Expert: Doctor Early Options - 1/13/2010

Question
hi i just got a medical abortion about 20 days back i stopped bleeding in a couple of days but after an ultra sound the doc told me i still have a little tissue left inside me.Now i have a brown discharge is that ok??

Answer
Dear Tas,
The brown discharge you are describing sounds completely normal 3 weeks after a medical abortion. It is common and normal to have intermittent bleeding or brown discharge for weeks to months after taking the Abortion Pill.  

An early pregnancy consists of two types of tissue. The pregnancy itself is not yet formed under nine weeks of pregnancy, and consists of a gestational sac, filled with fluid. There is also a tissue called "decidua" that lines the cavity of the uterus, and holds the sac in place.  When you have any type of abortion, sometimes the procedure or pill does not completely remove the decidua.  This lining naturally comes out in the next weeks or months.  The brown discharge or tissue you may be seeing is normal and doesn't indicate a problem.  

You need to have an evaluation after a medical abortion by a doctor if 1) the bleeding occurs daily, like a period, for more than 6 weeks; 2) there is a foul odor with the discharge; 3) you have significant cramping; or 4) you continue to have symptoms of pregnancy.  

There is more information on early pregnancy, discharge after abortion, and medical abortion on our website: http://www.earlyabortionoptions.com

I hope this is helpful,
Doctor Joan