Life After the Abortion

What happens to your body and mind after the abortion?

After the abortion: The feelings 

You may experience fear, confusion, emptiness and sadness after you have undergone the procedure. Although you decided to have an abortion and probably thought that after it you will forget about your unwanted pregnancy in a few days, it is not always easy to accept what happened. Hormones can sometimes be responsible for feelings of confusion. Although you are physically no longer pregnant, your body does not know this and it may continue producing hormones characteristic for pregnancy for some time after.

If you terminated the unwanted pregnancy with abortion and you realize that this was the right decision for you, you managed to come out a stronger person. But even a woman who is totally sure that she does not want the baby and has an abortion, may experience feelings of emptiness at a future time. The thoughts about the baby and the pregnancy can linger on in a woman’s head for a few years after the operation. A woman who had an abortion thinks, at least once, what would happen, if the baby was born, when would it have been born, how old it would be, what would its name be...

After the abortion: The bleeding

The bleeding and pain in the ovaries usually appear two weeks after the abortion. A woman can experience discomfort and mild bleeding until her next period. After the abortion the hormonal balance is destroyed, so the menstrual cycle takes a few months to stabilize, which is perfectly normal.

If the bleeding is too strong and very intense, if you experience strong pain in the area of the uterus or if you develop a high temperature, contact your gynaecologist immediately.

Do not use tampons after the procedure and for at least a month afterward do not have any baths, because they can cause infections. You should also wait with sexual intercourse for at least three weeks after the abortion.  

After the abortion: Visit a gynecologist

One month after the abortion you should see your gynaecologist to check whether the fetus has been completely removed. During the check-up, consult your doctor about different methods of contraception. For younger women the contraceptive pill is the most suitable solution and it is almost completely reliable. For mature women and women who have already given birth, the intrauterine contraceptive device is more appropriate.

The most common complication after the abortion is infection. If it is left untreated it can cause infertility. A small percentage of women who have had an abortion, experience miscarriages in the future.

After the abortion: The stress

The stress after the abortion can cause sleep disorder, depression and feelings of loss. If you are feeling depressed and if you are avoiding your partner and sexual relations, talk about your problems with a person you trust or find the help of a therapist.

Read more about everything connected to pregnancy in Lover's Guide.