AboutPat G Expertise I can help women with the consideration of their decision, and with resources, and I can share my own experiences as the mother of seven and grandmother of six. My approach is to show love and concern, and help women work through the issues, emotional, spiritual, practical. I also help women deal with boyfriend and family issues.
Experience I have been working with women who are considering abortion for several years. I also work with women who have had abortions. Our family has also experienced adoption, so I can talk about that as well.
Education/Credentials I am mostly self-taught. I also studied midwifery for awhile. I have spent years doing research on this topic. In fact, I have been doing research and working in this area since the early 1970's. I have been helping women online for a few years, under the guidance of a woman who was formally training in counseling.
Question I am a healthy 23 year old woman, and I had a surgical abortion at 6 weeks gestation in the first week of March of this year. My periods have always been regular, and have continued to be regular after the procedure. However, I experienced some light bleeding/spotting today after intercourse with my fiance. We use condoms for contraception. There has been no pain with the spotting, no cramps, etc. I have never experienced mid-cycle bleeding before. The first day of my last period was 11 June (about two weeks ago). Should I be concerned?
Answer Hi, Alyson,
You should be concerned about having had an abortion, because there are a lot of long term consequences. Don't expect your body not to do weird things from time to time. That said, when a woman has intercourse, her uterus contracts. If there is any blood, and the cervix is open, it could come out. If you experience only one such episode, I don't think it's cause for concern. However, if it happens repeatedly, you might want to consult a doctor about it.
By the way, condoms don't work. If you aren't prepared to have a baby right now, then you should either abstain, or learn to tell when you are fertile. If you learn to tell, it is "safe" to have sex a week after ovulation, usually. You have to chart faithfully, and you can't be using any hormones.
