Medical Abortion Forum - Post abortion bleeding and clotting

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Q: Post abortion bleeding and clotting

asked by: CAmusician on January 19th, 2008

New User

Hello and thank you in advance for your help!
I had a medical abortion through Planned Parenthood (in California)on Dec. 13-14. Everything appeared to proceed as expected and I felt that I felt well within the "normal" range as far as symptoms/bleeding go during the process. Bleeding let up after several days and I was experiencing intermittent mild bleeding episodes for a couple of weeks after the abortion.
Given that it was right before Christmas and my schedule has been very hectic, I didn't go to a follow up appointment as recommended. Everything seemed to be going fine so I assumed that the abortion was sucessful.

On Jan. 11th, what appears to be a regular period began and I understand that it is considered normal for the first period or two to be heavier and longer than pre-abortion cycles so I wasn't overly worried by the heavy bleeding and LARGE clots that I was passing for several days. Now, over a week later, I'm still bleeding quite heavily although the clots are considerably smaller. I am experiencing occasional abdominal cramping as well, similar to what I experience during a regular period.

How long is this supposed to last and when do I seek medical assistance? I have no signs of infection and have no fever although I am a little weak from the blood loss going on for so long. I'm on multi-vitamins with iron to help off-set this a little though.

Thanks!

Replies(10)

Carifairy

replied on January 19th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

Did you have MEDICAL or surgical abortion?

IF it was a medical abortion, you could have had some tissue left inside of your uterus, and it is now coming out.

Women ALWAYS need to go to a follow up visit to ensure that the abortion is successful.

CAmusician

replied on January 19th, 2008

New User

it was a Medical abortion- although after learning what I'm reading here, I wish I would've gone surgical. Planned Parenthood was very helpful and sensitive to my experience, however, it seemed that if a person is less than 7 weeks since their last period, medical is the way to go and surgical is really for those who are seeking an abortion after they're farther along. To their defense, I wanted the medical abortion and didn't even look into the surgical because I wanted it to be "less invasive" and more like a miscarriage.
Lesson learned.
As far as going back, like I said, I avoided it- using the holidays as my excuse and since I was no longer having morning sickness and other signs of being pregnant (I'm 39 and have two daughters ages 18 and 16 but still remember what it feels like to be pregnant. ha, ha.) and since there were no signs of secondary infection, I assumed I was ok.
Is there other indications/symptoms that something is not normal besides the heavy period? Assuming that it IS my period that is?
Thank you!

PenguinsRus

replied on January 19th, 2008

Moderator

If you are bleeding, you are not pregnant.

I wouldn't worry too much, although for future reference you really should go back for a check up to make sure all is well and everything is released to be positive you don't need a d&c.

If you still have pain or are worried, feel free to go back in for a check up!

Carifairy

replied on January 19th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

NOT TRUE.

You can bleed during a normal pregnancy for a variety of reasons.

Surgical is WAY better than medical, IMO.

I have had 3 abortion, and surgical IS the way to go.

I do not like PP for abortions, because they do not offer the same services that many other clinics offer.

I had IV sedation for my abortion, so I was OUT. It was 100% painless.

I also work in an abortion clinic.

Tylanas

replied on January 19th, 2008

Especially eHealthy

Basically, the best advice is to go back in for an ultrasound to make sure all of the pregnancy material is gone.

CAmusician

replied on January 19th, 2008

New User

Thanks everyone for your responses. I know that I'm not pregnant anymore- that isn't what I was really worried about. I guess I'm just trying to differentiate my first post-abortion period from the possibility of not having completed the whole abortion process as I originally thought I had. Also, the clotting has decreased significantly and just when I think the bleeding is slowing down- invariably I'll do housework or work out or something highly physical and it gets heavy again. Is there any possibility of hemmoraging (abnormal) that can be associated with the medical abortion 5 weeks after the fact?
Not sure if I explained this clearly or not- I mean like uterine rupture (in medical abortion cases) or something of that nature?
Thanks!

Tylanas

replied on January 19th, 2008

Especially eHealthy

I'm not sure, but it does seem possible that part of the placenta could still be attached, and that would basically act like an open wound. A uterine rupture is unlikely from a properly done medical abortion, those only tend to happen when someone is taking too much of the medicine improperly.

Carifairy

replied on January 19th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

If your uterus ruptured back then, you would be VERY VERY ILL now.

Medical abortion causes MORE bleeding afterwards than surgical does, and it is normal for women to bleed and spot for 3 weeks.

You could be starting your normal period.

Kiersten

replied on September 20th, 2009

New User

I had an abortion on August 17th. I went through the normal post-bleeding process for about a week and a half. On September 2nd I started my period. It was spotting for the first 5 days but then went to heavy bleeding and spotting. I am now on day 19 and still have the bleeding and clotting. Does anybody know if this is normal? It sounds like other people have had this problem. I had a medical abortion.

Anom1

replied on November 21st, 2009

New User

Abortion followed by a 2 month period, is this normal?

I had an abortion on sept 12th,2 weeks later I came on my period. It is now 20th November and I still have my period. It varies in flow, whether light or heavy, and in colour also, sometimes it is very red, and other times dark brown. I've had a check up and told it was normal for the bleeding to be prolonged however, after 2 months, and still having a period, does anyone know what this could potentionally be? Or whether it is just natural? Thanks.

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