diet and exercise, they want to take a pill instead.

But that's the thing Birch, the surgery is actually the easier way. The pill is the long painful way. Who wants to feel like bleeding to death for hours? Privacy is certainly the only benefit. So privacy better than no pain? Like if you ask me have an epidural or not at the time of ldelivery? I certainly have choosen to have the epidural, no pain is the logic choice.

I do understand that women overseas or where abortion is illegal they have no choice other than pills. It's just the ones who have both options that I wonder.

Because it's taking a pill in the comfort of your own home (alone if you wish) versus being on a table in a hospital or clinic with your feet up in stirrups being worked on by other people. Medical abortion is less invasive, and probably cheaper.

I'm not convinced that the surgery is the easier way, though. There is discomfort for both, but privacy only for one.

I am also not convinced that no pain is always the logical choice, either. I am sure there are many women who do not choose to have an epidural. I would not choose an epidural, I can tell you that right now! Eeeeach! Needle in your spine, odd unnatural numbness? I would rather have the pain!

Also, since many women choose abortion because the cost of having a baby is so high, it is reasonable to assume that is part of their motivation for pill versus surgery. I read $300 for the pills, and surgical is at least $500. I'm sure that probably varies widely.

Unlike you, doctors who practice ethics, are non-judgemental and do not think of women who choose abortion as evildoers. Maybe you shouldn't judge...you might go to hell for it..at least according to your bible. Get off your high-horse, NA. You are no better than anyone else. I carried my kids, had them, and have had abortions that were medically necessary...tubal pregnancies risked my life. I am not going to judge those who feel abortion is their best option...its not MY place, nor is it yours. And its none of your business.

If anyone is actually interested in a genuine answer to the question, why choose medical and why choose surgical, here is a useful summary from the patient guidelines of the UCSF medical centre -- ie this is not from a site having anything to do with abortion, so can be see as pretty well impartial:

Surgical:
It requires fewer office visits
The procedure takes a short amount of time
It is more effective than medical abortion (less risk of an incomplete procedure)
Women usually do not have heavy bleeding at home

Medical:
It can be used in the earliest weeks of pregnancy
It requires no surgery
It requires no anesthesia
It has the potential for greater privacy
Some women feel it gives them greater control over their bodies
It may feel more "natural" for some women