AFTERCARE INFORMATION REVIEW   RECOVERY REMINDER AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS YOUR MEDICATION BIRTH CONTROL YOU MUST NOT WORK AT LEAST ONE WEEK AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE, POSSIBLY TWO WEEKS, DEPENDING ON YOUR TYPE OF JOB, ASK RECOVERY NURSE FOR DISABILITY! RECOVERY REMINDER   1. If you didn't buy your medication from our clinic, please get this prescription filled before you go home. Have someone else take the prescription to the pharmacy and pick it up for you. We do not want you on your feet.   2. Start taking the medications right away. As per the instructions on the bottle or on the envelope.   3. If you are taking Birth Control, take your first pill on Sunday ‑ the Sunday after your abortion.  You will receive a prescription for Birth Control that will cover you for (3) three months.  You are not protected the first month. You may be bleeding through this pack of pills. This bleeding is post‑op bleeding. This is not your period. 4. If you are not taking the Birth Control, you will not have a real period for approximately 6‑8 weeks, it takes a couple of weeks for your hormones to regulate and your body to realize it is not pregnant, then the cycle of ovulation takes place. On a rare occasion you might have a real period in possibly 4 or 5 weeks.   5. Douche one time only with a medicated douche, one week after your abortion. Even if you are still bleeding.   REMEMBER   KEEP YOUR AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS & THIS RECOVERY REMINDER. REFER TO THESE SET OF INSTRUCTIONS WHEN IN DOUBT. IF YOU DO HAVE QUESTIONS THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS CAN NOT ANSWER, DON'T HESITATE TO CALL.   **** FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS, IT IS IMPORTANT AFTER SURGERY TO FOLLOW YOUR AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS.   DOUCHE ONETIME ONLY WITH A MEDICATED DOUCHE, ONE WEEK AFTER YOUR ABORTION. EVEN IF YOU ARE STILL BLEEDING.   **** THERE IS A 2 WEEK POST‑OP EXAM. (CHARGE OF $25 DOLLARS) YOU MUST CALL TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.     AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS   Please read this before you leave the recovery room. If you have any questions the nurse will be happy to answer them for you.   1. A small or moderate amount of bleeding is normal. It may range from spotting to the heaviest day of your normal period. It may last from the first day of the procedure up to your first normal period (4‑8) weeks. You may find that bleeding (and cramping) increase in amount as you become more active. It is not uncommon for women to have little or no bleeding for the first few days, but then notice a heavier flow as you resume normal activities.   Heavy bleeding (soaking 1 pad every hour) is NOT NORMAL. If this happens, call the clinic immediately for further instructions.   You might expel some blood clots (various in size), this is normal, however, if you should pass any tissue, call immediately, (Tissue is white or gray material that looks different from a dark red clot). Save any tissue in a closed jar in your refrigerator and bring it in to the office. First you should call the office to let them know.   2. Some mild cramping is normal. This might increase as you become more active. This discomfort should be relieved by either Motrin taken every 6 hours OR 2 Extra‑Strength Tylenols taken every four hours as needed, ‑ or a Heating Pad to the lower abdomen for one hour on and one hour off. If you get no relief from this and you cannot stand or walk comfortably, CALL IMMEDIATELY.   3. Take your temperature the next several days. Infection may be accompanied by fever and chills (fever greater than 100), severe cramping, a foul smell or a pus like vaginal discharge. Infection can nearly always be treated by a clinic physician. If you develop any of these symptoms, call immediately, old menstrual blood turns dark and sometimes has a funny odor, this is normal.   4. Douche onetime only with a medicated douche, one week after your abortion. Even if you are still bleeding.   5. You should use Sanitary Pads only, no tampons should be used at all during the next two weeks.   6. Refrain from any sexual intercourse until after the two weeks necessary to heal.   7. NO tub baths or swimming until after the two week period. You may take showers. Most of the worst infections have been found in women who swim in public pools or lakes too soon after the procedure.   8. Avoid strenuous activities such as bicycling, tennis, jogging, exercising, or racket ball for at least two weeks. Also, no heavy lifting (over 10 lbs) for one week. If you lift or increase your activities, remember that it is not unusual to experience heavy bleeding.   REMEMBER!!!!!!   DOUCHE ONE WEEK AFTER WITH A MEDICATED DOUCHE NO TAMPONS NO TUB BATHS OR SWIMMING NO SEXUAL INTERCOURSE NO STRENUOUS ACTIVITY OR HEAVY LIFTING   Although, we would like to be able to guarantee a perfect and uncomplicated recovery, any surgical procedure may occasionally present unavoidable complications. If you have any problems, please call us. It would be helpful to have the phone number of your nearest pharmacy when you call.   During the day you can reach us at (586) 774‑4190. At night, (for Emergencies only) call the answering service at (586) 445‑6443 and they will reach the doctor.   PATIENTS WHO START BIRTH CONTROL PILLS, THE SUNDAY AFTER THEIR SURGERY, SHOULD HAVE THEIR FIRST PERIOD (4‑6) WEEKS AFTERWARDS. BREAKTHROUGH BLEEDING IS COMMON DURING THE FIRST FEW MONTHS ON THE BIRTH CONTROL PILLS. THOSE PATIENTS THAT DECIDE NOT TO USE BIRTH CONTROL PILLS, MAY TAKE LONGER (4‑8) WEEKS TO HAVE THEIR FIRST PERIOD. THIS IS NORMAL. DOUSE SOME FORM OF BIRTH CONTROL AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE. UNWANTED PREGNANCY CAN OCCUR BEFORE YOUR FIRST PERIOD. IF YOU CHOOSE TO TAKE BIRTH CONTROL PILLS, START TAKING THEM THE SUNDAY AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE. THERE IS A 2 WEEK POST‑OP EXAM. (CHARGE OF $25 DOLLARS) YOU MUST CALL TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT IN ONE AND A HALF MONTHS, SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A PAP SMEAR AT YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR.   THANK YOU. YOUR MEDICATION DOXYCYCLINE 100 mg             There are ten (10) tablets enough for five days. Doxycycline and/or Tetracycline are an antibiotic. It has been given to you to prevent infection. This medication should be taken with a full glass of water. You should avoid all alcoholic beverages as these may destroy the effectiveness of the medication or cause an allergic reaction. If diarrhea, fever or itching occurs, discontinue this medication and call the clinic!!! If you have ever had a reaction to doxycyline or tetracycline before, DO NOT take it and please tell the assistant. TAKE THIS MEDICATION WITH FOOD. MOTRIN 800 mg There are fifteen (15) tablets. Motrin is an antifmatory comparable to aspirin. It is used in controlling pain. This medication should be taken with a full glass of water and you should avoid taking it with any alcoholic beverages. If any gastrointestinal side affects occur you should discontinue. You may take Tylenol Extra Strength in it's place.     METHERGINE 0.2 mg   (NOT ALL PATIENTS NEED THIS MEDICATION)        There are nine (9) tablets which is enough for three days. You should take one tablet as soon as you get home. And then take one tablet at bedtime, this is on the day of the  procedure. Methergine will cause your uterus to contract (tighten) which helps the uterus return to it's normal size and also helps prevent in heavy bleeding. Some women experience cramping while taken this medication. If cramping occurs, you may take two aspirin or two Tylenol Extra Strength. If severe headaches, dizziness or leg pains occur, stop taking this medication and notify the clinic. IF YOU ARE PRESENTLY BEING TREATED FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION, LET THE ASSIS­TANT KNOW BEFORE YOU LEAVE.   WARNING: Any time you take an antibiotic, the antibiotic will lessen the effect of the birth control pill and you could become pregnant     BIRTH CONTROL   PREVENTING PROBLEMS   When you see a doctor for other problems, be sure to mention that you are using birth control pills. This is especially important if you are admitted to a hospital. Remember the correct name of your PILL. The PILL may reduce the effectiveness of other medications (such as antibiotics). At the same time, some medications can reduce the effectiveness of the PILL. Do not borrow or loan PILLS. Mixing brands can cause problems. It is important to understand that it takes one month for any birth control to become effective.   Smoking increases the risk of serious problems for all PILL users. Women who use the PILL should not smoke!   Stop taking the PILL for 3 months before trying to get pregnant. Use another method of birth control for these 3 months.   WARNING SIGNALS   The Following problems may be a warning of serious trouble. Note that the first letter of each problem spells out the word "aches"! Do not ignore these signals or wait to see if they will go away. Call the clinic immediately!!!!!!!!!!! Do not wait before it is too late!!!!! A* ABDOMINAL PAIN (SEVERE) C* CHEST PAIN (SEVERE) AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH H* HEADACHES (SEVERE) OR DIZZINESS E* EYE PROBLEMS ‑ BLURRED VISION, FLASHING LIGHTS OR BLINDNESS S* SEVERE LEG PAIN OR SWELLING (CALF OR THIGH) If you suffer any one of these "ACHES" Call the clinic immediately!!!!!   When do you need a checkup?! ?   Contact your Doctor before your prescription runs out, to get more pills and have an exam.   INSTRUCTIONS (HOW TO TAKE THEM)   Take your first Pill on the 1st Sunday after your menstrual period begins. If does not matter if you are still menstruating (bleeding) when you start the Pills. If your period begins on a Sunday, take your first Pill that same day.   Take one Pill everyday until you finish all the PILLs in the package. TAKE A PILL EVERYDAY whether or not you have sexual intercourse. YOU MUST REMEMBER EVERY DAY!l!   After you finish one package of 28‑day Pills, start your next pack the next day!   You will begin a new pack every fourth Sunday. Your period should start sometime during the week when you are taking the last row of Pills. These Pills are a different color. You are still protected by the Pill during this week.   During your first month on the Pill, use another method of birth control (such as foam and condoms). After that, if you've taken the Pill properly, you are protected every day of the month.   Take one Pill a day at about the same time each day. Try to get into the habit of taking your PILL at the same time as some daily activity (like going to bed, eating a meal, or brushing your teeth). Take them by mouth with a glass of water or milk and a light snack.   Check the package before you take your Pill to make sure you didn't forget your Pill the day before.   MISSED PILLS   If you miss 1 Pill, take the "missed" Pill as soon as you remember it. Take your regular Pill at your usual time.   If you miss 2 Pills in a row, take 2 Pills as soon as you remember and then 2 more Pills the next day. For example, you forget your Pill on Saturday and Sunday, but remember on Monday. Take 2 Pills on Monday and 2 Pills on Tuesday. You may have some spotting. Use another method of birth control (foam and condoms) until you finish that package of Pills.   If you miss 3 Pills in a row, stop taking your Pills. You must use some other method of birth control. Start a new package of Pills on the Sunday after your menstrual period begins. Use your other method of birth control for the first month that you are back on the Pill. (if you stop taking the Pill, you may bleed for a few days. Do not confuse this with your menstrual period!!   MISSED MENSTRUAL PERIODS   If you miss 1 period, but you are sure you have taken all your Pills on time, you may be pregnant, but it is very unlikely. Women taking the Pill sometimes miss a period. Start the next pack of Pills at the regular time.   If you miss 1 period, and have not taken all your Pills correctly, call the clinic to ask about a pregnancy test.   If you miss 2 periods in a row, call the clinic for a pregnancy test, even if you have taken your Pills correctly.   SOME COMMON PROBLEMS   Most side effects will clear up after 2 or 3 months of Pill use. Common problems can often be corrected by changing to a different type of Pill. Call the clinic if any of these problems become severe or continue after a few months.   Nausea ‑ If you vomit within 2 hours of taking your Pill, take another and get a replacement from the clinic. Weight gain, fluid retention (bloating), breast fullness or tenderness ‑ Stay away from salty food.   Mild headaches ‑ Return to clinic if they become severe.   Spotting ‑ bleeding between periods ‑ This is a common problem during the first few months. If bleeding becomes heavy or continues after 2 months, call the clinic. You may need a different type of Pill.   Change in your menstrual periods ‑ While on the Pill, your periods may be shorter with less bleeding and fewer cramps.   Missed periods ‑ It is common to occasionally miss a period. If you miss 2 periods in a row, get a pregnancy test! Depression, mood changes, and fatigue ‑ CALL THE CLINIC IF SEVERE!   Top