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

[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.