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Abortion aftercare

Looking after yourself following an abortion.

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Most women recover well from an abortion.

You may have a little pain and bleeding afterwards, but you’ll usually feel better within a few days.

However, if you feel like you’re experiencing any problems – either physical or emotional – after the treatment, we’re here to help. Call our aftercare line any time to talk to one of our friendly, experienced nurses.

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If you would like to learn more about your options, get in touch with our friendly call centre staff.

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What can you expect after an abortion?

It’s good to know what’s normal after an abortion, so you know what to expect and what to look out for.

Most women bleed for one to two weeks afterwards. It’ll feel a bit like having a period and it’s best to use sanitary towels during this time. You may pass some clots, too. Bleeding usually then stops but you might get some spotting until your next period.

You may experience cramping on and off for about a week. You might also have symptoms of nausea, vomiting and tiredness for a few days. You can take paracetemol and ibuprofen to help with this.

Different feelings can come up for people after an abortion, including relief, sadness or guilt. These are all normal things to feel. We’re here to talk at any time and can arrange post-abortion counselling if you need it.

If you have any unusual symptoms or concerns, please get in touch with our aftercare line or talk to your GP.

Post-abortion care

If you’ve had a miscarriage or incomplete abortion, we can provide the treatment you need to reduce the risk of any complications.

If you feel like you’re experiencing problems, it’s important to seek help – either by contacting us or your GP.

We can carry out a simple procedure to ensure your womb is completely empty. You might also need treatment for an infection.

Importantly, we also offer counselling to help look after your emotional wellbeing during what we know can be a difficult time.

Things to remember

Here are some other things to bear in mind after an abortion.

Your next period should start four to six weeks after your treatment. If you haven’t had a period after six weeks, it’s a good idea to do a pregnancy test. If it’s positive, contact our aftercare line or your GP. Remember that any bleeding immediately after your treatment isn’t a period.

We recommend you rest for a couple of days after the abortion, but generally, most women will be physically fit and well enough to return to normal activities within a day or two.

Start taking contraception immediately after your treatment, if you don’t want to fall pregnant again. We can talk to you about different types of contraception to help you find a method that suits you.

Looking for more information about our abortion aftercare services?

You’ll find answers to the questions people ask most about abortions here. If you can’t find out the information you need, please call us on ###########.

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