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Abortion/Positive pregnancy test 13 weeks after medical abortion

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Expert: - 12/9/2010


Question
I had a medical abortion 13 weeks ago on 09/10, and returned to the clinic 2 weeks later for an ultrasound to confirm termination. I bled heavily for almost a month and have had 2 mentrual cycles since the procedure. I am now expecting my period any day and took a home pregnancy test today which came up positive. I have not had any type of sexual relations since July 31st when I became pregnant to begin with. Is it normal for a test to show positive this long after a medical abortion or did the abortion pill and subsequent ultrasound 2 weeks later fail? I am so confused!

Answer
Hello, DST,

If I calculate things correctly, you about 6 weeks from conception when you took the pills. That is really too late for them to do anything. I wouldn't be able to tell you why the ultrasound confirmed termination; it doesn't make sense. That is, not unless the technician lied to you, which is entirely possible, since abortionists do not like to admit they made a mistake and caused harm.

If you are still pregnant from the time before the abortion, you should have more symptoms than just the positive pregnancy test. Do you have any other symptoms? If you are not overweight, and you are still pregnant, you should be feeling movement by now. You should be able to lie on the bed on your stomach and feel a lump where your uterus is. If you are overweight, it will be later when you feel movement. Let me know if you feel any of these things.

The pills could change your hormones and cause confusion. But I will need more information before I can say more about what is happening.

Please let me know.

If you are still pregnant, please don't do anything about it. Let it run its course. Abortion is very dangerous at this point, although it is always dangerous. Instead, you can get help with whatever made abortion seem attractive to begin with. You can find an organization near you that will help you by going to this web site:

http://www.optionline.org/

There is a link on the right that leads you to lists.

Take care.

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Pat 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 eleven. 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. I am not a doctor, but I have done extensive medical research, so I may be able to help with information. I am female. When you write, if you are or were pregnant, please tell me how far along you were or are, and if you have had an abortion, please tell me what kind. Thank you.

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.

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