Can You Get Pregnant Within a Month After Medical Abortion?

Is there a possibility of pregnancy within one month after a medical abortion?

On April 21, I took RU486, and on the morning of April 23, I took the second dose.
In the evening, during my follow-up appointment, the doctor said that everything was cleared out and prescribed me a three-day course of uterine contraction medication.
After finishing the uterine contraction medication, my menstrual bleeding stopped on May 4, but on May 7, I started to have some light brown discharge.
During my third follow-up appointment on May 10, the doctor mentioned it was ovulatory bleeding.
Is this possible?
On May 12, I had unprotected intercourse.
Is there a possibility of becoming pregnant? A week later, on May 18, 21, and 26, I took home pregnancy tests, which showed one strong and one faint line.
Could this indicate a possible pregnancy, or could it be due to residual progesterone after the medical abortion?
In the past week, I have occasionally felt slight dull pain in my lower abdomen and noticed an increase in discharge.
Could this be a sign of possible pregnancy or an indication that my period is approaching? Additionally, can an ultrasound transvaginally detect a pregnancy shortly after fertilization?

H, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2021/05/28

Dr. Cao Guotao reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

Hello, the issues you mentioned are all possible.
I usually advise patients to temporarily avoid pregnancy after taking abortion medication; otherwise, it can be difficult to distinguish between situations like this.
I recommend following up with your original obstetrician-gynecologist.
Wishing you good health.

Reply Date: 2021/05/28

More Info

After a medical abortion, it is indeed possible to conceive again relatively quickly, sometimes even within the same month. The timeline you provided indicates that you underwent a medical abortion on April 21 and 23, and your bleeding stopped on May 4. The presence of slight brown discharge on May 7 could be attributed to hormonal fluctuations as your body adjusts post-abortion.
When you had unprotected intercourse on May 12, there was a possibility of becoming pregnant again, especially if you were already entering your fertile window. Ovulation can occur as soon as two weeks after an abortion, depending on individual hormonal recovery. The tests you conducted on May 18, 21, and 26 showing varying results (one dark line and one faint line) could suggest a few scenarios.
1. Early Pregnancy: If you are indeed pregnant, the faint line could indicate that the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is still building up in your system. This is common in early pregnancy, where hCG levels can vary significantly in the initial weeks.

2. Residual hCG: If the tests were conducted too soon after the abortion, it is also possible that the faint line is due to residual hCG from the previous pregnancy. After a medical abortion, it can take some time for hCG levels to return to zero.

3. Hormonal Fluctuations: The hormonal changes following an abortion can lead to irregular bleeding or discharge, which might be mistaken for early pregnancy signs.

The mild discomfort you are experiencing in your abdomen could be related to either the hormonal changes in your body or the possibility of early pregnancy. It is not uncommon for women to experience some cramping or discomfort as their bodies adjust after an abortion or during early pregnancy.

Regarding your question about whether an ultrasound can detect a pregnancy soon after conception, it typically depends on how far along you are. Generally, a transvaginal ultrasound can detect a gestational sac as early as 4-5 weeks after the last menstrual period, which would be about 2-3 weeks after conception. However, if you are very early in your pregnancy, it may not be visible yet.

In summary, based on your timeline and symptoms, it is indeed possible that you could be pregnant again after your medical abortion. The best course of action would be to follow up with your healthcare provider for a blood test to measure your hCG levels, which can provide more definitive answers regarding your pregnancy status. Additionally, they can perform an ultrasound if necessary to confirm the presence of a new pregnancy and assess your overall reproductive health.

Similar Q&A

Can You Get Pregnant After Medical Abortion and Unprotected Sex?

Is it possible to get pregnant if unprotected intercourse occurs one week after a medical abortion?

Dr. Wu Xianghui reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
1. Theoretically, it should not happen. 2. For pregnancy concerns, please take a home pregnancy test or visit a gynecologist for examination and evaluation four weeks after your most recent sexual intercourse.

Can You Get Pregnant After a Medical Abortion? Understanding Risks

If pregnancy was confirmed on March 14 at 4 weeks, and the first dose of medication for abortion was taken on March 14, followed by the second dose of uterine contraction medication on March 16, and an ultrasound on March 21 confirmed no embryo was present, there is a possibility...

Dr. Cao Guotao reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, there is still a chance. It is recommended to take emergency contraception. Wishing you good health.

Can You Get Pregnant After a Medical Abortion? Understanding Risks and Options

Hello, I underwent a medical abortion on January 22, with a gestational age of less than 4 weeks. On February 13, I had another procedure due to retained tissue in the uterus. On February 21, I had unprotected sexual intercourse with my boyfriend, and he did not ejaculate. The ne...

Dr. Lin Manying reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello Miss Jean: Regarding your questions, 1. The likelihood is low. 2. It is suitable. 3. Not necessarily; if the pain persists, please visit the outpatient clinic for an examination. The Hualien Hospital of the Ministry of Health and Welfare cares about your health.

Can You Get Pregnant Immediately After an Abortion?

Hello! I underwent an abortion procedure on March 18. After the procedure, I had intercourse on March 28, and on April 5, I used a pregnancy test and it showed positive. Is this possible? Can one get pregnant immediately after an abortion procedure?

Dr. Li Guanghan reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello: It is more likely that the beta-HCG levels from the previous pregnancy have not yet returned to zero. However, you should seek medical attention immediately to rule out the possibility of incomplete miscarriage and gestational trophoblastic disease. Hsinchu City Hospital, ...