Recovering after an uncomplicated pregnancy termination will be different for various women and will depend on how far along the woman was in the gestational stage when the abortion occurred. Most women will recover quickly within few numbers of weeks. In fact, most women can return to their daily activities and work after few days of rest.
Many healthcare experts actually recommend delay returning to work after the procedure as you will experience bleeding/ cramps [side effects of taking Mifepristone and Misoprostol abortion pills].
This usually happens for 1 to 2 days after taking the secondary abortive drug, i.e. Misoprostol pills, which has ecbolic properties and thus causes uterine contractions in the womb.
The bleeding after medical termination of pregnancy
After a procedure with abortion pills, you will experience cramps and bleed and you will also pass blood clots/ tissues. The process may take within 4 to 5 hours and is usually completed within 1 to 2 days. Very occasionally, however, it can take up to two weeks [ 14 days] to pass the pregnancy.
Once the conception parts have been ejected, your bleeding will eventually reduce and will feel like a somewhat heavier menstrual cycle that you may normally experience. The heavy period like bleeding may continue to occur for more than a day or two as the uterus needs to shrink and then come back to its natural state after the process.
If the menstruation is heavy for more than two days, like for e.g. you are drenching more than two sanitary pads in one or two hours, then you must immediately contact a healthcare professional.
The pain after medical termination of pregnancy
Most women experience recurring cramping pain after an abortion pill procedure. This cramping pain usually lasts for about 7 days – a week and can be subdued with ibuprofen, paracetamol and heating pads/ hot bottles etc.
It is advised not to use Aspirin following a medical or even a surgical abortion, as doing so can increase the risk of excessive bleeding.
Your feelings after abortive procedure
Following a pregnancy termination, it is completely normal to feel a range of feelings from relief to guilt or sadness. For most women, these feelings fade after few months. As per a study, women who had taken the decision to abort by themselves had more feelings of relief and lesser guilt.
It is recommended that women seeking abortive services should have someone with them while they visit a clinic or start the process at home. There are many confidential counseling services as well as helpline numbers available for women who have had abortive treatments. Therefore, these women can book as many as sessions they need.
Symptoms to look out for after a medical termination of pregnancy:
- Stinking/ discolored vaginal discharge
- Fever or general illness/ feeling unwell
- Continued pain or abdominal tenderness which cannot be subdued by any painkillers
- Lasting heavy bleeding – where you are soaking 2 or more sanitary pads in an hour or two in a row
- A pregnancy test (even after 4 weeks of abortion) [as hCG. pregnancy hormone takes 4 weeks to leave the body even after the pregnancy is canceled].
If you associate with the above-given symptoms, then you must call for medical attention.