Expert: Pat G - 9/26/2011

Question
QUESTION: Dear Doctor,
I recently had my 2.5 week follow up after my medical abortion. I was told at the time that my pregnancy test is still showing positive and that I have not expelled all of the pregnancy, however, I am no longer pregnant based on the ultra sound. I was still bleeding, not heavy and was prescribed Mithergine to stop the bleeding. I was also told that if I have not passed all of the tissue by this coming Wednesday I would have no other choice but to have an aspiration abortion performed which I'm totally against. Since the ultra sound is showing that the pregnacy has ended, how long will I continue to have a positive pregnancy test and how long does it generally take for my body to naturally expell the rest of the pregnacy tissue.  What are my options? I was not offered a second dose of Misiprostol and I've researched and found that this is a potential option. When will my normal period resume and is there a possibility that my body will just not expell the remaining tissue.  Please help, I feel like I'm running out of time and I also feel like the doctors are using scare tactics to force me into having a surgical abortion.  Marie

ANSWER: Hello, marie,

First, please know I am not a doctor. I am a medical researcher.

How far along were you at the time you took the first pills?

Offhand, it sounds like they're handing you a line, because they want some more of your money. Pregnancy tests usually stay positive for a few weeks. If your ultrasound is clear, then they may simply be trying to sell you a second abortion. This is really common, unfortunately. Don't think in terms of taking their word for it that there is still tissue. Get a second opinion.

I do not recommend taking any more Misoprostol. The manufacturer says a pregnant woman should never take it in the first place. It can cause serious problems and even kill a woman. Women bleed to death, develop a ruptured uterus, or develop an infection that can kill within hours.

You really need to talk to a doctor who knows how to deal with this type of situation. There are organizations in Louisiana that can help you. They have connections to doctors and can recommend someone. Under no circumstances should you go back to the person who supplied the pills. They cannot be trusted. To find an organization near you, please visit this web site:

http://www.optionline.org/

It is really important for you to let me know how far along you were. I can tell you more if you do. Please take care of yourself, and keep in touch.

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

QUESTION: Thank you for your response, I was 5.5 weeks pregnant, the clinic is not asking for any additional money however, my concern is will my body naturally expel the rest of the pregnancy tissue, when should I expect a get my next period and how long will my pregnancy test read positive? I've read that you could have a positive pregnancy test for months and your body should expel the rest of the tissues during your next period. Just wondering how true that is, since my ultra sound shows that I'm not pregnant anymore, I was wondering is it necessary to have an aspiration done to get rid of the rest of the tissue.

Answer
Hello, marie,

You're welcome.

At 5.5 weeks, the abortion should have been complete. You are assuming that just because they said so, you HAVE left-over tissue. Maybe you don't. That's why I think you should get a second opinion. If these guys that gave you the pills were practicing good medicine, they wouldn't have given the pills to you in the first place! Abortion is bad medicine in general. A doctor is supposed to weigh the possible consequences of acting against the consequences of not acting. In the case of an abortion of a healthy pregnancy, the possible consequences of not acting are very low. But the possible consequences of doing an abortion are very high. The list of possible complications would make your head swim!

As I said, they cannot be trusted. I'm not quite sure why they want to do an aspiration, in this case, unless they are worried about legal liability. This is fairly common among American doctors. They tend to do unnecessary procedures so that if they get sued, they can say they tried everything. A lot of doctors do this. However, this is not usually in the patient's best interest, because extra procedures carry extra risks.

So again, I recommend you get a second opinion, and I have recommended that you go to the site to find an organization that can recommend somebody.

Please don't let them do anything else to you. If the doctor who gives you a second opinion thinks you need anything additional, then you can decide to let that doctor do it. Please let me know how things go.