Is it safe to continue pregnancy after an 8-month-old baby?

Question

Hello doctor,

My baby is eight months old. Today, my pregnancy test came out positive again. I have nausea and a little bit of abdominal pain. My LMP was one month and four days ago.

Please suggest whether I should continue or abort this baby.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query.

A positive pregnancy test and nausea after your last period about a month ago could mean you're around 4 to 5 weeks pregnant. Since you have an 8-month-old baby, it is totally normal if all this feels like too much to handle.

You have to decide what to do about the pregnancy. Take all the time you need to think about what's best for you and the pregnancy.

Before you make any decision, you need to make sure you are really pregnant. You should go see a doctor or go to a clinic as soon as you can. They will do an ultrasound and a blood test called beta hCG. This test is very important because you also have abdominal pain.

Mild cramping can happen in early pregnancy and is often normal, but pain with a positive test must be checked to rule out ectopic pregnancy, a pregnancy outside the uterus, which can be dangerous.

If you notice some symptoms, you should go to your doctor on the same day. Visit your doctor if you have

Pain on one side of the abdomen.
Severe or worsening pain.
Vaginal bleeding.
Dizziness or fainting.
Shoulder pain.

These can be warning signs of ectopic pregnancy.

Many women do have healthy pregnancies even with a small age gap between babies, though it can be physically tiring. If you want to continue the pregnancy, then start now.

Folic acid 400 to 800 mcg daily.
Drink fluids.
Avoid smoking, alcohol, and unsafe medicines.
Book an antenatal visit soon.

If you are thinking about abortion, then a safe abortion is a medical option, especially in the first 12 weeks, but it should be done through a qualified doctor or clinic and only after confirming the pregnancy location with a scan, because abortion pills do not treat an ectopic pregnancy.

The WHO (World Health Organization) notes that abortion is very safe when done with recommended methods and proper guidance. Please do not take any pills on your own without a scan first, because of the abdominal pain.

If you want, I can help you estimate how many weeks pregnant you are from your dates and talk through the pros and cons of continuing versus ending the pregnancy in a non-judgmental way.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.