Expert: Shan Yi Sheng - 8/30/2011

Question
QUESTION: hi, Dr. Shan,
     i performed non-medical abortion two weeks ago when i had a 6-week pregnancy. Things went well after that: passing out big clots, bleeding relatively heavily (but not very) for the next four days or so, then bleeding slowed down, red bloods became blown liquids (like the end of a period); no cramps, no severe pains, just some migraines. i did my follow-up exam two days ago and the ultrasound showed the pregnancy had gone. As I felt relieved, bleeding started to become heavier again, and red blood came back, and i felt very tired. i am very concerned about this. Does another cycle of bleeding signal something bad, or is it perfectly normal? Should I take more antibiotics (i've finished all the antibiotics the doctor had prescribed)?
      And, my another concern is: during the follow-up exam, a nurse in her internship was doing it first, she tried several times but could not located the right place to take the picture, and then an experienced nurse who was watching her took over and took the photo; i didn't feel very uncomfortable during that process, but could it possibly be the reason for my re-bleeding? if yes, how should i do?
      Thank you very much!

best
angela

ANSWER: Hi dear Angela,
In your question I miss how many weeks your pregnancy was advanced.
The bleeding is related to your constitution as well as to the pregnancy duration and the method used.
If you are losing to much blood you 'd better go back to get some uterotonic drug (misoprostol or
ergometrin) No need for more antibiotics. The making of the US cannot cause the bleeding however
unexperienced the nurse is.
Remember that bleeding patterns after a abortion are unpredictable.  So are the coming periods for a while.
Hope the bleeding stopped already.
Bests,
Dr Shan


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you, Dr. Shan.
I mentioned that my pregnancy was 6 weeks when i did the abortion. my bleeding right now is not extremely heavy, but it feels very much like a period, the slight pain coming it also feels like a period. Can this be a period, only two weeks after the abortion?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Angela again,
I said; Remember that bleeding patterns after a abortion are unpredictable.  So are the coming periods for a while.
So I cannot say if this is a period or not.
Have patience and do not worry.
If you take the contraceptive pill, you will be regular much faster again.
Goodbye for now,
DR Shan