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After the Operation

Check Up

You should have a check up two to six weeks after the abortion. (The time varies from hospital to hospital). This is important to make sure that there are no complications such as pelvic infection or continued vaginal bleeding. A pelvic examination should be carried out to make sure that the uterus is empty as, very occasionally, pregnancy does continue after the procedure. A repeat procedure would then be needed.

General advice

It is best to avoid tampons immediately after the operation because of the risk of infection while the cervix is open. You should use sanitary towels. For the same reason, it is advisable not to have intercourse for four weeks or a week after the bleeding has stopped, whichever is sooner. You may also be advised to take showers instead of baths and to take it easy for a few days after the operation. You can go back to work as soon as you feel like it.

After an anaesthetic, tolerance of drugs (including alcohol) is impaired. Avoid alcohol and other drugs for at least 24 hours.

Bleeding
Women bleed in varying amounts after an abortion. Slight bleeding for up to three weeks is considered normal but heavy bleeding or clots should be investigated, as well as any pain, feverishness or feeling unwell. Most problems show up within two to three weeks after the operation.

Coping

Many women feel relieved after an abortion, but some may need time to adjust to the experience of having had an unplanned pregnancy. An abortion may not be an easy decision and each woman will have different feelings, depending on her circumstances. While the medical side of things may be taken care of, the emotional side may be neglected. It's important to acknowledge difficult feelings when they exist. It's often helpful to talk over your feelings with a close friend or other women who have also had abortions.

Support

Some women feel they have all the support they need from their friends, family and/or partners. Other women may feel more isolated, have no one to talk to, or feel that they can't bother their friends any more. For this reason post-abortion support has been set up to provide a place where women can talk about their experiences, good and bad, without feeling judged or criticised in any way.

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SOME OF THE INFORMATION ON THESE PAGES HAS NOW BEEN SUPERSEDED

Based on leaflets written by Lesley Dike
and Women’s Reproductive Rights Information Centre. This edition revised by Women’s Health 1999.

This leaflet is protected by Copyright © Women's Health. You may print off one copy for personal use only.