Patient's question:
I accidentally got pregnant a few weeks ago, but it wasn't for long—only about 20 days, so I had a medication abortion. The doctor told me to come back for a follow-up check-up in two weeks. Today, when I went to the hospital, the doctor said there was a minimal amount of residual tissue and recommended a D&C procedure, fearing it might affect future fertility. Doctor, could you please tell me what to do if there is a tiny amount of residual tissue after a medication abortion and a follow-up ultrasound? Do I need to have a D&C procedure?Doctor's answer:
If there are residual tissues after medication abortion, it is necessary to determine whether a uterine aspiration is required based on the amount of residual tissue. About one week after medication abortion, there may be a small amount of vaginal bleeding and mild abdominal pain, which is normal. If there is prolonged vaginal bleeding, a color Doppler ultrasound should be performed to check for residual tissue in the uterine cavity. If the residual tissue is less than about 1 centimeter and the duration is long, a uterine aspiration is needed to resolve the issue. If the residual tissue is not significant in a short period, it can be managed with oral medication.