Expert: Pat G - 3/28/2011

Question
It was 8 week pregnancy when i had manual vaccum aspiration. About 4 weeks later i had light bleeding. Again 4 weeks later i had light bleeding and minimum cramps. I am gaining weight, feeling pain at lower abdomen. Could i be pregnant?

Answer
Hello, Kalpana,

According to what you said, you would currently be 16 weeks. If you had a normal pregnancy, at that point, you would know it. However, you should not be feeling pain in your lower abdomen. The fact that you haven't had any reasonable bleeding also would tend to indicate something isn't right.

I assume from your description that they didn't use a machine, just some kind of suction device that was hand-operated. That being the case, 8 weeks is very late for such a procedure.

Gaining weight could be a result of an emotional response to abortion. You could be eating a little bit more, and it adds up. Eating disturbances is a common problem after abortion. Do you eat for comfort when you are feeling down?

What you need to do is see a doctor. Let him know about the abortion, and ask him to check out your hormones, examine you, check for infection, and do an ultrasound. Nobody will be able to tell you over the internet what is going on with your body. Every woman and every experience is different. Don't go to the person who did the abortion. That person won't want to admit anything went wrong. Find a doctor who knows that abortion is bad medicine, preferably one who has worked with women who have experienced abortion.

A few women have asked about lack of bleeding or very little bleeding long term. At this point, I am still trying to determine what would be the cause of that.

Please let me know what you find out when you go to the doctor. Take care.