If you are thinking about having an abortion, it is helpful to understand what recovery after an abortion may look like.
Knowing what recovery after abortion typically looks like will help you confirm if abortion as a pregnancy option is the right choice for you. It will also help you recognize the signs and symptoms that something may be wrong and when to seek immediate medical attention.
*This article is not a substitute for getting medical care*
What to expect during abortion recovery
Emotional Recovery
Everyone’s emotional recovery after abortion looks different. Some may feel relief while others may feel deep sadness. Sometimes these two emotions can coexist. Many women experience depression and anxiety after an abortion. This is especially true for those with a previous history of mental health issues or childhood trauma.
Other common mental health side effects include relational problems, substance abuse, thoughts of self-harm, grief, and PTSD. These side effects can appear immediately after the abortion or develop years down the road.
Allow yourself to experience the array of emotions you are feeling – whether that’s relief, anger, or grief. Identify one or two people you trust to be a safe place to talk and process your experience with. Most importantly give it time and seek help if you need it.
Talking with a compassionate medical professional can help you navigate this journey and find healing. Thrive Savannah offers free pregnancy consultations that include information on each of your options as well as emotional support after an abortion.
Physical Recovery
It’s important to take care of yourself after an abortion. You will want to drink lots of water, eat healthy foods, and get plenty of rest. Avoid strenuous exercise or lifting heavy objects for at least a week after your abortion. If you were given antibiotics, make sure you take them for the number of days they were prescribed.
Bleeding is likely to continue for several weeks. Avoid inserting anything in your vagina for at least two weeks. This includes tampons, menstrual cups, hormonal vaginal rings, and sex.
Read more about how long you can expect to bleed after an abortion here. Along with bleeding, other common side effects include cramping, fever/chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and headaches.
With any medical procedure there are risks. It’s important to know how to identify if something has gone wrong like an incomplete abortion or infection.
If you are still considering your pregnancy options, it’s important to have a pregnancy evaluation before an abortion. These evaluations are standard care.
How long after abortion can I have sex?
You should wait at least two to three weeks after having an abortion to have sex to prevent infection. All women should have a follow up appointment with a medical provider to ensure no infection is present.
How soon can I get pregnant after abortion?
After an abortion, your body works quickly to get back to your normal cycle. Ovulation is likely to happen two to three weeks following an abortion (even if you’re still bleeding). This means that around the time your doctor clears you or the bleeding stops, you are most likely to get pregnant.
If you are not looking to get pregnant, avoid sex for several more weeks.
When to seek professional medical help
If you are experiencing complications after an abortion like heavy bleeding (soaking through one or more maxi pads per hour for over two hours), passing clots larger than golf ball size, or have a fever over 100.4 for over 24 hours, visit your nearest emergency room as soon as possible.
It’s important to be truthful about having an abortion so they can treat you properly.
Get abortion education and support.
If you are still considering abortion, schedule a free pregnancy evaluation to get the answers you need to make an informed decision. We can walk you through your options and what to expect.
If you already had an abortion and need someone to talk to, you are not alone. Our compassionate staff at Thrive Savannah are here to walk this journey of healing with you.
Get support today.