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After an Abortion
It’s important to know common abortion pill
side effects and when to seek medical attention
if necessary.
If you had an abortion, it is important to take care of yourself.
- Drink water and healthy fluids.
- Eat healthy food.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Avoid strenuous exercise and lifting heavy objects for at least one week.
- Take any antibiotics you were given for the full number of days prescribed.
- Avoid vaginal insertions for at least two weeks, including sex and tampons.
Call your doctor if you are concerned about any symptoms you are having.
Common side effects following an abortion
Most women experience some of the following after an abortion:
Common Physical Effects [1]:
-
- Bleeding – on average bleeding lasts 14 days, but can last as long as 21 days
- Cramping
- Fever/Chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting/Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Headache/Dizziness
These symptoms typically resolve within a week, sometimes longer. If symptoms persist or become severe, don’t hesitate to seek immediate medical attention.
Possible Mental Effects [2]:
- Relationship problems
- Substance abuse
- Depression and anxiety
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Complicated grief
- PTSD symptoms
- Anger
- Shame and guilt
- Sleep problems and bad dreams
- Avoiding and distracting yourself
- Feelings of hopelessness or emptiness
- Negative feelings about yourself and others
If you are experiencing any of these emotional side effects, help is available to you. You are not alone in what you have been feeling, and you don’t have to be alone as you try to navigate recovery.
Complications After an Abortion
Call your medical practitioner or seek medical attention immediately if you have any of the following symptoms after abortion:
- Heavy bleeding or passing large clots (larger than golf ball size)
- Bleeding that lasts more than 14 days
- Fever over 100 degrees
- Abdominal pain that is worse than a normal period
- Signs of infection such as achiness and general feeling of illness
- Vomiting that lasts more than 4 hours
- Sudden abdominal swelling or rapid heart rate
- Vaginal discharge that has increased in amount or smells bad
- Pain, redness or swelling in the genital area
- Signs or symptoms of depression
Get the support you need after an abortion. You don’t have to go through this alone.
Sources:
[1] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/020687Orig1s025Lbl.pdf
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34054675/
Our Location
Harmony Women’s Care
845 North Main St.
Suite 3
Providence, RI 02904
(Patient parking on Abbott Street)
Text: 401.941.4357
info@harmonycareri.org