Post-Operative Medications

You will receive three prescriptions before you leave the clinic today. These prescriptions are necessary for a complete recovery. Please take as directed.

Doxycycline: This is a broad spectrum antibiotic to prevent infection. Doxycycline is to be taken with food, but do not take with milk. Take one capsule every 12 hours for seven days. Possible side effects include: nausea and diarrhea. Take one tablet 2 times a day for 7 days.

Ergonovine Maleate (Generic name for Methergine): This medication prevents bleeding complications by helping the uterus to contract. You may experience light cramps from this medication. Ergonovine helps slow bleeding and assists the uterus to dispel any clots that have formed. You are to take this medication three times a day until gone. Leg cramps are sometimes associated with taking this medication because it activates muscle contractions. If you experience muscle cramps in your legs, do not be alarmed. If cramping is severe or persists, please call the office. Take one tablet 3 times a day for two days.

Hydrocodone/ Acetaminophen (Generic name for Vicodin): You may experience cramping when the Ergonovine begins contracting the uterus. Hydrocodone will help relieve this cramping. You may take one tablet every four hours as needed for cramping. You also should take this medication with food, because it can make you nauseous. Also, do not drive or operate machinery when taking this medication, because it can cause drowsiness. Take one tablet every 4 hours as needed.

Propoxyphene Naps & Apap (Generic name for Darvocet. This drug maybe given as an alternative to Vicodin) You may experience cramping when the Ergonovine begins contracting the uterus. Propoxyphene will help relieve this cramping. You may take one tablet every four hours as needed for cramping. You also should take this medication with food, because it can make you nauseous. Also do not drive or operate machinery when taking this medication, because it can cause drowsiness.Take one tablet every 4 hours as needed.

Erythromycin: ( This antiniotic maybe given as an alternative to Doxycycline) This is a broad spectrum antibiotic to prevent infection. Erythromycin is to be taken with food, but do not take with milk. Take one tablet 4 times a day for seven days. Possible side effects include: nausea and diarrhea. Take one tablet 4 times a day for seven days.



EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

What Constitutes an Emergency?
• Heavy Bleeding: Saturating one pad in one hour. You should be able to wring blood out.

• Rectal Pressure: Intense rectal pressure with or without bleeding, chills and/ or sweats.

• Temperature: Over 101.4 degrees and/or chills and sweats lasting more than 8 hrs. after taking Tylenol.

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER (520) 323-9682

Leave a message with the answering service. We will usually return your call within 15 minutes. If you have not received a call after 45 minutes, call the answering service again. The answering service will only put through emergency calls.

Please have a pharmacist's phone number ready in case it is necessary to call in a prescription. If you are experiencing problems, it is important to call as early as possible, as you may be required to come to the office to see the doctor.

Post Procedure Information

Complications are rare and you will soon be able to resume your routine activities. Please call us if you have a problem or a question. Calls can be made from 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Emergency calls may be made at any time.

The next 24 to 72 hours are important in your recovery. If a complication does occur, it is most likely to occur during this period.

Infection
You may feel hot and cold for a few days after the procedure, this is due to hormone changes, not infection. Take your temperature twice a day for the next week. If you have a temperature of 101 .4 or higher for more than 8 hours and then temperature has not decreased with Tylenol, please call the office. This is usually the first sign of infection. If your doctor prescribed a vaginal suppository for an existing infection, stop using it. Over the next two weeks, chances of developing an infection are greater than normal. 

For this reason, DO NOT:
• Engage in any type of vaginal sexual relations.
• Use tampons
• Douche
• Take tub baths
• Swim or Sit in Water (Pools, Hot Tubs, etc.)

Bleeding
You may bleed as much as a normal period for 2 to 3 days, possibly continuing intermittently, for as long as 6 weeks and as little as a few days. You should avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for the next two weeks. Most of your bleeding will be directly related to your level of activity. The bleeding may stop and start again up to 4 to 6 weeks. Color changes in the blood are common. Some women do not bleed at all and is not a reason for concern.

If any of the following occur, call the office immediately:
• Passing clots half dollar size continuously
• Saturating more than one pad an hour
• Using more than 6 pads in 24 hours

Cramps
Cramps can be relieved with either the pain medication you are given or you may use Tylenol, Extra Strength Tylenol, Advil, Motrin or any Ibuprofen product. Just be sure to take the product as directed. If you have severe, lasting cramps, please call the office.

Breast Tenderness
You may have tenderness or fullness in your breasts for the first two weeks after your surgery. This will subside by itself. If you have discharge from your nipples, wear a tight bra all day and night for at least five days. Do not stimulate your breasts, this will produce more milk.

Morning Sickness
Nausea should pass within the next 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.

FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION
Contact the office to schedule your follow-up visit if one was not scheduled at the time of your surgery. You should be seen six weeks after your surgery. No fee is charged for this visit. You will be receiving a pregnancy test and discussion of contraception at this office visit. The follow up is your only guarantee that your abortion was complete and that you are completely healed. If follow up is made after 10 weeks, there may by a charge. NO CHILDREN ARE ALLOWED TO ANY OFFICE VISIT.

Your next regular period should occur within four to six weeks after you procedure. If you are using birth control pills, your period should start after the completion of your first pack of pills. If your period does not start within eight weeks or if you continue to bleed for more than three weeks post procedure, call the office.

Emotional Follow-Up
While some feelings of depression may occur due to hormonal changes, severe depression is not normal. If this type of depression occurs, please feel free to call for a referral to a counselor. Few women ever think that they will personally experience an abortion, so this may have been a traumatic time for you. We only hope that we have been able to make it a little easier for you. We care. Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions once you are home.