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Abortion/7weeks since abortion

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Expert: - 10/17/2008


Question
It has been seven weeks since i had my abortion and IM STILL bleeding. I just recently started getting blood clots and i get really bad cramps only when i seem to to active, such as when im working and walking around. I haven't stoped bleeding since i got the procedure done, its not heavy bleeding but when im active the bleeding is very heavy and cramps are horrible. Is this something i should be concered about, or it it just another step to the long recovery?

Answer
Hi Merri,
I am assuming you had a surgical abortion.  If you had a medical abortion, or the abortion pill, this pattern of bleeding sounds completely normal.  If you had a surgical abortion, this is not normal, and you should get evaluated.  This sounds like "retained tissue" a fairly common and harmless problem that happens after abortion.  Sometimes after the procedure a clot develops, or a small amount of tissue remains.  This tissue usually passes naturally, but with some women, it stubbornly clings to the uterus and causes a small amount of continuing bleeding and clots as you're describing.  The treatment is to wait it out, or to have another procedure. You should get evaluated by the office where you got the procedure done.  They should not charge more to take care of it.  
I hope this is helpful,
Doctor Joan
EarlyAbortion.com
New York City

Abortion

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Doctor Early Options

Expertise

We are a group of family doctors who provide abortion care for over a decade. We can answer any health or medical related questions about early abortion, including the aspiration procedure, the abortion pill (RU486), or surgical abortion. We run a practice called Early Options, located in New York City: http://www.EarlyAbortionOptions.com. The practice is dedicated to making early abortion part of mainstream medical care. There are other family doctors around the United States who practice a similar approach to early abortion care: see http://www.EarlyAbortion.com. Please do not ask "private" questions so that other women can learn from your experience. Please tell me what country you are from so that we can better help you.

Experience

Experience in the area: We are all board certified family doctors who have special training in early abortion and reproductive health. Dr. Joan Fleischman is the founder of Early Options (earlyabortionoptions.com) dedicated to making early abortion part of mainstream medical care. Organizations: National Abortion Federation American Association of Family Physicians

Education/Credentials
Dr. Joan Fleischman, Founder M.D., Harvard Medical School M.P.A., John F. Kennedy School of Government

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