Advice post abortion *
Resuming your activities
You can go out and eat and drink anything you want. Where athletic activities such as running or horseback riding are concerned, it is better to wait until the bleeding has almost stopped (approximately 1 week). It is always a good idea to plan to take breaks in the days following the procedure.
Abdominal Cramps
The passing of blood clots may cause cramping and pain in your lower abdomen. To relieve the pain, you can take an analgesic such as Tylenol or Atasol. The doctor who does the procedure will prescribe an anti-inflammatory which you can take if you need it. These drugs are available in pharmacies.
It is very important to avoid taking aspirin for your pain because it will make you bleed more readily.
Bleeding
Bleeding will start immediately after the procedure or within 3 days. It can last from a few days up to 3 weeks. It can be fairly heavy and there may be blood clots. This is normal and should not worry you.
However, if you start bleeding more heavily and need to change your sanitary pad every half hour and this continues for more than 2 hours, call the clinic or go to the hospital emergency department.
Menstruation
Your period will usually return within 4 to 6 weeks after the procedure. If you are taking oral contraceptives (the pill), you will start your period during the week indicated on your pack.
You are fertile after the abortion. You can get pregnant again if you do not use contraception.
Breast tenderness
Sometimes, after an abortion, you will feel breast tenderness or swelling and there may even be a small amount of discharge from your breasts. These symptoms are not serious and will disappear spontaneously.
To avoid infections
You must use unscented sanitary napkins. You may not use tampons for the first week after the procedure or have sex with vaginal penetration.
Take your temperature if
If you feel “hot” or experience chills, you must take your temperature. Normal temperature taken orally is 37.0 C or 98.2 F and it must not exceed 38.0 C or 100.4 F
Baths or showers?
You may take baths and showers. Make sure that the bathtub is clean and do not use bubble bath or bath oil in the water for one week.
When should I see a doctor?
If you have any of these symptoms: heavy bleeding, abdominal pain that is not relieved by medication, a fever, foul-smelling vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating, contact the Birth Control Clinic or Info-Santé (310-2572) or go to the hospital emergency department. Tell them that you have had an abortion by suction curettage.
Check-up
You must see your doctor 3 weeks after your procedure. He will make sure that everything is okay: that your cervix has closed, that there are no signs of infection and that you have not noticed any other particular symptoms. Even if everything is okay, the check-up is important.
Take care of yourself
The medical complications of abortion are minimal. Following the advice you receive will help you to minimize the risks of this procedure which is simple and does not affect your future fertility.
Whether or not you have a steady partner, it would be a good idea to choose a method of contraception that suits you.
The fact that your experience of your abortion was positive does not mean that you will not feel sad, and that's normal. Don't hesitate to share your feelings with a friend and, if that isn't enough, the clinic staff can help you.
If there are aspects of your sex life that are not satisfactory for you, take the time to talk about it and find a solution. It is easier to think about contraception when your sex life is satisfying. Similarly, your sex life can improve if you aren't worried about getting pregnant.
Regardless of what your experience of termination of pregnancy was, if you would like to share your experience and help another woman, speak to us.