What is an incomplete abortion? (Query)

Sometimes unassisted abortions can still bear the traces of your pregnancy within you. Know the signs and symptoms of the same.

By: Debjani Arora | | Updated: October 9, 2014 4:51 pm

I took mifegest tablets 12 days back and did a pregnancy test today. My test result showed up a thin faint second line. Does it indicate an incomplete abortion?

It is understood that you might have taken the tablets to terminate an unwanted pregnancy and have done that without any medical assistance. Since 12 days post the action taken you have still noticed a faint second line, it could probably indicate – an incomplete abortion. An incomplete abortion is where the abortion has been partially successful.

Also understand that every home pregnancy test has a different kind of sensitivity. The colour changing property of the test kit helps to indicate if your urine has traces of human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG hormone produced by the placenta during your pregnancy. Some of this hormone passes into your urine and that’s how your pregnancy is detected by a simple urine test through your home pregnancy test kit. Since your urine test shows a faint line it could be possible that the placenta is still secreting hCG.

In an incomplete abortion, the fetus stops developing but the body hasn’t expelled out all the tissues and products of the unwanted pregnancy. An incomplete abortion shows certain signs and symptoms that one cannot miss. In case of an incomplete abortion you may notice:

Prolonged heavy bleeding. You may need to change one sanitary napkin every two hours and the bleeding may continue for more than three weeks.
Excruciating pain in your abdomen. This is more severe than normal stomach cramps and wouldn’t leave even with heavy doses of pain killers.
Unexplained fever.

If you notice the above mentioned symptoms rush to your nearest hospital and seek an appointment with your doctor. Incomplete abortions can lead to infections and other health crises. Even though termination of pregnancy after gestation of 20 weeks is illegal but treatment for an incomplete abortion is considered legal everywhere.

It is extremely important to treat an incomplete abortion. Depending on your condition your doctor might decide on the treatment options. It might be necessary in some case to scrape out all the tissue and remains of an incomplete abortion to complete the process through a surgical procedure. No matter what the prognosis, do not delay to seek medical help.

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Published: March 18, 2014 4:31 pm | Updated:October 9, 2014 4:51 pm

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