Expert: Doctor Early Options - 12/28/2007

Question
QUESTION: I had a D & C after a miscarriage. My boyfriend and I have had unprotected sex once at 7 days post D & C and once at 2 weeks post D&C. Is it possible to get pregnant even if I'm still having bloddy discharge? Is it highly likely? Or highly unlikely or what I'm getting mixed messages depending who I talk to... Thanks!

ANSWER: Dear Kate,
Yes, it is possible to get pregnant after a D&C, even if you are bleeding.  Check a pregnancy test.  It may still be positive from the original pregnancy.  Check it again in one week and compare it to the first one.  If the second one is darker than the first, it is likely a new pregnancy.  If it is lighter or negative, you did not get pregnant again.
I hope this is helpful,
Doctor Joan

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

QUESTION: Would it be okay? Or would this be a doomed pregnancy... I'm too upset to take a pregnancy test...

Answer
Dear Kate,
If you are pregnant again, it would be 100% safe to keep the pregnancy and 100% safe to end the pregnancy.  If you are pregnant, you are not alone.  Many women get pregnant right after an abortion.  
However, chances are that you are not pregnant, and you should likely find relief by taking the pregnancy tests.  It sounds like you need to get on a good birth control method.  You can try plannedparenthood.org, or your local family doctor.  I hope this is helpful,
Doctor Joan