Incomplete abortion is a condition when the entire products of conception are not expelled instead a part of it is left inside the uterine cavity. This is one of the commonest types among women hospitalized for abortion complications.
In this condition, either abortion has occurred spontaneously or illegally induced by abortion pills. In both conditions, products of conception are not expelled completely and some material is still left inside the uterus.
If pregnancy is terminated before 8 weeks then there are very fewer chances of tissue left inside the uterine cavity but if it is terminated after 8 weeks with abortion pills then there is an increased risk of incomplete abortion. Sometimes, there can be some tissue left in your uterus which could be a part of the uterine lining or some of the products of the conception that needs to be removed to prevent blood loss.
Symptoms
The following are the symptoms of incomplete abortion-
- History of the expulsion of fleshy mass per vaginum
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Vaginal bleeding that lasts more than 2 weeks
- Bleeding more than expected
- Weakness
- An internal examination may reveal an open cervix admitting tip of the finger, expelled mass is found the incomplete and varying amount of bleeding
- Fever, if infection present.
Sometimes, you don’t know that you’re pregnant and the process of abortion starts. You think of it as periods. If persistent bleeding occurs for more than 2 weeks then you need to seek medical advice.
If you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms during miscarriage, immediately consult your healthcare provider.
Treatment
Termination is a must because the product left behind may lead to excessive bleeding, infection and placental polyp.
Your healthcare provider may perform an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis. Your doctor may prescribe misoprostol to contract the uterus if you have had an incomplete abortion after taking abortion pills.
If it doesn’t work, the doctor may perform dilatation and curettage operation to remove the bits of tissues left behind. Intravenous fluids and ergometrine 0.5 mg are given in case of excessive bleeding. This procedure can be done in an outpatient department.
After the evacuation of the uterus, symptoms start to improve and you may experience minimal bleeding.
Conclusion
In the above post, we have discussed incomplete abortion. It is a condition in which the products of conception are not expelled completely instead bits of tissues are left inside the uterine cavity. It leads to profuse and continuous bleeding for more than 2 weeks. Dilatation and curettage are done in an outpatient department to remove the bits of tissues left behind. After the procedure, symptoms start to improve.
