AFTER ABORTION CARE

Most medical or surgical abortion procedures require some sort of after-care instructions. Your abortion provider should give you written instructions about both your physical and emotional health after an abortion procedure.

Basic After-Abortion Care

• Drink lots of fluids – water, milk, juice, sports drinks. Consider passing up or limiting carbonated beverages for a few days to prevent the risk of gas build-up.
• If possible, take a few days off from work or school to give your body a chance to recover. Rest and nap/sleep as much as possible.
• Take a daily vitamin and choose healthy foods to help your body recover.
• If you are prescribed antibiotics, begin taking them right away and take the full prescription as part of your after-abortion care.
• Limit exercise for up to two weeks.
• Don’t lift anything heavier than 15 pounds (average bowling ball weight).
• No swimming, tub baths, or douching for a minimum of two weeks.
• Do not insert anything into your vagina for a minimum of two weeks – this means no sex, no tampons, etc.
• If the pregnancy was past nine weeks, you may experience some breast soreness, tightness, swelling, and possibly some fluid leakage. Wear a well-fitting, slightly snug bra or sports bra until the symptoms are gone (these symptoms usually go away in about two-four weeks).
• If you develop a fever, extreme tenderness, or notice red streaks and/or heat in your breast(s), call your doctor.

Note: You may ovulate within a couple weeks after the abortion procedure, which means you could get pregnant before you resume your normal period cycle.