What to Expect After a Medical Abortion

Published on March 14, 2023 .

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After Medical Abortion — Image by fizkes via Shutterstock

When you decide to undergo a medical abortion, it's important to understand what you can expect in the days and weeks that follow. While every woman's experience is unique, there are some common symptoms and experiences. Knowing these potential symptoms ahead of time will help you prepare for any emotional and physical challenges that come with a medical abortion. In this article, we'll talk about what you should anticipate during those early post-abortion weeks so that you're fully informed before making your decision.

After a medical abortion, it is normal to experience some physical side effects, like intense cramping and bleeding.
The timing of the symptoms experienced after a medical abortion varies from person to person; however, symptoms resolve for many patients within two weeks.
Always follow your doctor's guidance regarding pain relief or other medications you should take after a medical abortion.
If you experience significant pain or other symptoms, such as fever, nausea, vomiting for more than 24 hours, or extreme sadness and guilt, be sure to reach out to your doctor.
Knowing what to expect after a medical abortion helps women make more informed decisions.

Symptoms after a medical abortion

Generally, a medical abortion involves taking two or three different medications at different intervals, typically mifepristone (given orally) followed by misoprostol (placed either inside the cheeks of the mouth or administered vaginally). It can take from a few hours to a couple of days for the medical abortion to be complete, depending on the person and how far along the pregnancy is.

Shortly after taking the final medication (typically 1 hour after misoprostol), women will experience intense side effects like cramping and heavier bleeding than your normal period as the pregnancy tissue passes.

Bleeding that is more similar to your typical period will likely continue for 5 to 7 days, decreasing thereafter. Although bleeding stops 14 days from the beginning for 65% of women, some may experience light spotting up to several weeks after the medical abortion takes place.

It is important to remember that medical abortions can vary from woman to woman. Medical professionals can provide care and support throughout the entire medical abortion phase.

Tips for self-care after a medical abortion

After a medical abortion, make time to take care of yourself emotionally and physically. On the physical side of medical abortion care, some women can benefit from resting within the first 24 hours if experiencing heavy bleeding and intense cramping.

Some women may also experience a range of emotions, such as relief, sadness, guilt, or regret. Although negative emotions have largely been shown to decrease over time, giving yourself time and space to navigate these feelings is important.

Your medical provider will likely ask you to take over-the-counter painkillers if needed, so be sure to follow their instructions on dosage and any other directions they give you. In addition, if you were prescribed antibiotic pills for infection prevention, take all medication on schedule and complete the course of antibiotics.

Taking proper precautions and being honest with your medical provider about any symptoms you experience can help ensure a smooth recovery.

Problems after abortion – what to do?

After undergoing a medical abortion, you must monitor your health to ensure no signs of medical complications. Keep an eye out for clots larger than an egg, heavy bleeding (going through 2 or more overnight pads every hour), feeling dizzy or fainting, signs of anemia, or a fever that last more than 24 hours.

Be sure to immediately contact your doctor for medical advice and treatment if you notice any of these symptoms. Regular follow-up visits with your doctor are vital to ensure the medical abortion was successful and all tissue was expelled from the uterus.

If the cramping becomes severe or the bleeding is heavier than what was expected, it is important to contact medical professionals for advice.

A medical abortion is a safe and effective way to end an early pregnancy. You can expect to experience cramping and bleeding after taking the medication, which should last a few hours to days. Some light spotting may continue for up to four weeks. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication and antibiotics to help you through this process.

As with all forms of care, it is important to remember that everyone's healing process and timeline are different. If you have any severe symptoms or think you may be having a problem, immediately contact your doctor for support. Overall, understanding what to expect after a medical abortion should help you feel more prepared and confident in making the right decision for you.