Post abortion rant

[in-the-eyes-of.livejournal.com]

I am beyond my breaking point. I had a surgical abortion August 9th, I was around 12 weeks and 3 days. In my opinion, I had a lot of bleeding immediately both during and after the procedure. When the nurse had me move up to the edge of the exam table, you could hear the blood hitting the floor and she tossed me a large white cotton blanket. The dilation process is by far the worst pain I've ever had to deal with... but I'm starting to wonder if it really should have been that painful. Did the doctor do something wrong? He said to the nurse that he had got everything and I didn't see him again.

I've had pretty heavy bleeding since the procedure, no cramping... I started Lo Loestrin Fe the Sunday following procedure. Now the clinic that I went to told me that I could bleed for up to 6 weeks. At this point though, I am beyond my breaking point. I can go a whole day without using any tampons and then suddenly, the bright red blood is back. I just don't fucking get it. I've called the clinic, who again will only say that I can experience bleeding for up to 6 weeks. Everyone that I have talked to and pretty much everything that I've read states people have bleeding for a few DAYS... I will be making an appointment with my regular gyno this week but I just don't get it. Everytime that I think I'm in the clear and then all of a sudden my vagina hates me again, I feel like breaking down and just crying.

Does it sound like there's an issue? Is it possible the doctor fucked something up? Forgot pieces (although he said that he got everything)?

Comments

[fego04.livejournal.com]

You might want to put this behind a cut.

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

I've not been in your exact situation, but I can definitely sympathize with extended and unpredictable bleeding.

If I'm sure I'm understanding things correctly, you had a surgical abortion on August 9 and started Lo Loestrin (for the first time, right? not just starting a new pack of a regular med?) on August 12? Because while some bleeding is normal after an abortion, some bleeding is also normal when starting birth control pills. For the latter, the bleeding -- whether it's constant or intermittent -- can span the first 1 to 3 packs of pills as the body adjusts. (If it's any consolation, I've always found that the first month is definitely the wonkiest, and things tend to become much more stable for me during months 2 and 3 of the adjustment period.)

Also, while I'm understanding that you experienced heavy bleeding during and immediately after your procedure on August 9, you don't mention being currently concerned about the amount of blood you're losing at any given time right now, right? What I mean is, you're not gushing now (saturating 1 pad or tampon per hour for 3 or more consecutive hours), are you? If you are, that would be the point at which I'd encourage you to seek prompt medical attention (like, tonight or tomorrow).

If you're not gushing, I'd guess -- and of course, this is an over-the-Internet, non-medical-professional conclusion -- that the most likely explanation for your bleeding is maybe residual from your abortion but also due to totally normal -- if incredibly aggravating -- breakthrough bleeding as you adjust to your new birth control pills. Certainly, it can't hurt to make an appointment with your regular gyno -- if nothing else, to go over other possible side effects to HBC adjustment (which it sounds like the clinic kind of glossed over with you, maybe?) -- but this definitely sounds like it could fall under the realm of a normal side effect of starting your new pills.

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

I wonder if there could be trauma to the uterine wall, which opens and bleeds as you go about your day?

It sounds to me as if there should not be continuing bleeding of the sort you are having. And it must be very draining and frustrating for you too.

Glad you are seeing your regular doctor soon. I assume you are on the lookout for fever, or pain, or anything weird...

Hope you feel better soon.

[in-the-eyes-of.livejournal.com]

I haven't had pain or cramping until now, I would describe it as a throbbing pain in my lower abdomen. 1-10 pain scale, 5-6ish.

It's frustrating and I can tell it's finally starting to take it's toll - I'm miserable, constantly tired, very irritable. I have migraines to begin with and they're 100x worse now.

I've considered going to the ER tonight due to the new abdominal pain (and I'm not 100% sure that my physician is in tomorrow being it a holiday) but I don't even think they would be able to do anything.

[kaberett.livejournal.com]

If you have migraines with aura, then current guidance in the UK is that you should not be on any form of oestrogen-containing birth control - there is a small but significant increase in stroke risk, and a tendency to exacerbate migraines.

[elephantus45.livejournal.com]

Loestrin gave me lots of spotting/bleeding every day for the first three months, and it gave me migraines as well.

[makale-83.livejournal.com]

:( I am sorry you're going through this, that is unacceptable that the clinic is refusing to see you. I hope your regular doc can help you!

[in-the-eyes-of.livejournal.com]

The clinic isn't refusing to see me, I just don't really want to go there. It's over two hours away and the receptionist has already said that bleeding for six weeks is normal and they would just check me out. I don't want to make the trip for nothing and I don't know... I just feel like if maybe the doctor did make a mistake or leave something in there, they wouldn't admit to that.

[misspaigeb.livejournal.com]

If the doctor left something in there it would presumably be unintentional/accidental, in which case they wouldn't really know unless you start showing signs of infection. Unless you're having unusual cramping and/or fever then I would not assume that that is the case.

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

I know it is a bore going to the ER, but it might be a good idea, especially if you are in pain tonight. The fact that you are tired and feeling off, is worrisome. Even if they cannot make you feel much better, they can make sure there is not something serious,,,

(Wishes you well...)

[jadedinnocent.livejournal.com]

I had a medical, rather than a surgical, abortion at 6weeks, and I bled for 6 weeks after.... of course, i have no idea whether that is the nature of medical vs surgical abortion, i just know that from my experience a prolonged period of bleeding was 'normal'. By bleeding was also constant though, like an incredibly long period.

[operatic-diva.livejournal.com]

I had a surgical at 9 weeks, and I had a long period of bleeding afterwards- 7 weeks of it. My OBGYN said that's normal, as is aches pains and PMS-like cramping.

However OP if you feel like something's wrong, you know your body better than anyone, maybe it's best to go see someone.

[rosewein.livejournal.com]

i don't know if it helps, but i bled passing massive clots fr weeks after mine. I have a really high pain tolerance and only had bad pain a day or two after. they tested my hormones and I was still "pregnant" they said
i'd see a specialist if they didn't fall below 5 at the next test, they didn't, but had fell. So dispute still bleeding a lot i never saw a doctor.
The point of the story is not mine was worst but that anything can happen and it will go away at some point and they don't know much about how your individual body will react.

[skay210.livejournal.com]

If you're in pain, or bleeding so much that you're feeling weak/unwell, then go to the ER definitely. However it really does sound like it can differ for people, and anywhere from 3 days to 6 weeks sounds "normal". What is your physical activity like? If you're moving around a lot, or lifting heavy things or something, that might be exacerbating the healing process and causing you to bleed more. Try and take it very easy for a few days if you can, and drink lots of water.

[vertbio.livejournal.com]

It does seem like it can really differ from person to person. Plus, with starting birth control, that can contribute to random spotting. Your hormones are probably far from stable, your body has been through a lot between the pregnancy, recovery from the surgery, and then immediately starting hormonal birth control. Some of the other symptoms you described may also be from the birth control...Worsened migraines, irritability, feeling miserable. Not all people can handle the estrogen well; it might be worth discussing progesterone only options like the mini-pill, depo provera, implant, mirena IUD or perhaps a copper IUD.

You should definitely go to the ER if you feel something is wrong. The sudden pelvic pain does sound concerning; you are prone to infection after abortions. Maybe it's nothing, but even if they can prescribe you some pain meds, it might be worth a visit.

[in-the-eyes-of.livejournal.com]

I'm done with the Lo Loestrin Fe, they gave that to me as a sample pack. I know that starting a new birth control can cause spotting but it's not just spotting, it's full on bleeding.

I will be using Nuvaring until I figure out what form I want to use longterm. I got pregnant while I had Mirena, so I'm not 100% ready to go back to that haha.

[elialshadowpine.livejournal.com]

What's the amount of blood? If it's more like spotting, I'll agree with others that can be normal for new birth control. I've personally not had a birth control that started out spotting that changed but I think other people have had different experiences (and mine may not be usual due to my PCOS).

Whether it should have been that painful is honestly individual. I don't know as many women who have had abortions but I know a bunch who have had Essure done or an IUD inserted, which involves dilation of the cervix and messing around in there. Some have had 0 pain, and others found it was the most excruciating experience of their lives. It depends on whether your cervix is sensitive and easily irritated. :-\

[vertbio.livejournal.com]

Yeah I had an IUD inserted and I had relatively little bleeding after insertion. It was also low pain.

A friend of mine had a chemical/medical abortion. She's been spotting for 3 weeks straight and then started what seems to be a period. It was unexpected since everything/body was saying the next period usually comes in about 6 weeks after, sometimes longer.

[misspaigeb.livejournal.com]

The amount you bleed afterward partially depends on how far along the pregnancy was. My best friend had a surgical abortion at about 3 or 4 weeks and she bled for a week. Given that you were 12 weeks, bleeding up to six weeks seems totally normal if it's not exceeding a super pad every hour or you're not passing huge clots. Also, just like postpartum bleeding, it can come and go. If you're exercising or doing a lot of strenuous activity and you start bleeding that can be a sign you need to rest more.

[makale-83.livejournal.com]

I had to have a D&C because I miscarried and these exact same symptoms happened to me when the 1st D&C was incomplete. There was remaining tissue and I kept bleeding and bleeding until rotten tissue started coming out of me, where they figured out what was wrong and I had to have a 2nd "emergency" D&C to remove the remaining tissue.

[makale-83.livejournal.com]

Oh I was 8 weeks when we found out the baby had passed, but baby had passed somewhere around 6.

[in-the-eyes-of.livejournal.com]

I would/will be absolutely livid if this turns out to be the case. I chose to have the surgical abortion without sedation and it (dilation) was incredibly painful.
I have had several clots but I've noticed like... strings? Incredibly gummy strings. Did you have to pay for the 2nd D&C? Did that involve another dilation process?

[makale-83.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if they charged me for a 2nd D&C or not, I'm active duty military so my insurance covers all of my medical costs. I'm not really sure if it involved another dilation process or not, I was slightly dilated already when the tissue was coming out (my body was trying to expel it) but I was put under for both procedures b/c I am pretty sure I would have had an anxiety attack otherwise.

[makale-83.livejournal.com]

Also yes, the stringy gummy tissue bits are exactly what it looked like when I was passing tissue. It also smelled horrendous.

[patchworkorange]

It hasn't been 6 wks :) If you're still bleeding after that mark, then I'd be concerned. I know it sucks to have sporadic bleeding but that's probably normal for this kind of procedure.

[aimeelynn06.livejournal.com]

So, a few things. Yeah, it's normal for an abortion to hurt a lot. It doesn't for everyone but for some people it's pretty intensely painful. It doesn't necessarily mean anything was wrong. A lot of bleeding during/ right after is normal and typical.

Sporadic bleeding after an abortion is normal for up to sixish weeks. It is horrendously annoying but it doesn't necessarily mean anything is wrong.

If you have retained products of conception (or, if something is left inside you) than it could also be causing the sporadic bleeding. You need an ultrasound to see if you have retained anything.
If you do have retained POC, then yes, you will need another abortion procedure (same thing as a D&C, basically) and they will need to dilate you again but not nearly as far. For 12 weeks, you were dilated a little over a cm and if you need another procedure they can do it with about half that much dilation. They should NOT charge you again. Really, your gyno will probably do it for you in the hospital or at her office if you have insurance.

Sorry you are having this frustrating experience.

[jennifer0246.livejournal.com]

The amount of pain varies a lot. Some people ask if the procedure has begun yet, when in fact it's already over (i.e. they don't feel much of anything), other people find the pain really intense and very hard to get through. I think the pain that you are describing sounds within the realm of normal.

Bleeding is very normal for up to 6 weeks after an abortion. I know that's what everyone is telling you, and doesn't seem to be what you want to hear, but it is true. The amount of bleeding varies -- anywhere from no bleeding, spotting, light bleeding, and bleeding like a heavy period is all really, really normal. It's also typical for the bleeding to change between those options from time to time.

The amount of bleeding that would be concerning would be very heavy (2 pads per hour for 2 hours in a row).

Other 'warning signs' that necessitate medical intervention include a fever of 100.4F or higher at any time, pain that is unchanged by 800mg ibuprofen, heat, and abdominal massage, and foul-smelling vaginal discharge.

I will say though that you seem concerned, so I would recommend a visit with a health care provider (preferably the clinic you were seen at, as they know the most about the procedure you had) to reassure you.