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Abortion/Positive Pregnancy Test 5 days after a medical abortion

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Expert: - 11/22/2007


Question
Hi!! I had a medical abortion on the 16th November 2007. I had a clinic appointment 3 days previous to this where they took blood tests did a scan and a smear for any STi's. I was given the option of starting the procedure the next day which I accepted. So I went to the ward on the 14th to take the first pill.  I did not have any symptoms from this. Two days later I went into Hospital. At 9am I inserted the pills into my vagina. By 11am I had cramps and a passed a great deal of blood clots and other stuff. By about 12 midday the nurse told me I had expelled "both products" Im not sure what these are??? and they kept checking my temperature and my blood pressure. I was kept in hospital until 7pm that evening until the bleeding had calmed down.  5 days on and I have just stopped bleeding its very light now and my breasts are beginning slowly to be not so sore.  However I took a drug store pregnancy test yesterday and it came back positive so now im terrified I might still be pregnant even though the nurse said I had passed "both products" I have been told to go to the family planning clinic in three weeks time for a check up but im imagining the worst. Am I worrying unnecessarily?  PS im not having any symptoms such as temp, nausea, diorreah etc only the sore breasts..Please help

Answer
Dear Emma,
There is nothing to be concerned about.  A pregnancy test can remain positive for 1-2 months after an abortion.  A decrease in pregnancy symptoms is the most important sign that everything is fine; as well as the nurse telling you that she identified the pregnancy tissue.  If your breasts get more sore, instead of less sore, you should call the office where they gave you the pill.
I hope this is helpful,
Doctor Joan

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Doctor Early Options

Expertise

We are a group of family doctors who provide abortion care for over a decade. We can answer any health or medical related questions about early abortion, including the aspiration procedure, the abortion pill (RU486), or surgical abortion. We run a practice called Early Options, located in New York City: http://www.EarlyAbortionOptions.com. The practice is dedicated to making early abortion part of mainstream medical care. There are other family doctors around the United States who practice a similar approach to early abortion care: see http://www.EarlyAbortion.com. Please do not ask "private" questions so that other women can learn from your experience. Please tell me what country you are from so that we can better help you.

Experience

Experience in the area: We are all board certified family doctors who have special training in early abortion and reproductive health. Dr. Joan Fleischman is the founder of Early Options (earlyabortionoptions.com) dedicated to making early abortion part of mainstream medical care. Organizations: National Abortion Federation American Association of Family Physicians

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Dr. Joan Fleischman, Founder M.D., Harvard Medical School M.P.A., John F. Kennedy School of Government

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