Hartford aftercare instructions final

AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS
You have just had a safe and simple pregnancy termination. Even though we expect no complications, it is very
important for you to take care of yourself. After your follow-up appointment, you may return to your normal
activities. Until then, please follow the suggestions and restrictions that follow. Please keep these instructions so
that you can refer to them if you have a problem or question.
SUGGESTIONS:
1. Plan for extra rest and get adequate sleep 2. Eat regular and nutritious meals. Avoid heavy foods for several days. 3. It is fine to return to work or school the day after the procedure. Please refrain from heavy lifting, prolonged standing and sports. Please request a doctor’s note for work or school if needed and we will be glad to provide one for you. 4. Please take your temperature every afternoon for the next five (5) days. If your temperature exceeds 100.4¡, please call the office. Medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen may mask a fever. Please take your temperature prior to taking these medications or wait four hours after the most recent dose. 5. A follow up exam is extremely important. If you choose to go elsewhere for this exam, please be sure to insist that a pregnancy test is performed.
RESTRICTIONS:
1. If you received either moderate or deep sedation (being asleep or sedated), DO NOT drive, operate machinery or drink alcoholic beverages fro 24 hours after your procedure. 2. DO NOT have sexual intercourse, douche or use tampons until after your follow-up examination. This is
THINGS TO EXPECT:
1. Continued signs and symptoms of pregnancy may last up to one week following the procedure. 2. Bleeding will vary in amount from spotting to several times that of your normal menstrual period. If you were less than two months pregnant, bleeding may not start until four for five days after the procedure. Bleeding may start and stop but should diminish over the next two weeks, although light spotting may continue until your next period. Your next period will occur anywhere from four to eight weeks after your procedure. The bleeding after the procedure IS NOT your period. If you are bleeding heavily or passing clots larger than a quarter, fill the prescription for methergine or ergonovine and take it as directed. If the bleeding persists, please call the office. Saturating more than one maxi pad and hour for several hours should be reported immediately. 3. Cramping is common and should be expected. If you experience cramping, lie down and use a heating pad on the abdomen or lower back. We recommend the following over the counter medications: • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin) up to 800mg (4 tablets) every 4 hours. • Naproxen Sodium (Aleve) up to 240mg (2 tablets) every 8 hours • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) up to 1000mg (2 extra strength tablets) every 4 hours HARTFORD GYN CENTER * ONE MAIN STREET * HARTFORD, CT 06106 * 860-525-1900 * 800-877-6335 Acetaminophen may be taken in addition to either ibuprofen or naproxen. Ibuprofen and naproxen are very similar medications—you should not take them together. Aspirin is NOT recommended. Please call the office if your cramps do not respond to these medications. 4. Please give some thought to contraception. If you are starting birth control pills, the patch or the NuvaRing, being on the Sunday following your procedure. You will be protected by the time of your follow-up visit. The birth control shot, Depo-Provera, is effective 24 hours after the time of injection. Other methods can be discussed at the follow-up exam. If you have unprotected intercourse it is very possible to get pregnant between your procedure and your next period. 5. If you had an IV needle placed in your arm or hand for anesthesia, you may experience pain or tenderness where the needle was inserted. Heat application and ibuprofen are recommended. PLEASE CALL IF:
1. You have cramps that will not subside with the remedies listed. 2. You have a temperature that is over 100.4¡ for several hours or reaches 102¡. 3. You are saturating more than one pad every hour or continue to pass blood clots larger than a quarter even after taking your prescription (please see instructions for bleeding). 4. You develop severe abdominal pain. 5. Your bleeding is not subsiding after 2 weeks. Spotting or light bleeding is normal for up to 4 weeks 6. You may feel a variety of emotions over the next few weeks. These may range from a sense of liberation and relief to feelings of guilt, loss and grief. If you are feeling emotionally troubled, please feel free to call and speak with our counseling staff.
Our phone number in the Hartford area is (860) 525-1900 and our toll-free is (800) 877-6335. For general
questions or problems, please call during office hours: Monday – Friday from 8 – 5PM and Saturday from 7 –
2PM. A physician is on call for emergencies at all times. In case of an emergency, call either of the numbers
above and our answering service will contact the doctor. The doctor may need to call in a medication to your
pharmacy, so please have the pharmacy number handy when you call. PLEASE call our office first before going
to the emergency room or to another physician.
MEDICATIONS:

You have been given a written prescription for either ergonovine or methergine, medications that help the uterus
contract and control bleeding. Fill and take this written prescription ONLY if you experience excessive bleeding.
Women with high blood pressure and circulatory disorders SHOULD NOT take either medication.
Most women leaving the Center are given antibiotics, usually 2 capsules of Doxycycline. Take both capsules with
solid, non-dairy food as soon as you are able to tolerate solid food. If you have been given other antibiotics,
follow the instructions on the bottle.
Pain medications are not ordinarily dispensed. It will be necessary to purchase these (see instructions on
cramping)
Please keep these instructions until you have had your follow-up visit. Should you encounter a problem, please
refer to these instructions before calling. Although we expect no problems, please remember that we are here for
you should difficulties or complications arise. Again, our phone numbers are (860) 525-1900 and (800) 877-6335.
HARTFORD GYN CENTER * ONE MAIN STREET * HARTFORD, CT 06106 * 860-525-1900 * 800-877-6335

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