Part of: It’s your choice: a judgement-free guide to abortion
Physical wellbeing after abortion
Disclaimer: This note cannot be used as a medical guide.
The best way to care for ourselves physically after an abortion is to have medically accurate information about our bodies and the procedure. We should also have the contact information of a medical professional we trust for any necessary follow-up - especially if seeking abortion care is prohibited in our jurisdiction.
We should make sure that the medical professional providing our abortion provides us with information about possible side effects, as well as steps to take if we are having abnormal symptoms.
Listening to our body after abortion
An abortion is a medical procedure. Like any procedure, it can result in side effects, some of which are completely normal, and some that we need to be mindful of. Listening to our body and noting how it responds and recovers following an abortion can be the biggest act of self-care.
After having an abortion, it is normal for us to have:
Spotting and bleeding: Bleeding after an abortion is common and will be heavier than a period. “Spotting” is also likely for several weeks following the abortion - this just means that there will be some continuous light bleeding, but this is normal. This is usually similar to period bleeding as our body recovers and tampons and pads can both be used, or whatever else feels comfortable. If there is unexpected heavy bleeding, our providers can tell us if we should only be needing sanitary pads after the procedure and whether we should monitor the bleeding. This video based on WHO guidelines provides information on what to expect after having a medical abortion.
Some period-type pains or cramps: This is completely normal and expected. Our providers should give us more information on this pain and how to manage it.
It’s important that we know where we can access an in-person healthcare service if we experience any unexpected side effects. There may be local abortion care groups that are safe places to seek support, especially if abortion is prohibited in our jurisdiction. For more information on symptoms and what to expect after an abortion, here are some helpful links from Planned Parenthood:
After an abortion, it’s common for us to wonder if everything is okay. In most cases, there is nothing serious to worry about. It is important that our healthcare providers give us instructions, guidance and information on what to expect following an abortion. This information may vary, so it’s important to check the information provided by our provider, and contact them if we are unsure.
We must be aware of the normal and abnormal symptoms that might follow an abortion so that we can properly care for ourselves. It might be helpful to check in with ourselves and log the way we’ve been feeling in a notebook as it may help us to keep that awareness, or discuss with a friend or family member we trust to keep it in our memory.
Knowing what symptoms to look out for and maintaining awareness with our bodies means we can more easily identify and get the support we need to ensure our physical wellbeing after abortion.
Recovery and self-care after abortion
For some time, our hormones will change as our body tries to find balance again. We may feel sore, tired, and emotionally confused (we’ll look at how to manage emotional wellbeing in the next note).
What is most important is to take good care our ourselves after an abortion. This involves following professional medical guidance, of course, but also trying to keep to regular routines with our sleeping habits, diet, any physical activities once we can, and spending time with supportive, caring people, if possible. Some of the guidance we are given might be to avoid strenuous exercise to make sure we recover well, and to avoid sexual intercourse for a certain amount of time - our healthcare provider should give us contraception options.
If possible, we should plan to take a couple of days to rest after the procedure. We may consider focusing on light activities like reading, watching TV or any other soothing interest that gives us joy and comfort.
Here are some self-care tips that we can try if we’re physically struggling:
Massaging our stomachs can help us with cramping and support the passing of tissue. Massaging our lower backs may also help with cramps. Some medical pain relief can help too, such as ibuprofen.
Grabbing a hot water bottle or heating pad and applying heat to ease the soreness in our stomach or back may also relieve cramping and pain.
Monitoring our temperature every day for a week will help us identify if we are recovering well, as fever could indicate a possible infection.
Attending any follow-ups. It may be that our healthcare provider hasn’t set up anything for a follow-up, which is fine. If they have, it’s important to attend it to ensure we are healing well. If we feel like we need or want a follow-up, we should be able to call and request one.
Moving around, stretching or doing yoga can help with pain and cramping. Try the cat pose or child's pose to help with the pain.
We also suggest creating a self-care package full of helpful items, such as a water bottle or heating pad, a pile of feel-good films or shows for a good laugh (or cry), our favourite treats, some cosy and comforting pajamas, and some tea. We must snuggle up, get comfortable, and take care of ourselves.
Periods and sex after abortion
For those of us who menstruate, our bodies will begin to prepare for our next menstrual cycle, which usually takes a few weeks to return. It may be normal for the first few periods and cycles to be slightly irregular, but we can check with our provider if we are concerned. A helpful way to keep a record of our abortion bleeding may be to track cycles through apps like drip, where we can also log symptoms like cramps, sore breasts, and nausea to track our physical wellbeing.
Doctors generally advise that we avoid sex for a couple of weeks after our abortion to reduce the risk of any infections. It is very important to know that it is still possible to get pregnant almost immediately after an abortion. If we do not want to become pregnant, we recommend having contraception ready to use. Not all contraceptive options may be available during our appointment and our healthcare providers will advise us on our options, but if they don’t, we can always go back to ask for help.
If we are in a situation where someone is pressuring us to have sex before it is medically advised, making us feel guilty for not being able to have sex, or pressuring us into other sexual acts we are not comfortable with, remember that their behavior is not okay. We never have to engage in a sexual act if we do not want to and we do not owe sex to anyone. If we find ourselves in a situation like this, we can find more support through the Chayn guide Manipulation is Abuse.
When recovering from an abortion it is important to maintain our physical wellbeing, check in with ourselves, and - once again - always listen to our bodies. Having a clear understanding of possible symptoms and taking note of how we feel may help us understand what our body is doing or going through, and can help us know when to ask for further help when we feel something is not right. In the next note, we will examine how to look after our emotional wellbeing.