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PAC Danger Signs
Physical Symptoms after an abortion that are cause for concern:
• Fever over 38 degrees Celsius that doesn't respond to medication - if a fever is present for 48 hours or more, over 38 degrees, call your doctor.
• How much bleeding is normal? o bleeding should be no heavier that a heavy flow period at worst.
- Small clots are ok, like a quarter or grape size.
- Bigger clots are a danger sign, like an apricot, orange or bigger
- Bleeding should stay the same or get lighter it should never get heavier - this is a possible danger sign.
- Bleeding lasts anywhere from 3 days to 5 weeks after the procedure.
- If the amount of bleeding increases, or if the color of the discharge changes back to a bright red, indicating 'new' bleeding, you should call your Dr. for an appt. to be checked. In the meantime, if you have been doing too much activity, or lifting things, return to bedrest, (or couch rest :), elevate your feet. Stay in bed, let the chores wait, order pizza for dinner, ect. You've had a surgical procedure, and it's important to take good care of yourself physically, and not try to do too much right away.
- Cramping and pain worse than normal heavy menstrual period - there will be some painful cramping, and soreness. If the pain is excessive, or doesn't respond to pain medicine, call your doctor.
• Discharge of tissue
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• Abdominal swelling and/or tenderness
• Continued strong symptoms of pregnancy
• Change in bowel or bladder habits, especially lack of bowel movements
• Blood in stool or urine
• Bleeding from IV sites (call ambulance!)
• Dizziness, fainting, nausea
• There is also a physical complication, called "Postabortal Syndrome" that refers to the blocking of the cervix by either tissue or clots immediately after the procedure, and this can be dangerous, as it does not allow the proper normal evacuation of the uterine contents, and does not allow the uterus to return to normal size |
