What should I be concerned about physically post abortion?
Whichever type of abortion you chose (pill or surgery), there are complications that you should watch for following the abortion. According to the Mayo clinic, any of the following symptoms require immediate medical attention:
- Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours
- Severe abdominal or back pain
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours (over 100.4)
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
If you experience any of these post abortion, contact your doctor right away. Other symptoms you may experience include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, and headaches. These are considered normal side effects as well as light bleeding for several weeks.
To reduce the risk of infection, it is recommended that you do not use tampons to control your bleeding for at least 2 weeks, as well as refrain from sexual activity for 2 weeks.
It is also recommended that you have a follow up visit 4-6 weeks after the abortion. If you don’t have a doctor to visit, Advice and Aid can provide this follow up for you free of charge. At that visit, you will be given a pregnancy test, and a nurse will perform basic vital signs as well as check your iron level. A full range of emotions may hit you post abortion, so you will have the opportunity to speak with someone at that visit if you feel the need.
At Advice & Aid our goal is to empower women to make educated choices about their health and well-being. We provide medical and educational services before, during and after pregnancies for women and their partners. We can provide answers to all the questions they should be asking before having an abortion…all at no cost! We also offer programs for women who have experienced an abortion in the past and are seeking help and healing.
Your first step, no matter where you are in the process, is as easy as clicking a button to schedule an appointment to come in and just talk with one of our client advocates. No agenda, no pressure, no judgment. Just answers that you are looking for.
