Post Abortion Care Do's and Don'ts

She Might Staff

11/6/2024

Whether you’ve had multiple abortions or this is your first, post abortion care is critical to your well-being. The more self-care and reflection you pour in upfront, the healthier you become in the end.

Whether you received a medical or surgical abortion, your body has experienced something out of the ordinary and needs time to recover. In this article we will outline the normal side effects of an abortion and go over some tips for taking care of yourself in the days to come.

Still exploring your pregnancy options?

This article is intended for women who have recently obtained an abortion and are seeking recovery tips. If you're still exploring your pregnancy options, you may wish to take the Pregnancy Clarity Quiz. This 5-minute quiz was designed to help you process your next steps with greater self-awareness, confidence, and clarity.

Common Post Abortion Side Effects

Let’s talk about your physical recovery. What happens when you are at home? What can be expected in terms of pain and bleeding? What symptoms should raise red flags?

Pain and Cramping: After your abortion, cramping and abdominal pain is normal. You may experience cramping (similar to menstrual cramps) that can persist as long as 4 weeks after the abortion.1 However, pain that is so severe that it cannot be relieved by medicine, rest, or heat (e.g. heating pad) is a problem that will require professional medical attention.

Bleeding: Your menstrual period should return about 4 to 7 weeks after the abortion procedure. In the meantime, bleeding and spotting generally occur up to 2 weeks post-procedure, but it can continue longer (particularly if your pregnancy was beyond 7 weeks gestation). 2

When is bleeding a problem? If you’re soaking 2+ heavy sanitary pads in an hour for 2 hours in a row, or if you’re bleeding heavily for more than 12 hours, call your medical provider immediately. 3

Continued Pregnancy Symptoms: You may continue to experience pregnancy symptoms (such as nausea, vomiting, exhaustion) after the abortion procedure. You may also experience breast discomfort (including engorgement, tenderness, or leaking). This may be relieved by applying a cold compress, wearing a supportive bra, and avoiding nipple stimulation.4

Reactions to Sedatives: If you were provided with a sedative for the procedure, you may feel the effects (e.g. sleepiness, blurry vision, headache, unbalanced walking) for up to 24 hours. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery within that time period.5 Avoid additional medications with sedative effects (e.g. sleeping aids).

Other Symptoms: Look out for signs of infection—which may include a fever over 100.4 degrees, nausea, dizziness, and/or muscle aches. Vomiting, swelling (in the belly or in the genital area), and passing large blood clots and/or smelly discharge are also cause for concern.6

When to Seek Medical Care

If your symptoms feel abnormal or reflect any of the above concerns, be sure to seek medical attention. When you seek medical attention due to abnormal symptoms, be prepared to answer such questions as:

How severe is your cramping or pain?

How heavy is your bleeding?

How many pads have you used in the last hour? Were the pads soaked through?

Did you notice any blood clots? What size were they?7

It’s also totally possible that you may be feeling off, but your symptoms don’t match the worrisome symptoms listed above. You know your body better than anyone else, and if something feels off, there is no harm in calling your medical provider.

Physical Recovery Tips

In the days after taking the abortion pill or having a surgical abortion, you’ll need to slow down a bit to allow your body to recover. There are a few important do’s and don’ts to remember in those first two weeks after the abortion:

Follow medical advice for medication use: Your healthcare provider will likely provide you with medications (e.g. doxycycline) to prevent infections.8 They may also recommend over-the-counter medications for pain management (e.g. ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about provided medications or support for more effective pain management.9

Rest: If you can, take a day or two off from work to give yourself adequate time for rest and recovery. Slow down for a few days. Give yourself permission to take a break from extra social obligations.10

Don’t push your body too hard: Avoid strenuous exercise for 1-2 weeks.11 Check with your medical provider if you’re unsure of when it might be safe to step back into your fitness routine.

Check in with your emotional health: Take a moment to acknowledge how you are feeling. Allow yourself to process any and all thoughts and feelings related to your abortion experience. You can do this by journaling, seeking out a trusted friend, or talking to a mental health professional. It is important to engage in holistic healing, and that includes taking stock of your emotional and mental health.

Avoid douching: Rinsing your vagina with fluids can lead to infection. If you intend to soak in a tub, it is recommended that you avoid any heavily perfumed items in your bath water. 12

Sexual activity: Wait to have sexual intercourse until you’re cleared by your medical provider. You will need to wait at least a week, possibly longer, depending on how your recovery is going.13

Birth control: It is possible to become pregnant after your abortion and before your next period, so you will want to consider how to navigate this next month or so. If you used birth control at the time of your pregnancy, this is an opportunity to discuss whether or not this method works for you. This will be a conversation for your healthcare provider and/or your partner (if applicable).

[Article- How Soon Can I get Pregnant After an Abortion?]

Moving Forward

It may be hard to hit pause on life for a few days to recover, but it is time well spent. As you consider where you are now, what could have been, and where you hope to be, give yourself whatever time you need to decide what your life will look like beyond recovery.

Editor’s Note / Disclaimer: This She Might article is not designed to replace medical, legal, or professional advice, diagnosis, opinion, treatment, or services. Please refer to your medical provider for your health questions and treatment plan.