Expert: Pat G - 8/25/2011

Question
I was 7 weeks pregnant when I got an abortion done using abortion pills. I got my abortion done on 22nd July. The bleeding had become minimal and reduced to spotting in a week but then me and my boyfriend had sex, as we had no knowledge of the post-abortion care. I have also been carrying around heavy things due to the nature of my daily work. Since then I started bleeding again and have mild pain in my lower back and vaginal area. Is this normal? What should I do next?

Answer
Hello, Kriti,

Did you see anything other than just blood? At 7 weeks, a pill abortion doesn't always work.

If you don't want to have another abortion, you need to stop having sex. Your boyfriend doesn't have the right to put you at risk like he is doing. If he isn't willing to protect you from the fear of pregnancy, you deserve someone better.

I am disappointed no one told you about after care, but selling pills without any valid instructions is common in India, unfortunately. The sale of these pills is very irresponsible.

It's been a month since you took the pills. I don't know that lifting heavy things should pose a problem. However, there is nothing normal about having an abortion, and neither is there anything normal about what happens afterwards. The activities you have engaged in could obviously start the bleeding again. You need to be very careful, because women are bleeding to death after pill abortions. I recommend you eat foods with red hot peppers in them, to keep the bleeding to a minimum. If the bleeding becomes heavy, you need to see a doctor. So, take it easy, do what you must for your work, but don't lift while you are having problems with pain. If they are unwilling to find you work at your job that doesn't involve lifting, ask the doctor about it.

Please keep me informed of how you do. Take care.