QuestionMy sister was in an extremely abusive relationship where her husband threatened to kill her and any family member that got involved in her escape. Recently, she found out she was pregnant (as a result of her husband raping her). She decided to have an abortion to allow her to move on with her life and away from this man. Her husband has been constantly bothering her to take a pregnancy test after she left him. How long does it take for the pregnancy hormone to leave her body once she has had a surgical abortion performed?
AnswerDear MichaelAnne,
Tell your sister congratulations on her courage and strength and that her life will get better in time. Another word of advice...document, document, document. No matter how small the incident. Document it in every possible way.
As to your question, most women can expect their levels to return to a non-pregnant range about 4-6 weeks after a pregnancy loss has occurred. This can vary by how the loss occurred (miscarriage, D & C procedure, abortion, natural delivery) and how high the levels were at the time of the loss/how far along she was at the time of the procedure. However, typically after 4-6 weeks those levels will be in a non-pregnant range. Sometimes it is sooner, but if she does not want to take a chance on a slight positive reading, she should wait that long.
My true question would be... what does it matter whether he wants her to take a test or not? Is she still allowing him to run her life? She has taken the first step in taking control of her life back, the next is to simply say..."I'm not pregnant. Believe it or don't, but I have nothing to prove to you." She doesn't have to take any test just because he wants her to. This is just something he can bug her about for now. After this (no matter what the result), there will be something else. It's about control.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you and your sister well.
Brenda
