AboutDoctor Joan Expertise I am a family doctor who has provided abortion care for over a decade. I can answer any health or medical related questions about early abortion, including the aspiration procedure, the abortion pill (RU486), or surgical abortion. I run a practice called Early Options, located in New York City: 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 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 I can better help you.
Experience Experience in the area: I am a board certified family doctor who has been providing abortion services for 12 years. I am the founder of Early Options (earlyabortion.com) dedicated to making early abortion part of mainstream medical care.
Organizations:
National Abortion Federation
American Association of Family Physicians
Education/Credentials: Harvard Medical School
Question QUESTION: I did not follow medical advice and had sex (with a condom) 48 hours after having the surgical vacuum D&C procedure, terminating a pregnancy at 7 weeks. Having sex was not painful and at the time, I thought that the post procedural bleeding had stopped altogether. Again, my boyfriend and I had sex the following 2 days. Now, 6 days after the procedure, I am having significant cramping, red and brown colored bleeding, and am concerned about infection. I do not have a fever, but I am feeling a consistent dull pain in my lower abdomen. (I did complete a 3 day course of antibiotics immediately following the procedure.) My ultra fear is for the consequences any of this could have on my future ability to have a baby.
ANSWER: Kate,
You should definitely get in to see a doctor if you are having persistent dull pain after a surgical abortion. If you do have an infection, it is easily treated with antibiotics. Risks for future pregnancy are related to infections that are not treated promptly enough, so they become severe - so you should get an appointment as soon as possible. Fever is not a reliable sign of infection at this stage.
I hope this is helpful,
Doctor Joan
Earlyabortion.com
Earlyabortionoptions.com
New York City
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you. I went to see a doctor today and after giving me a physical exam, including an ultrasound, she did not see any signs of infection and did not think that further antibiotics were necessary at this time. I am still having a lot of cramping, minor bleeding, and do not feel well at all. So, I am still worried.
Answer Dear Kate,
It is good that you were evaluated - they should have been able to tell if there was an infection present that needed antibiotics. Did they have an explanation for why you weren't feeling well? The good news is that an infection is the only significant risk to future pregnancies - so if you do not have an infection, there is nothing serious that could be going on - and you should be able to get pregnant when you are ready. Sometimes irregular bleeding and discharge can go on for weeks after an abortion, normally. These symptoms are usually normal, and do not indicate a problem.
I hope this is helpful and that you feel better,
Doctor Joan
Earlyabortion.com
Earlyabortionoptions.com
New York City
