After an abortion

The risk of complications after a miscarriage is rare. However, you can always contact us in case you have more questions or any symptoms

We do the procedure carefully to prevent pain or other risks that can be avoided.

What do we keep in mind after pregnancy termination?

 

Pain

Surgical abortion:

The uterus contractes immediately after abortion. This may rarely cause some cramping or pain. You will get pain treatment if you are suffering from pain.

Medical abortion:

Women often experience abdominal cramps or pain after taking 2 tablets of prostaglandin (Cytotec®/Cyprostol®). We recommend that you take a pain medication , such as:

  • Parkemed®
  • (Ibu-)Brufen, 200mg (such as Dismenol®)
  • Diclofenac (such as Voltaren®, 50 or 75mg)

We advise you to take pain treatment without delay if you are suffering from pain.

Bleeding:

Surgical abortion

Bleeding after surgical abortion is usually less compared with normal menstruation. But it can be irregular. For example, sometimes there is no bleeding on the first two days.In a few cases, bleeding is heavier than the first day of menstruation. Sometimes blood coagulates as soon as it arrives in the vagina, which causes blood clots to be expelled. This is not body tissue, but simply blood. However, blood clots coming out of the vagina are a sign of heavy bleeding.

Medical abortion

Usually bleeding only starts after taking the prostaglandin Cytotec®/Cyprostol® in medical abortion. However, sometimes bleeding begins before even taking the prostaglandin. In most cases, the bleeding is heavier than the first day of menstruation. This heavy bleeding usually lasts for half a day and diminishes once the gestational sac is expelled. Slight bleeding usually lasts for two weeks.

Sexual intercourse, tampons, swimming, etc

During the first 2 days following the abortion you are advised not to have intercourse, swim, or use tampons, because there is a risk of infection. There is no evidence of an increased risk of infection for any of these activities later than 2 days after the abortion.

You can take a shower at any time.

Anitibiotic

Medical abortion

In medical abortion there is no increased risk of infection, so we do not prescribe antibiotics.

Fever

Infection is very rare after an abortion. However, an infection can lead to fever within 2-3 days after the abortion. Please contact us as soon as possible if you experience fever.

Symptoms of pregnancy: nausea, breast tenderness

Usually nausea caused by the pregnancy disappears within a day after the abortion. But breast tenderness can remain for up to 3 weeks in some women.

Pregnancy tests:

It can take your body up to 4 weeks to eliminate the pregnancy hormone hCG. Standard pregnancy tests done with urine are very sensitive and can continue to give a positive result up to the next menstruation, even after a successful abortion.

Only an ultrasound examination can provide an immediate and reliable confirmation of a successful abortion. The ultrasound should ideally be done immediately after a surgical abortion or 1-3 weeks after medical abortion.

Standard pregnancy tests done with urine are very sensitive and can continue to give a positive result up to the next menstruation, even after a successful abortion.

Surgical abortion

A surgical abortion in the first 3 months of pregnancy is one of the safest and fastest surgical procedures. The drugs used for general anesthesia are very well-tolerated. Therefore, women recover very quickly after a surgical abortion and a sick leave is usually not necessary.

Medical abortion:

Frequently there is heavy bleeding for a few hours after taking the prostaglandin Cytotec®/ Cyprostol®. We recommend that women not work during that time.

Heavy physical work

For most women the physical burden is comparable to a menstruation. This means you can do any work that you normally do during a typical menstruation.

Follow-up visit

Surgical abortion:

We perform an ultrasound examination immediately after every surgical abortion to be sure the uterine cavity is truly empty. However, it may be useful to visit your gynaecologist after a few weeks to discuss your contraception.

Medical abortion

It is important for you to have a follow-up visit 1-3 weeks after the abortion to verify the expulsion of the pregnancy.

Next menstruation

Your body starts a new cycle immediately after the abortion. Consequently, most women will have an ovulation 2-3 weeks after the abortion and the next menstruation in 4-5 weeks. After a medical abortion, the next menstruation may be a bit heavier than a normal menstruation.

It is important for you to make a follow-up visit after 1-3 weeks of miscarriage to check the expulsion of the pregnancy.

Psychological well-being after an abortion

For most women, the time before the abortion is very stressful and they feel relieved once the abortion is done.

Very few women have chronic psychological problems after an abortion or because of an abortion. However the following is crucial for women’s well-being:

  • You should be well-informed before undergoing an abortion.
  • You should understand and make the decision yourself.
  • Your private environment should be supportive and accepting of your decision.
  • The abortion should be performed in a patient-centered, empathetic environment, using state-of-the-art medical treatment.

Most women feel relieved after an abortion. However, it is absolutely normal and not a contradiction that many women feel sad from time to time, just as in any other crisis situation.

Fertility - contraception

The current pregnancy confirms you are fertile, as a woman and as a couple. An abortion without complications has no negative impact on your fertility. Consequently, your next ovulation will occur around 2 weeks after the abortion. You can get pregnant again immediately if you do not use a reliable contraception. Therefore, you should start birth control immediately after the surgical abortion, including any hormonal contraception like the Pill, vaginal ring, patch, 3-month injection or implant. If you have had a medical abortion, you can start the day following the beginning of the bleeding.

Therefore, you should start birth control immediately after the surgical abortion, including any hormonal contraception like the Pill, vaginal ring, patch, 3-month injection or implant. If you have had a medical abortion, you can start the day following the beginning of the bleeding.

Complications:

Complications are very rare after an abortion. However, it is important that you contact us as soon as possible if you suspect you are suffering from a complication. You can reach one of our doctors at any time by telephone.