Expert: Shan Yi Sheng - 8/31/2007

Question
I was 34-day pregnant and had an medical abortion on 8/10/07. Since the day I took the mifeprex, I took a week worth of doxycycline that was prescribed to me with the misoprostol.  1 week after I took the misoprostol pill, I was still having light bleeding. Sometimes there's blood clots with tissue, sometimes it's like discharge with blood. On 8/25/07, about 2 weeks after the abortion, I had sharp pain in the lower left abdomen for 3-4 minutes, then I started having heavy flow of bleeding again (soaking 1 maxi pad in 2-3 hours). It went on for a couple days. Then I went back for the follow-up visit on 8/27/07 and the doc confirmed that the pregnancy has been passed. Until today, 8/31/07, I'm still having spotting and sometimes even new blood with blood clots. Is this normal? Please help.

Answer
Hi Cheryl,
these medical abs are terrible. Its just easier for the doc and good for the reseller of the drug. But its outcome is unpredictable for a week or two. Heavy bleeding is normal. Spotting can continue for a longer period.
Alas, this is "normal".
I never prescribe these drugs.
No worry; its over now.
Bye, dr Shan