After an abortion, it is normal to have questions about what you are feeling and whether your recovery is on track. Some physical symptoms are expected, while others may be signs that something needs attention. Knowing the difference matters, and you deserve honest, clear information to help you care for yourself well.
At Life Light Pregnancy Help Center, we care about your well-being. We offer free self-administered urine pregnancy tests, ultrasound referrals, along with other pregnancy services at no cost. Whether you are gathering information beforehand or processing your experience afterward, we are here for you.
Request an appointment today.
After a Medical Abortion
A medical abortion uses two drugs in sequence. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, the hormone that supports the pregnancy, and misoprostol is taken one to two days later to cause uterine contractions and expel the pregnancy and related tissue through cramping and vaginal bleeding. The FDA has approved this method through 10 weeks of gestation.
Cramping and vaginal bleeding are expected and will occur as part of the process. Other side effects many women report include:
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Headache, fever, or chills
- Passing clots or tissue
Potential risks to be aware of include heavy or prolonged bleeding, infection, and incomplete abortion, where tissue remains in the uterus and requires additional medical care.
After a Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is performed in a clinical setting using suction and medical instruments to manually remove the pregnancy from the uterus. Cramping and bleeding in the days following the procedure are common as the uterus returns to its normal size.
Possible surgical abortion-related risks can include infection, heavy bleeding, injury to the cervix, uterine perforation, or scar tissue forming inside the uterus. In rare cases, scar tissue formation has been associated with changes in future fertility.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Some symptoms following an abortion warrant prompt medical attention. Reach out to a healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:
- Soaking through more than two pads per hour for two consecutive hours
- Blood clots larger than a lemon
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours
- Severe abdominal pain that does not improve
- Foul-smelling discharge
- No bleeding within 24 hours of taking misoprostol
These symptoms can indicate infection or incomplete abortion and should not be ignored. Left untreated, infection can lead to more serious complications.
You Do Not Have to Navigate This Alone
Recovery after an abortion is different for every woman, and it is okay to have questions about what you are experiencing. Whatever you are carrying right now, you do not have to sort through it alone. Life Light Pregnancy Help Center is here to listen, answer your questions honestly, and walk alongside you with the care you deserve. We offer post abortion counseling to help you navigate the hurt following an abortion.
Make a free, confidential appointment at Life Light today.
Because Life Light is pro-women and a non-profit, we do not provide or refer for abortion services. We provide all of our services at no cost.
All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
