What to expect after an abortion or a medical termination of pregnancy (an MTP procedure)? Your usual menses may return within 4-6 weeks. It’s normal to experience irregular bleeding or spotting initially. For some days, you can also expect to have strong mood swings. However, don’t worry and read on to take your optimal post-abortion care.

Physical Care

Cramps like those during menstruation are common after an abortion. After the procedure, a family member or friend must take you home. If needed, you can take the next 1-2 days off work so that you get maximum rest. It’s best to avoid doing emotionally or physically strenuous activities.

After your abortion, your cervix will take time to close. This increases its exposure to infection. To lower the risk of infection, ensure to avoid:

Putting anything (including tampons) inside your vagina 

Using swimming pools

Having penetrative intercourse

Since it usually takes days or weeks for your body to recover, you must take care of it by:

Using a heat pack

Massaging your lower back and stomach

Taking OTC pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen

Attending follow-up appointments

Emotional Care

It can be very difficult to make up your mind about an MTP procedure. So, the experience can be emotionally challenging. Hormonal fluctuations happen more after this procedure, often leading to mood changes. Usually, the levels of oestrogen and progesterone slowly decrease and can cause mood shifts and low mood.

As your menses resume, the hormone levels are expected to stabilise. But if you still experience emotional difficulties, don’t ignore them. Abortion often leads to mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. If you already have a history of mental health conditions, your risk to develop these problems may be more.

Make sure to take sufficient rest, speak with your family and friends, and see a doctor if you have ongoing mental health problems.

Recovery Time

This varies from person to person. If you had an abortion in your first trimester without any side effects, you can expect to recover in a few days. However, late-term abortions are associated with a longer recovery time like many weeks, especially if there are complications. However, women rarely experience abortion-related complications.

Medical Care

After an MTP procedure, you usually need to have a follow-up appointment in a couple of weeks. If you have no complications, you won’t require medical care anymore.

However, if there are signs of complications, you must contact the doctor right away. Although rare, certain complications may need a visit to the emergency room.

When Should You See the Doctor?

You have excessive or increased bleeding that ends up soaking 2 or more plus-size sanitary pads in 1-2 hours. 

You have severe abdominal or back pain.

You feel dizzy or faint.

You get a fever.

You experience nausea and vomiting.

You have an odorous discharge.