Expert: Doctor Early Options - 7/25/2011

Question
Hi Dr.
I had an abortion almost a month ago and I took the pill, Everything went well with that, after so much pain, two weeks later i went in for the check up to make sure everything went okay and the doctor said everything looked good. He gave me birth control and i started taking it that day.  I've been feeling fine ever since and have had no pain at all. Yesterday I started noticing like this light brown discharge and it got a little worse towards the end of the day, and today the discharge got even darker brown and a little heavier and in the morning i felt like i had period cramps, I thought it was strange and am worried as to what it may be, I did some research and have read that it is normal to bleed somewhat after an abortion, but almost a month later? I read that it is old blood that probably didn't come out is coming out now.  The cramps went away through out the day, but still the dark brown discharge. Is this normal or should i call the doctor? Thank You - Diane.

Answer
This is very normal.  You can have bleeding up to 6 weeks after the medications abortion.  Cramping is the way the uterus clears itself of any blood.  The fact that it resolved and you passed dark blood is normal.  The ultrasound had to be near normal for the doctor to say it was clear.  If you have any further bleeding where you pass large clots, have severe cramps or have a discharge with odor then you should follow up. We have our patients come in for an ultrasound if they are bleeding past 6 weeks.