Abortion aftercare
Looking after yourself following an abortion.
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
Ready to book?
If you’re ready to visit us, book an appointment to reduce your waiting time at the clinic. Once you’ve filled out the form, a member of the team will be in touch to confirm your appointment.
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.
If you would like to learn more about your options, get in touch with our friendly call centre staff.
Call us toll-free for a confidential chat
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Find a clinic that offers safe abortion aftercare treatments near you.
Frequently asked question about abortion aftercare
Post-abortion care involves a small medical or surgical procedure to ensure that the womb is completely empty, but may also involve treating an infection or injury depending on the situation.
You may have symptoms of nausea, vomiting and tiredness for a few days immediately after the abortion. This is normal. Tender breasts may take a week to 10 days to disappear.
Your next menstrual period will begin 4-6 weeks after your treatment. If you have not had a period 6 weeks after your treatment, you should take a pregnancy test. If it is positive, we recommend contacting our team immediately. It’s important to remember that any bleeding immediately after your treatment is not a period.
We recommend a couple of days of rest after abortion, but generally, most women will be physically fit and well enough to return to normal activities within a day or two.
You may feel more comfortable if you wear a supportive bra and apply cold ice packs to your breasts. Take painkillers, if necessary for the pain.
Along with the physical symptoms of post-abortion, it is not uncommon for some women to experience emotions, such as sadness or guilt. If this happens we recommend that you speak you speak with someone or schedule a post-abortion counselling appointment with our team.
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Speak to someone about your options
If you would like to learn more about your options, get in touch with our friendly call centre staff for a confidential, toll-free chat.