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Abortion/cramping, bleeding, abortion, retained products, complication of abortion

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Expert: - 5/13/2009


Question
Hello,
I am 37 and had an abortion on April 1. (6 weeks ago) I am still spotting and passing clots. One clot was the size of a plum. I started having cramping on my right ovary and right side of my back. It comes and goes and is just enough pain to be annoying. I haven't had a fever at all during the entire six weeks, but have not stopped bleeding either.
Do you feel that I will have to repeat this procedure?

Thank YOU

Answer
Dear Michelle,
The cramping and bleeding with clots that you are describing weeks after an abortion is a minor complication called "retained products."  It basically means that you either have some small amount of tissue that did not come out during the original procedure, or that you had some bleeding after the procedure that formed a clot and did not pass.  There is more information on this at: http://www.earlyabortionoptions.com/abortion-aftercare.html
You will have the option to either wait and let it pass on its own, or to repeat a procedure.  The good news is that either way you will be fine.  There are no long term consequences to retained products - so it's really just a matter of whether you want to tolerate the cramping or get it taken care of.  A procedure will make the cramping and bleeding go away immediately.  
I hope this is helpful,
Doctor Joan
Early Abortion Options.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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