QuestionHi, Dr. Joan.
I am a patient that had an surgical abortion Jan 24th 2009 for 8week pregnancy.
I had severe bleeding and pain the first week which scared me did take advantage of walk in clinic(Feb 6th)the nurse told me everything looks ok but still bleeding (ultrasound results) and to take tylenol at home for the pain.
Another week pass and the bleeding pain gets worse. Trusting the nurse that It's ok. Thinking that it's a process that I need to go through after the procedure(first time) so I wait till 3 weeks for the pain to go away...
BUT,
called in the clinic emergency num(Feb 14th) but all they say it's too long ago(3weeks?) they wont be able to do anything suggesting me to go to the ER. I had to go to the ER(Feb 15th) the sizes of clots I have passed with severe bleeding(going through overnight pads every 40mins or an hour). And the sharp pain & cramping was getting worse that I was crying on the floor. ER doctors recomended me to go see my dr that had the procedure(the Blood test results shown no complications).Went in for a follow up at my clinic Feb18th the doctor had a pelvic exam and it was painfull. They say Don't understand my pain but have infection. Dr. gave me medication (doxycycline/Metronidazole/hydrocodone/methorgine) I still have pain and bleeding everyday but not severe like last week but it's still there and It's annoying. All i get from the clinic is it will get better soon. Feel like getting brushed away. All the follow ups were only a minute with the DR. / nurse. Walk in walk out. I try to ask as much as I can but whenever I go back to the exam room I get flash backs and just dose off and always walk out the clinic unhappy. If there is anyone that can help my curiosity with professional explamation why I still am having pain and bleeding everyday till this day. It will be helpfull...
AnswerDear Kim,
It can be difficult to figure out what is going on without seeing medical records. However, based on everything you say, it sounds like you have something called "retained products." Retained products simply means that some of the lining that supported the pregnancy did not get removed at the time of the abortion. It can cause continued bleeding, cramping, and passing of clots as you describe. It can be very painful and frightening, but the good news is that it is HARMLESS and has no long term consequences. The reason it is painful is that the uterus is contracting, trying to push out the tissue, unsuccessfully. Sometimes the tissue gets "stuck" in the cervix, and will not come out naturally. The main concern of retained products is that it is painful, and also to make sure you don't have an infection - but they have already treated an infection, so this should not be the cause of the pain. The antibiotics they gave you for the possible infection are the correct ones, so they should have worked (you should have taken it for 7-10 days).
The treatment for retained products is to either let it pass on its own, or to do a repeat procedure. Usually I only wait one or two days before I recommend a procedure, because it can be so painful. I am not sure why you are not getting treated for this. It is common, and they should have suggested that you get treated. You should not be in pain for 5 weeks.
If you live near New York City, I'd be glad to see you.
Let me know what happens.
Doctor Joan
EarlyAbortionOptions.com
New York City
