It’s important to prioritize self-care in the days after an abortion to support your physical and emotional well-being. Here are 5 post-abortion care tips to help you find healing. Keep reading to learn more.
1. Give Yourself Time to Physically Recover
Abortion can be taxing on the body, so give yourself time to physically recover. Here are a few guidelines[1]:
- If you’re working and/or in school, you may want to take a few days off to rest.
- Avoid strenuous activity for a few days. Do not lift anything heavier than 10 pounds.
- Avoid vaginal intercourse for up to 3 weeks, unless approved by your doctor.
- Avoid aerobic activity, such as running or working out until approved by your doctor.
- Avoid taking a bath or swimming for a week to prevent infection (showering is ok).
- Do not use tampons or put anything in your vagina for a week.
Don’t push yourself to get back to your normal routine as quickly as possible. That will only make it harder to fully recover. Take your time and follow any post-abortion care instructions your healthcare provider gives.
2. Listen to Your Body
It’s important to listen to your body as you recover. Know that you may experience side effects and prepare accordingly with a quiet place to rest, sanitary pads, and over-the-counter pain relief medication (such as Ibuprofen).
Common side effects after abortion include[2]:
- Spotting or bleeding that can last up to a month
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea and digestive pain
- Chills
- Fever
- Abdominal cramping (caused by the abortion pill)
While certain side effects are expected, you should be aware of severe complications, such as:
- Allergic reaction. If you’re allergic to any ingredients in vaginal misoprostol (one of the drugs used for the abortion pill), you could go into anaphylactic shock.[3]
- Hemorrhaging. It’s normal to bleed for a while after an abortion. However, if you soak through two full-size sanitary pads per hour, for two or more hours, you could be hemorrhaging.[4]
- Incomplete abortion. Incomplete abortions occur when some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus after an abortion. Emergency surgery may be needed to remove the remaining tissue and prevent infection.[5]
- Infection. If you experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever for more than 24 hours after an abortion, an infection may have developed. You may need antibiotics or even surgery to treat your condition.[6]
If you experience any of these complications, pay attention to your body’s signals. Contact your healthcare provider immediately to receive treatment.
3. Acknowledge Your Feelings
It’s normal to experience a wide range of emotions after an abortion. You may initially feel relieved, but start to feel sad or guilty later. You may even experience mental health struggles, such as depression or anxiety.
Be kind to yourself during this time. Acknowledge and express your emotions without judging yourself for how you feel.
4. Avoid Emotional Triggers
Social media can be triggering after a major life event like abortion. Consider taking a break to avoid emotional triggers, such as posts about babies or pregnancy announcements. You don’t owe anyone an explanation—you can simply delete your apps until you feel ready to return.
5. Seek Emotional Support
Know that you’re not alone on your healing journey. Reach out to people you trust for emotional support. If you don’t feel safe confiding in someone you know, consider joining an after-abortion support group.
At Abortion Recovery Alabama, we believe no one should walk alone after an abortion. That’s why we provide confidential, compassionate support groups. It can be helpful and healing to speak to someone who understands exactly what you’re going through.
Click here to take your first step toward healing.
Post-Abortion Care and Support Groups in Alabama and Online
We understand how complicated the aftermath of abortion can be, both physically and emotionally. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help and take the time you need to care for yourself.
We hope that these post-abortion care tips help you to find peace. If you want more support on your journey, consider joining one of our post-abortion support groups. Groups are located in various locations in Alabama. You can also participate virtually.
Give us a call at (205) 894-2868. today. All services are confidential and free of charge!
Please be aware that Abortion Recovery Alabama does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2023, January 1). Abortion – procedure – aftercare. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000658.htm
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2023, December 15). Mifepristone (Mifeprex). MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html
- Shin, Hyun Joo, et al. “Anaphylactic Shock to Vaginal Misoprostol: A Rare Adverse Reaction to a Frequently Used Drug.” PubMed Central (PMC), 9 Aug. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6137020
- FDA. (2016). Prescribing Information for Mifeprex. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/022348s014lbl.pdf
- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, July 29). Medical Abortion. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
- See source #2.