Are you facing an unexpected pregnancy and now weighing your options? You deserve to understand all your options before you make a final decision. At Alternatives Care Centers, we believe women should never have to make that decision feeling rushed, pressured, or alone. That is why we offer free pregnancy testing, limited obstetrical ultrasounds, education, and ongoing support, all at no cost.
We want you to have truthful information about every option, so let’s look at abortion.
Because we believe every unborn life is precious and worthy of protection, we do not provide or refer for abortions.
What Happens to Your Body Immediately After an Abortion?
So what should you expect now that the abortion is over? That will depend on how far along you were in the pregnancy, and what type of abortion you had. There are two types:
- Medical abortion: this is when you take medication to end your pregnancy, often referred to as the “abortion pill”. If you are less than 12 weeks pregnant, medication such as Mifepristone can be taken at home, followed by a prostaglandin such as Misoprostol, which stimulates your uterus to contract, inducing an abortion. These medications do have side effects such as cramping, pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Surgical abortion: this is when the doctor performs a surgical procedure to remove the fetus and placenta from the uterus. The doctor dilates the cervix (opening to the uterus) and then uses suction to remove the embryo and placenta. If you are more than 16 weeks pregnant, the procedure would include dilation, suction, as well as forceps to remove the fetus and other pregnancy tissue.
Normal Physical Symptoms During Recovery
- Bleeding after abortion is normal. If you had a medical abortion, bleeding may be much heavier than a normal period. After a surgical abortion, bleeding should not be heavier than a normal period. You may bleed for up to four weeks. Small clots that are red to dark purple are normal. As the bleeding slows, your flow may become yellow to brown and may have a sour smell. Most doctors recommend wearing a sanitary pad rather than using tampons until your flow stops to reduce the risk of infection. Avoid sex until your bleeding stops. You can become pregnant while still bleeding after an abortion, so pregnancy prevention should be started right away. The only 100% foolproof way to prevent pregnancy is abstinence.
- Cramping: Cramping after abortion usually lasts a few days. Your provider may say you can take ibuprofen (up to 800 mg every 8 hours) or acetaminophen (up to 1,000 mg every 6 hours) for relief. Do not take more than 2400 mg of ibuprofen or 4000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours to prevent liver damage. A heating pad or hot water bottle on your stomach may help relieve cramping.
- Nausea or vomiting: These symptoms usually subside within a few days. Try peppermint or chamomile tea, ginger ale, or candied ginger to ease nausea.
- Breast symptoms: Your breasts may feel tender for up to 10 days after an abortion. Wear a good supportive bra, take over-the-counter pain medication if needed, and use ice packs to reduce discomfort.
- Other symptoms: Other symptoms such as diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, and headache may occur immediately after abortion. These should resolve quickly with rest and over-the-counter medication as needed.
Potential Abortion Complications
While complications are rare, they can happen and are worth mentioning. Some of the most common ones include:
- Infection: There is a small chance of infection after both a medical or surgical abortion. If your doctor gives you an antibiotic after your procedure, take all the prescribed doses. Some ways to lessen your chance of infection are to avoid swimming, douching, bathing (showering is fine), and having sex while you heal. Your doctor can tell you when it’s safe to resume these activities.
- Incomplete Abortion: This is when the pregnancy is not completely removed. It is more likely to happen after a medical abortion and would require a procedure to complete the abortion.
- Hemorrhage: Some bleeding is normal, but extremely heavy bleeding can be dangerous.
- Injury to organs: You can have an injury to your uterus, bowel, or bladder during a surgical abortion. This would be more likely after a late-term abortion.
When Should I Call My Doctor?
Call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms, as they may point to complications.
- You have to change your pad more than once an hour, or you have clots larger than a lemon that last more than two hours.
- You have chest pain or shortness of breath.
- You have swelling or pain in one leg.
- You have continued pain or pregnancy symptoms for longer than two weeks.
- You have signs of infection that don’t go away, including fever, vaginal drainage with a foul odor, vaginal drainage that looks like pus, or pain in your abdomen.
- You feel lightheaded or dizzy.
- You are vomiting and cannot keep any food or liquid down.
Remember, it is always better to err on the side of caution and call your doctor’s office if you are experiencing symptoms you feel may be a complication.
Abortion Recovery Timeline
Abortion is not a simple medical procedure. For most women, recovery from abortion takes place over a few weeks as the uterus returns to its original size and hormones return to their pre-pregnancy levels. For some women, it is a life-changing event with significant physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences. These consequences all deserve to be addressed and can take time.
Emotional Recovery After an Abortion
According to Focus on the Family, “Post-abortive women tend toward secrecy and silence. This can isolate them from potential healing and hope after an abortion”.
Acknowledging your feelings and seeking help as you recover is a sign of strength. Alternatives Care Centers offer abortion counseling via an abortion recovery Bible study designed to help women who have had abortions find freedom, forgiveness, and grace through Jesus. Trained facilitators lead this confidential study and have received forgiveness and healing themselves.
At Alternatives Care Centers, we believe every unborn child is precious in the eyes of the Lord and that women deserve compassionate support, truthful medical information, and practical resources. We recognize that every pregnancy situation is unique, and we are committed to walking alongside women with respect and compassion, regardless of where they are in their journey. Call today for a free, confidential consultation.
Written by June Pomeroy RN, BSN
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/women/abortion-self-care-after
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life/post-abortion-hope-and-healing
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000658.htm
Before You Decide Pamphlet by B4youdecide.org, published in 2023 by CareNet.
