This is in response to the polite group of advocates who often gather in front of our local CVS to demonstrate their desire to have CVS’s pharmacy cease their distribution of the “abortion pill.”
A few years ago, I experienced what’s called a “missed miscarriage.” At Week 6, the embryo stopped growing, however, this was not noticed until my Week 9 medical appointment. My body hadn’t quite noticed (thus the “missed” part of the miscarriage) that growth had ceased; the pregnancy had ceased. At around Week 11, my body still had yet to complete the miscarriage cycle, putting me at risk for infection, as well as preventing my spouse and me from trying again for another pregnancy.
As such, my doctor advised me to take medication to invite a “spontaneous abortion,” which would help my body along. It was either this or go through a D and C (dilation and curettage) procedure, where tissue is scraped off the sides of my uterus. To me, this seemed incredibly uncomfortable and unpleasant, to say the least. So, I went the medication route, which is usually a dose of Misoprostol and Mifepristone. Like my other medications, I accessed this at our local CVS Pharmacy.
Absolutely, I acknowledge that, for a variety of reasons, receiving an abortion is not the same as experiencing a miscarriage. Nonetheless, the medical intervention can be similar. This is to say, if we advocate ceasing the distribution of “abortion pills,” we cease the ability to care for women experiencing other reproductive traumas such as miscarriages.
This is not to condemn “pro-life” or “anti-abortion” advocates, nor is this written to cause a stir among our “pro-choice” community. This is more so a call for everyone to consider how access or a lack of access to medication impacts the health of everyone.
As we advocate on behalf of others, we need to make mindful choices about what, exactly, we’re asking for.
Ashley Knowlton
Crescent City
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