The aftermath of an abortion can be a stressful time, both physically and mentally. You may have questions about what to expect and what is and isn’t normal.
While everyone’s experience is different, it can be helpful to have some guidelines to help you as you recover. In today’s article, we’ll be discussing what to expect after an abortion.
How Long Does it Take to Recover After Abortion?
Recovery time after abortion may vary. Some women feel better within a day or two, while others take up to a few days to physically recover.
Here are a few post-abortion care tips to help you through the recovery process[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.
How Long Do You Bleed After an Abortion?
The amount and length of time that you bleed after an abortion depends on the type of procedure you received and how far along you were in your pregnancy.
After taking the abortion pill, you may bleed for about 9 to 16 days, but it could last for up to 3 weeks.[2] After a surgical abortion, you may bleed for up to 4 weeks.[3] Sanitary pads can help absorb the bleeding. Change them every 2 to 4 hours to avoid infection.[4]
What are the Side Effects After Abortion?
Bleeding and cramping are the most common side effects after abortion. You may also experience[5]:
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea and digestive pain
- Chills
- Fever
Some abortion pill side effects can be severe. Seek treatment immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Allergic reaction. If you’re allergic to any ingredients in vaginal misoprostol, you could go into anaphylactic shock.[6]
- Hemorrhaging. It’s normal to bleed for a while after taking the abortion pill. However, if you soak through two full-size sanitary pads per hour, for two or more hours, you could be hemorrhaging.[7]
- Incomplete abortion. Incomplete abortions occur when some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus after misoprostol has been taken. Emergency surgery may be needed to remove the remaining tissue and prevent infection.[8]
- Infection. If you experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever for more than 24 hours after taking the second medication, an infection may have developed. You may need antibiotics or even surgery to treat your condition.[9]
How Long Do Pregnancy Symptoms Last After Abortion?
Unfortunately, pregnancy symptoms don’t immediately go away after an abortion. Your hormones may take a while to regulate after an abortion (whether chemical or surgical), causing pregnancy symptoms to linger.[10]
Pregnancy symptoms such as nausea and vomiting can take up to three days to go away after a surgical abortion. Additionally, one of the main side effects of the abortion pill is nausea, which can be severe.[11] If you take the wrong dosage, the nausea can last up to a week and you may need medical treatment to stop it.[12]
How Long After Abortion Should I Get My Period?
Your period should return within four to six weeks after an abortion.[13] However, the first one may be slightly irregular because of hormonal changes caused by the abortion.[14]
Can You Get Postpartum Depression After Abortion?
Women can experience a wide range of emotions after abortion, including depression. One study found that 34% of participants reported mental health struggles after their abortion, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts.[15] Another study suggests that women who experience abortion have a 30% increased risk of developing a mental health disorder[16], with many seeking mental health support afterward.[17]
If you are having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 immediately.
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.
If you want more support on your healing 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
- Danco Laboratories, LLC. (2022). MEDICATION GUIDE: Mifeprex. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/020687s014lbl.pdf
- https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000658.htm
- See source #3.
- 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 #5.
- Misoprostol (Oral Route). Mayo Clinic. (2023, February 1). https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/misoprostol-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20064805?p=1
- See source #10.
- See source #10.
- Medical Abortion. (2024). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21899-medical-abortion
- See source #13.
- Support After Abortion. (2022, October). Study Shows Long-Term Negative Impact of Medication Abortion. https://supportafterabortion.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Study-Shows-Long-Term-Negative-Impact-of-Medication-Abortion.pdf
- Fergusson DM, Horwood LJ, Boden JM. Abortion and mental health disorders: evidence from a 30-year longitudinal study. British Journal of Psychiatry. 2008;193(6):444-451. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/abortion-and-mental-health-disorders-evidence-from-a-30year-longitudinal-study/59A90CBF3A58C58B342CBCFFBBFEBD2E
- Studnicki, J., Longbons, T., Fisher, J., Reardon, D. C., Skop, I., Cirucci, C. A., Harrison, D. J., Craver, C., Tsulukidze, M., & Ras, Z. (2023, June 15). A Cohort Study of Mental Health Services Utilization Following a First Pregnancy Abortion or Birth. International Journal of Women’s Health. https://www.dovepress.com/a-cohort-study-of-mental-health-services-utilization-following-a-first-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-IJWH
