Expert: Shan Yi Sheng - 1/5/2009

Question
I don't know how me and my partner could be so careless. I was pregnant and confused and decided to do the medical abortion because I wasn't sure mentally I could handle the after effects of the surgical abortion. I went for a medical abortion on 12/3/08 at 7 1/2 weeks pregnant. I came home and used the pills as the doctor directed and nothing happened. The doctor had given me the injection. According to the doctor I saw, I am a rare case because the medical abortion did not work. I went back on 12/16/08 and they gave me the option of having the surgery. At that point, I just wanted it all to be over with. I decided to go through with the surgical abortion and went back a week later (because I had both procedures, the doctor wanted to keep the original appointment). Everything checked out just fine and the pregnancy test they administered stated that I was not pregnant. However, last night 1/4/09 I had unprotected sex (and still havent recieved my regular period yet..)..I am concerned because the doctor instructed to wait to take my birth control until I get back on my regular cycle. So, I haven't recieved my regular cycle..I had unprotected sex (with the pull-out method)..and as soon as I woke up this morning I went to the pharmacy and bout plan B. I'm just worried and I wanted to know if because I haven't recieved my regular cycle if Plan B will even be effective. Plus, after abortion I know we are pretty much all in the dark of when our regular cycle occurs. I'm pro-choice, but I never thought I would have to get an abortion and I just pray that I will never have to do it again. Help PLEASE! THANKS!!

Answer
Dear Mare,
of course you are worried.
First things first: the medical abortion, promoted by the dealers and resellers, does not work in quite a large percentage. This is very seldom told to the women. So not "very rare" at all.
2.After this "therapy" it might take a long time - up to 3 months - before periods are regular again.
3.The pull out method has an important failure rate. Why not use condoms ?
4.Plan B is never positive the day after you have sex.
5.So I can not give you a better advise than use
 condoms until your period are regular again.
right ?
bests,
dr Shan