Expert: Doctor Early Options - 12/20/2010

Question
Hello Dr. Fleischman,
I had an abortion on October 16 of this year. I had no spotting for the first two days, then spotted pink and brown for the next two weeks. My husband and I decided to abort because it was an unhealthy pregnancy. We have a disabled child and did not want to go through with another stressful pregnancy. Since then we have had unprotected intercourse. My pregnancy symptoms had fully went away a week and a half after the procedure, but then returned a week before my period was due. At first, we used the withdrawal method. As this method had worked for us for 8 years prior to this pregnancy. I had a foul odor when the spotting was present, but went away during intercourse and on the days I did not have any spotting. About a week and a half later the spotting and odor just completely stopped. I was due for my first period on November 12. On the 13th I had a little spotting in the morning but nothing. On the 15th I spotted late in the day with very mild cramping. On Thursday morning I thought that my cycle had finally begun so I wore a pad, but all through the day I had not soaked one. There was very little dark brown discharge on the pad. When I wiped, I there was bright red blood. I did however pass a few small clots that day. Friday was another repeat of Thursday only then the pads had a little bit more of drainage that only happened when I cramped which where on and off throughout the day, and I passed a stringy clot that what mucousy. That night I showered thinking it would help bring down my period. On Saturday I woke with a soaked pad, and I continued to soak one more before the day was done. I had cramps that came and went. Usually when I get my period I have cramps all the way through. On Sunday there was nothing only red to pink when I wipe. I have had some mild cramping on and off nothing else. Also I have had on and off headaches since Thursday, but no fever at all.
My question is one, could I have an infection? Is this my first period after the procedure because it only lasted for 3 days, or is it something else that I should be concerned about?  Is there a possibility that I got pregnant again considering the method we used?

Answer
You may have bacterial Vaginosis.  That is easily treated.  It is not a sexually transmitted infection nor related to the procedure.  

The withdrawal method is not reliable for contraception.  So you could be pregnant again.  You should perform a pregnancy test.  However, this sounds like your period.  The cramps and bleeding pattern can be a normal pattern after an abortion.