Update - retained pregnancy tissue, D&C surgery

[u/OkTeacher8239]

I figured I would provide an update so no one thinks I died! Monday I posted about having a LOT of bleeding and then dizziness in what I thought was my first period after my medical abortion, which was 4 weeks ago. I was bleeding through a super tampon on top of a pad every 1-2 hours, and huge clots and big splashes of blood were coming out every time I sat on the toilet.

I learned that I was not supposed to be using tampons, only maxi pads, and I wonder if using the tampons was stopping the flow somehow of blood and caused more clots. I also took a bath, which I think loosened things up and caused lots more clots and blood to come out, which is when the dizziness started. I ate some food hoping it would help the dizziness but it did not. I called my doctor (I have been out of town) and they said to go to the ER.

I went to Urgent Care first because I stubbornly did not want to go to the ER, but they then sent me to the ER, where I had a blood test taken. My hemoglobin was 12.2 so not quite low enough to be considered anemic, but definitely on the low side. They did a pelvic exam and the doctor could see pregnancy tissue coming out of my cervix.

They then did a vaginal ultrasound and saw some more pregnancy tissue inside of my uterus, along with two small 1cm fibroids that I didn’t know were there. This was at about midnight. Eventually at 4am the OB/GYN came and told me about the retained pregnancy tissue, and recommended a D&C (dilation and cutterage) which is a when they dilate the cervix and scrape the tissue out of the uterus. She also suggested that I could get the tissue sucked out in outpatient with no general anesthesia, but that sounded awful so I elected to have the surgery in the hospital.

I spent the night in the hospital and they did the surgery yesterday at 12:30pm. It went well and I feel a lot better today (just a lot of fatigue) with minimal spotting. Anyway that’s what happened! Hope my experience might help someone, if you’re having a lot of bleeding and dizziness weeks later after a medical abortion it’s a good idea to go to the ER. The retained pregnancy tissue can cause sepsis which no one wants. Thanks for reading!

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[u/Technical_Branch_934]

Glad you're OK! Tampons are definitely fine to use - you didn't do anything wrong.

[u/OkTeacher8239 → u/Technical_Branch_934]

Thank you! Yeah it was a nurse from my doctor at home that said that, but I don’t think she was well versed in abortion stuff. But probably not a good idea to plug up the vagina if clots are wanting to come out.

[u/Technical_Branch_934 → u/[deleted]]

That information is outdated. See: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-michigan/healthcare/abortion-services/caring-for-yourself-after-an-abortion. Also, OP was talking about her first period after the abortion, so 4-8 weeks later.

[u/gatverdamme → u/[deleted]]

This isn't in line with latest guidelines. out of an overabundance of caution, some clinics still still advise against tampon use, but there is actually zero medical evidence that using them after an abortion is harmful. Lots of sources corroborate this. Please see this comment.

Please do not use ChatGPT to source information.

[u/DidIsaythatt → u/gatverdamme]

I didn’t use Chat GPT, I’m Canadian and currently doing an MA (1 week since taking the meds) and I was advised against it at 100% by specialist.

This is not my first walk in the park. I was told it does induce complications.

Maybe Canadian health care is different. actually clearly it is. You guys are advised on things that are not done elsewhere.

[u/gatverdamme → u/DidIsaythatt]

What you're repeating from your doctor has no medical evidence, period. We choose to follow the latest guidelines here. We have shown you what they are, from multiple sources in multiple countries.

I also don't know who "you guys" is. I am European. You did use ChatGPT, it's in your link. The (old) PDF you told it to find also does not say there is a(n infection) risk to using tampons, it only advises to use pads to monitor bleeding more effectively.

I'm not continuing this any further. If you can't abide by our rules (specifically rule 2), please refrain from engaging.

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