Am I Pregnant? Early Signs and Symptoms - Obstetrics and Gynecology

Is it pregnancy?

Hello Doctor: I took the first dose of the abortion medication on November 29.
I started bleeding on November 30, and during my follow-up appointment on December 7, the ultrasound confirmed that the pregnancy had been terminated, and I was no longer bleeding that day.
My husband and I had intercourse on December 14 without contraception (intercourse was internal), and after December 16, we used condoms a few times.
On December 26, after using the restroom, I noticed brown discharge when wiping, but there was no brown blood on the pad.
I also experienced intermittent pain in my lower right abdomen, but it wasn't severe; the pain lasted only a few seconds and felt like cramping.
On December 27, after urinating, I wiped again and did not see brown discharge.
From December 28 until today, I have been noticing brown discharge again, but there has been nothing on the pad.
This afternoon, I bought a pregnancy test, and it showed two lines.
Does this mean I am pregnant?

Niming, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2017/12/31

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

On November 29, I took the first dose of the abortion pill, and I started bleeding on November 30.
I had a follow-up appointment on December 7, during which the doctor confirmed via ultrasound that the pregnancy had been terminated.
My husband and I had intercourse on December 14 without contraception (it was internal), and after December 16, we used condoms a few times.
On December 26, after using the restroom, I noticed brownish blood when I wiped, but there was no brown blood on the pad.
I also experienced intermittent pain in my lower right abdomen, but it was not severe and lasted only a few seconds, similar to cramping.
On December 27, after urinating, I wiped again and did not see any brown blood.
From December 28 until today, I have been noticing brown blood again, but there has been nothing on the pad.
This afternoon, I bought a pregnancy test, and it showed two lines.
Does this mean I am pregnant? Answer: I took the first dose of the abortion pill on November 29, had intercourse on December 14, and the pregnancy test on December 30 showed two lines.
I need to see a doctor for an ultrasound on January 15 to confirm.

Reply Date: 2017/12/31

More Info

It sounds like you're going through a complex situation regarding your reproductive health, and I appreciate your willingness to seek clarity. Based on the details you've provided, it seems you may indeed be experiencing early signs of pregnancy, but let's break down the information to better understand your situation.

First, you mentioned that you took an abortion pill on November 29, and by December 7, an ultrasound confirmed that the pregnancy had been terminated. Following that, you had unprotected intercourse with your husband on December 14, and subsequently used condoms after December 16. The presence of brown discharge on December 26 and again from December 28 onward, along with intermittent mild pain in your lower right abdomen, raises some questions.

The brown discharge you're experiencing could be due to several factors. In early pregnancy, spotting or light bleeding can occur, which is sometimes referred to as implantation bleeding. This happens when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the lining of the uterus, which can occur around the time your next period would be due. However, brown discharge can also be a sign of other conditions, such as hormonal fluctuations, remnants from your previous pregnancy termination, or even a sign of an early miscarriage.

The fact that you received two lines on a pregnancy test suggests that you may be pregnant. Most home pregnancy tests are designed to detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is produced shortly after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. If the test is showing two lines, it typically indicates a positive result, meaning that you are likely pregnant.

However, it is essential to consider the timing of your sexual activity and the potential for residual hCG from your previous pregnancy. Since you had a medical abortion, it can take some time for hCG levels to return to zero, and this could potentially lead to a positive pregnancy test even if you are not currently pregnant.

Given the complexity of your situation, including your recent abortion, the symptoms you're experiencing, and the positive pregnancy test, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare provider. They can perform a blood test to measure your hCG levels, which will provide a clearer picture of whether you are pregnant and how far along you might be. Additionally, they can evaluate the brown discharge and abdominal pain to rule out any complications.

In summary, while the positive pregnancy test suggests that you may be pregnant, the brown discharge and abdominal pain warrant further investigation. It is essential to seek medical advice to ensure your health and well-being, as well as to receive appropriate care based on your unique circumstances. Your healthcare provider will be able to guide you through this process and provide the necessary support.

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