Pregnancy After Abortion: Risks, Symptoms & What to Do

Question
hello Dr Pat G, i had a surgical abortion about 3 weeks ago which i have to say is the biggest mistake of my life. i am i regret and knew i made a horrible mistake so decided to try getting pregnant 2 weeks post my procedure. i have heard that it is not safe to get pregnant right after an abortion but have also heard that it is not life threatening. i have taken a test this week and it came out possitive. i have been having some of my old pregnancy symptoms like plenty of clear to white discharge and salivation and breast sensitivity. i don't want to be paranoid but could i be pregnant? what would you suggest i do? i want to know now so i can start taking what ever precausions i need to to keep the new pregnancy safe. i would truely appreciate a response thank you

Answer
Hello, nettie,

You're welcome. Please know that I am not a doctor. I am a medical researcher.

As you are aware, abortion does increase risks in future pregnancies. However, there are many doctors now who know how to deal with these increased risks. Before I talk about that, I just want to let you know that it is not clear that you are pregnant with a new baby. There are several possibilities. First, there is the possibility that the abortionist missed the baby. It is also likely that your positive test is simply leftover hormones. It seems unlikely that you are pregnant again. Clear discharge might be fertile mucus. White discharge can mean either infection, or you are not fertile. If you had true fertile mucus so soon after an abortion, I am wondering if you might have miscarried if they hadn't done anything. Fertile mucus can occur during pregnancy, but it's rare. Fertile mucus CAN lead to conceiving again while still pregnant. The only way you are going to know what is going on is to see a doctor, and let him examine and test you. If the doctor suggests that you have a D&C, do not do so if you are not experiencing pain, and there is no evidence of infection. He may want to do an ultrasound. If he does, then the results cannot necessarily be trusted. Ultrasounds aren't really that good.

Here are the things you need to watch for. You need to watch and see if you develop any pain in the area. If you do, you need to see a doctor immediately, because the danger of having a tubal pregnancy is greatly increased by having an abortion. Tubal pregnancy requires emergency surgery. You need to go to a doctor for prenatal care anyway, if you are pregnant. He needs to explain to you how to watch for early onset of labor, and he may need to do a procedure called cerclage. This is when the doctor fastens the cervix shut to prevent miscarriage or very early birth. Surgical abortion weakens a woman's cervix, so this is why it is sometimes necessary. Also, there may be complications during birth, so you will not be able to have a homebirth, if you were considering it. You will need to be in the hospital.

You need to find a decent doctor. Whatever you do, do not go back to whomever did the abortion. Abortion is bad medicine. They should have counseled you so that you would know in advance that you would regret an abortion, and they didn't. They should have obtained your INFORMED consent, and they didn't. There are doctors who are familiar with these problems. You are most likely to find one by contacting an organization in your area that helps women in your position. These are all over the United States. They also provide counseling for women who regret their abortions. To find an organization near you, go to this web site:

http://www.optionline.org/

The link to the lists is on the right, and not very obvious.

If you are not pregnant with a second pregnancy, it is important to let yourself recover both physically and emotionally. Examine your situation. Are you facing the same problems you did before? These organizations can help. But it is wiser to improve your situation and then try again.

Please take care of yourself. Let me know what happens.