Post-Abortion Contractions: What to Expect & When to Worry

Question
I am 16 years old and I had an suction abortion, March 2007. I was 10 weeks, 6 days along. About 3 nights after the abortion, I started experiencing contractions. I knew they were contractions because they would stop for about 30 seconds and last for about 60 seconds. I wanted to know if this seems normal? I was bleeding normally, not too much or not too little. I checked my tempertaure and it was normal. I felt completely fine, Pregnancy symtpoms went away immediately. I'm just wondering why I was having contractions? They only lasted that night and that same day I was walking around alot and was under alot of stress from fighting with my boyfriend. When I went for my post-op appointment and they gave me a plevic exam, everything was okay? I know this was awhile ago but it still concernes me?

Answer
Dear Staphanie,
What you experienced was completely normal.  "Contractions" are the same feeling as uterine cramping which happens normally after a procedure.  The uterus is a strong muscle that contracts/cramps during delivery, during an abortion, and sometimes after an abortion.  Everything you describe sounds completely normal.
I hope this is helpful,
Doctor Joan