We knew, then, that we had been scammed. Feeling betrayed, we messaged the FB seller, requesting even a partial refund, but he simply read our message and ignored us.

 

 

In the end, this experience taught us valuable lessons—about resilience, the importance of trustworthy support, and the reality of tough decisions. While we continue to heal, we hold on to the memory of our baby and the lessons learned, carrying them with us into the future.

 

 

 

Our unexpected journey

My boyfriend and I are both students, so life was already busy and challenging. On August 3, 2024, a home pregnancy test revealed the unexpected—we were going to be parents. At first, we were both in shock, processing what this meant for our lives. But soon, a strange happiness crept in. It felt surreal that we had created a life, something so precious and innocent, together. However, the practicalities set in fast. We were still students, uncertain of our financial future, and we knew we couldn’t offer the stability and opportunities that our child would deserve.

 

 

A first attempt that went wrong

Determined to make the best decision in a difficult situation, we turned to the internet and found a Facebook seller who seemed somewhat more legitimate than others. After messaging him, we received a package he claimed was “genuine” medication by the second week of August. Along with it came detailed instructions. Looking back, we realize how vulnerable we were, but at that moment, desperation clouded our judgment.

On August 21, we followed his instructions, believing the process would be simple because the pregnancy was still in the early stages—about 3 to 4 weeks along. The procedure involved a “hilot” method. We ended up doing it for almost 12 hours, physically exhausting ourselves in the hope that it would work. Since there was no visible outcome, we convinced ourselves that the baby must have passed naturally without much bleeding, reassuring each other with thoughts like, “baka sumama na sa pagdumi ko.” We informed the seller right after, and he responded casually, replied with the same assumption.

Days turned into weeks, and my symptoms persisted. We clung to hope, still thinking the procedure might have worked, unaware that we had been scammed. Then, one day while scrolling through TikTok, I stumbled across a reference to Project486, a website offering support and sharing stories of others in similar situations. Curious and a little skeptical, I visited their site and read through the experiences of people who had been deceived by similar sellers. It was heartbreaking but eye-opening. We knew, then, that we had been scammed. Feeling betrayed, we messaged the FB seller, requesting even a partial refund, but he simply read our message and ignored us.

 

Discovering Project486

Our budget was tight after that first purchase, but on August 29, 2024, I sent a message to Project486. Despite our doubts, I felt hopeful. Still, it took until October 12 for us to reach out again, as we were dealing with a financial setback caused by the initial scam. This time, I messaged Sir John from Project486 on WhatsApp. He replied promptly, with a professionalism and compassion that immediately stood out. Even though we couldn’t commit to buying the medications immediately, Sir John patiently answered all of our questions and concerns. He didn’t try to pressure us or rush us, which made a difference. For the first time in weeks, we felt like someone truly cared.

Sir John explained the use of mifepristone and misoprostol, two medicines that, used together, would allow us to take this step safely and effectively. His willingness to help and share clear, detailed information reassured us. Unlike the previous seller, he seemed genuine, and his transparency about the process helped us feel like we were finally making an informed decision.

With Project486’s generous discount options, we were able to afford the medication. But understandably, our previous trauma made us skeptical. We asked Sir John numerous questions—some of them repetitive—but he answered every single one with patience, understanding our anxiety. In the days leading up to the procedure, he sent us detailed instructions and information about what to expect, so we felt thoroughly prepared.

 

 

The procedure with Project486

We began the procedure, following Sir John’s guidance carefully. On Day 1 and Day 2, after taking mifepristone, I experienced no bleeding or unusual symptoms. Sir John had already informed us that this was normal, which helped us stay calm. By Day 3, it was time to take misoprostol, a more active step that involved strict instructions like lying down for 8 hours after taking the medication. Naturally, we were anxious and had a lot of last-minute questions, but Sir John continued to provide reassurance and clarity.

At around midnight on Day 3, I was allowed to stand and move around, but nothing had happened yet, and our anxiety started to rise. Around 4 a.m., I felt mild cramping and saw some light bleeding. Sir John reassured us that these were signs the process was progressing. At 5:30 a.m., the cramps intensified, reaching a level that was nearly unbearable. I messaged Sir John, asking if I could take pain relief, and in that moment, he remembered that I had mentioned an allergy to certain painkillers during our first consultation. His attention to that detail made us feel safe, as we saw how much he genuinely cared about our well-being.

By 6 a.m., the pain was at its peak, and I felt a tightening in my stomach. That’s when the placenta passed, followed by the baby, intact. It was an overwhelming moment, emotionally and physically. I was prepared, wearing a heavy-flow pad, so it minimized the mess. The experience, though painful, was manageable with my partner’s support and guidance.

 

 

Reflecting on the loss and recovery

The procedure was challenging, and we are still in the process of healing both physically and emotionally. Losing our first child, even under these circumstances, leaves a unique ache. Part of us feels regret, wishing things could have been different. But there is also a sense of peace, knowing that our baby is free from the difficulties we couldn’t protect them from.

In the end, this experience taught us valuable lessons—about resilience, the importance of trustworthy support, and the reality of tough decisions. While we continue to heal, we hold on to the memory of our baby and the lessons learned, carrying them with us into the future.