Expert: Doctor Early Options - 10/5/2009

Question
My girlfriend had an abortion a few days ago. It was a surgical procedure and she was around 7 weeks pregnant. Is there any chance a baby would survive, how do you know if it was successful? She has had bleeding and some cramping. I also wondered if the abortion did not work could the baby keep growing or would you just have to perform another surgical abortion. I am worried that it may not have worked and that she will not have another one and the baby will continue to develop. I am too young to be a father.
Thanks

Answer
Dear Will,
It would be highly unlikely, but possible that a surgical procedure would fail.  While 7 weeks is considered an early abortion, by that time they should have felt confident that the procedure was successful. They should have checked the tissue after the abortion, to confirm the success of the procedure.  

The best way for you to tell if an abortion is successful, is to see if her pregnancy symptoms are decreasing.  If she was nauseous before the procedure, she should be noticing, within days to a week, that the nausea is going away.  

If you are still concerned, you can have her call the clinic (you cannot call as they will not give you medical information).  It is normal and common to feel worried, so if she calls them, they should respond to her questions. They should have either checked an ultrasound after the procedure, or they should have sent the tissue to a lab.  By now, they should have the results.  

I hope this is helpful,
Doctor Joan
EarlyAbortionOptions.com
New York City