Pregnancy Test After Abortion: Understanding the Results
Abortion is a medical procedure that ends a pregnancy. After an abortion, it is important to take a pregnancy test to confirm that the procedure was successful. A positive pregnancy test after an abortion can indicate that the pregnancy was not terminated or that there is still some pregnancy tissue remaining in the uterus.
Types of Pregnancy Tests
There are two main types of pregnancy tests:
- Urine pregnancy tests: These tests detect the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the urine. hCG is a hormone that is produced by the placenta during pregnancy.
- Blood pregnancy tests: These tests measure the level of hCG in the blood. Blood pregnancy tests are more sensitive than urine pregnancy tests and can detect pregnancy earlier.
When to Take a Pregnancy Test After Abortion
It is important to wait at least two weeks after an abortion to take a pregnancy test. This will give the hCG levels in your body time to decrease. If you take a pregnancy test too soon, you may get a false positive result.
How to Take a Pregnancy Test
Pregnancy tests are available over-the-counter at most pharmacies. To take a pregnancy test, follow the instructions on the package. Most pregnancy tests involve urinating on a test strip or dipping the test strip into a urine sample.
Interpreting the Results
Pregnancy tests will display one of two results:
- Positive: This means that hCG was detected in your urine or blood, which indicates that you are pregnant.
- Negative: This means that hCG was not detected in your urine or blood, which indicates that you are not pregnant.
What to Do if You Get a Positive Pregnancy Test After Abortion
If you get a positive pregnancy test after an abortion, it is important to see your doctor right away. This could indicate that the abortion was not successful or that there is still some pregnancy tissue remaining in your uterus. Your doctor will perform an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis and recommend the next steps.
What to Do if You Get a Negative Pregnancy Test After Abortion
If you get a negative pregnancy test after an abortion, it is still important to see your doctor for a follow-up appointment. This will ensure that the abortion was successful and that you are recovering well.
Other Signs of Pregnancy After Abortion
In addition to a positive pregnancy test, there are other signs that you may still be pregnant after an abortion, including:
- Vaginal bleeding that is heavier than a normal period
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Nausea or vomiting
- Breast tenderness
- Fatigue
If you experience any of these symptoms after an abortion, it is important to see your doctor right away.
Conclusion
Pregnancy tests are an important tool for confirming the success of an abortion. It is important to wait at least two weeks after an abortion to take a pregnancy test. If you get a positive pregnancy test after an abortion, it is important to see your doctor right away.