Heavy Bleeding After Abortion: Causes & What to Do

Question
Hi, I had an abortion on Feb 5, 09. It is March 5, 09 right now. I was bleeding heavy in the 1st two weeks and then bleeding started becoming light. The checkup was normal after termination. My bleeding has become light but all of sudden I am bleeding heavily since yeaterday. My Dr. said I would get my period after 2 wks. My bleeding should have stopped last week. Please help!! What can be the reason and what can be done? The doctor ssid the uterus is clean and looks normal. I am very worried.

Answer
Dear Sonia,
Unfortunately this kind of bleeding is common and normal after an abortion.  Bleeding can be light or heavy, intermittent or daily, red or brown, with or without clots.  This is all normal.  I disagree with your doctor - your period can come any time between 2 weeks and two months and it is hard to know sometimes what is your period, and what is bleeding from the abortion.  The bleeding is harmless, and does not indicate that there is a problem. The main thing is for them to do a follow up ultrasound to see if there are clots or retained tissue.  It sounds like they did this, and everything looked fine, so there is nothing to worry about. It is probably hormonal, and it will go back to normal in the next month or so.

My advice is to be careful not get pregnant again!  Even though you are bleeding you can get pregnant!!!

I hope this is helpful,
Doctor Joan
EarlyAbortionOptions.com
New York City