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Q: Health After Abortion (long)
asked by: bicca on August 28th, 2005
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
I had a surgical abortion two days ago. I'm 17 and my fetus was at 8 weeks and 5 days. I chose not to use pain medicine during or after in order to keep track of my symptoms and because I hate to feel tired. That said, here are my inquiries:

first of all, i'm wondering about hormones and body changes. I've read some stories about women experiencing pregnancy symptoms for their full "would-be" pregnancy terms. I've been working out like crazy (even though I know i'm supposed to wait two weeks) in order to lose the weight I gained from being exhausted and starving during the pregnancy. My face is crazy broken out and i'm hoping that will subside as well, if this is due to hormones which will even out soon.

Also, cramps and breathing. I'm not cramping too bad, but since the procedure, and I guess also before the abortion, I have this dull pain in my uterus and am wondering when that will wear off. My breathing has been really short too. I'm going to get some x-rays within the next few weeks if this doesn't go away, but hopefully someone can relate to that.

Finally, this is more about emotional health... I've been with my beautiful boyfriend, who got me pregnant, for a year and a half. We've always been very affectionate and sexual (yes, I realize i'm young and am not asking for advice). We're successful young adults, independent and monogamous. But since getting the abortion, I feel terrible when he touches me. The doctor was a man, who didn't really say anything to me or warn me at all as he shoved his instruments and chemicals into me. I felt it all. I am young... And trying not to let this traumatize me, but it kind of has? Makes me cry everytime I think about it.

Help, or any stories about effects of an abortion would be wonderful.

P.S. I do not regret this. I get upset, but I know that I made the right choice in every perspective.
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Izzy replied on August 28th, 2005
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
I can only say you should do some research into post abortion syndrome it may make things a bit clearer regarding why you maybe feeling the way you do regarding your boyfriend and and the reasons why you feel the way you do. I am not saying you are suffering from .P.A.S but you did describe a symptom of .P.A.S, it would be wise to do some research just to see if it is what your going through, some people say it dosnt exist, others say it does, that makes no difference, the only thing that you need to find out is if you are suffering from it or not.

God bless.
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oopoopoop replied on August 29th, 2005
Extremely EHEALTHy
Bicca - you only had surgery two days ago, and your body is still full of hormones and probably other drugs. It is not surprising that you are not in a really great mood right now. You need to give your body a chance to get back to normal.

I hope your boyfriend is being caring and understanding right now, and that you have got through this together.
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Izzy replied on August 29th, 2005
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Her problem is obviously deeper than physical, she needs to understand why and how she feels the way she does, if she feels no regret its unlikly she will after researching pas but it may give her a little understanding and the power to confront her problems.
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jenn_smithson replied on September 1st, 2005
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Re: Health After Abortion (long)
bicca wrote:
i had a surgical abortion two days ago. I'm 17 and my fetus was at 8 weeks and 5 days. I chose not to use pain medicine during or after in order to keep track of my symptoms and because I hate to feel tired. That said, here are my inquiries:

first of all, i'm wondering about hormones and body changes. I've read some stories about women experiencing pregnancy symptoms for their full "would-be" pregnancy terms. I've been working out like crazy (even though I know i'm supposed to wait two weeks) in order to lose the weight I gained from being exhausted and starving during the pregnancy. My face is crazy broken out and i'm hoping that will subside as well, if this is due to hormones which will even out soon.

Also, cramps and breathing. I'm not cramping too bad, but since the procedure, and I guess also before the abortion, I have this dull pain in my uterus and am wondering when that will wear off. My breathing has been really short too. I'm going to get some x-rays within the next few weeks if this doesn't go away, but hopefully someone can relate to that.


Finally, this is more about emotional health... I've been with my beautiful boyfriend, who got me pregnant, for a year and a half. We've always been very affectionate and sexual (yes, I realize i'm young and am not asking for advice). We're successful young adults, independent and monogamous. But since getting the abortion, I feel terrible when he touches me. The doctor was a man, who didn't really say anything to me or warn me at all as he shoved his instruments and chemicals into me. I felt it all. I am young... And trying not to let this traumatize me, but it kind of has? Makes me cry everytime I think about it.


Help, or any stories about effects of an abortion would be wonderful.


P.S. I do not regret this. I get upset, but I know that I made the right choice in every perspective.
I agree with poo that you need to give your body some time to rest and recouperate. Pregnancy, alone, can flood your body with every hormone it produces and it will take time for your body to stabilize those hormones. When I was pregnant, before I even found out, I started crying over nothing, I got hot and sweaty, and I was exhausted all the time. All of these slowly subsided after the abortion and things slowly returned to normal.

If you are worried, and it sounds like you are, you should call your doctor and explain the symptoms to him/her. I am concerned about the shortness of breath for you and would like you to at least call a doctor about that.
Keep us posted please,
jenn
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bicca replied on September 2nd, 2005
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
I'm feeling fine now. I'm slowly working off the weight and boobs. The acne is still bad, but i'm getting accutane next week. Still no regrets, actually i'm feeling better than I have in over two and a half months. I think the boyfriend issues were spun from being afraid of settling down so young. I've realized that I don't have to, and I feel much more free. I've earned so much respect for myself now that i've realized i'm in charge of what happens to me. It's liberating.

One complication: there's this smell... That sounds so gross, but yeah. I've been on antibiotics, but I just noticed this today (one week after the abortion). I wouldn't imagine it's an infection and hopefully it was just like a one time thing, but i'm going to call the clinic tomorrow.

Also, does anyone know if tests will have positive results after the abortion?
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