Patient's question:
I was pregnant before, and during a thorough ultrasound examination, the fetus never had a heartbeat. The doctor ultimately recommended that I have an abortion to remove the child. I had a D&C (dilation and curettage) procedure at the hospital. After going home, I had some spotting on the first day, but the amount was not significant, and it cleared up by the third day. I would like to ask if it is normal for spotting to only last for one day and be very minimal after an abortion?Doctor's answer:
Generally, after an abortion, there is indeed less bleeding. However, although you have only bled for one day, it is possible that a small amount of bleeding may reappear in a couple of days. This is normal. Usually, a follow-up ultrasound is recommended about a week after the procedure to check for any remaining tissue in the uterus. If the bleeding becomes particularly heavy in a few days, this is not normal. In such cases, it is best to have an ultrasound performed. If any remaining tissue is found, a D&C (dilation and curettage) may be necessary to prevent uterine infection.