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Knowing how to care for yourself after abortion is incredibly important to ensure a successful and speedy recovery. If you were wondering to care for yourself post-abortion, we’ve got you covered.
Overview
A medical abortion is a procedure that uses two types of abortion pills Mifepristone and Misoprostol respectively in order to terminate a pregnancy. Those two types of medications have been proven to be safe and effective in ending a early pregnancy.
Why is self-care after abortion important?
Self-care after a medical abortion is very important because it helps promote a quick and speedy recovery. Below are other key reasons:-
- Self-Reflection and Emotional Processing: Because sometimes having an abortion can be emotionally challenging, taking the time to self-reflect and emotionally process the whole aftermath is an essential aspect of self-care.
- Minimizing Complications: Following proper self-care instructions reduces the risk of complications since you might still be experiencing some post abortion symptoms.
Normal symptoms experienced post-abortion
Cramping
It is important to understand that cramping is a normal part of the body’s recovery process as the uterus returns to its non-pregnant size. Initially, cramps may resemble menstrual cramps and may occur sporadically for the first few days.
According to a study conducted in 2019, cramps experienced by women who have undergone a medical abortion are considered less painful than those from a surgical abortion.
Tip
Use a heating pad on your lower abdomen or reduce on physical activity.
Taking ibuprofen or naproxen sodium can also help ease the pain.
- Ibuprofen 800 mg every eight hours.
- Naproxen sodium 500 mg every 12 hours.
Bleeding
You might continue to experience light bleeding for about 2 – 3 weeks. Bleeding might be spotty with some blood clots.
Continuously monitor the bleeding patterns. Incase you find that you are soaking a full-sized pad in less than an hour, and the heavy bleeding persists for more than three hours despite measures taken contact us immediately.
Breast tenderness
Some women experience changes in their breasts. They can either become painful increase in size or notice a white discharge being emitted from the nipples.
These changes in the breasts after an abortion are due to the hormonal fluctuations that usually occur during this period. It is important to remember that these changes are temporary, and they should resolve with time.
Tip
- Use nursing pads to absorb the breast milk.
- Don’t wear clothes that cause too much friction on your nipples.
- Cut clean dry green cabbage leaves to a size that fits on your breasts. Chill them in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes and use them to cover the whole breast expect for the nipples.
Discharge
During the post-abortion recovery period, you might encounter a vaginal discharge which typically ranges from a brown to black color and has a mucus-like consistency.
The discharge might last for several days as your body continues healing and removing any remaining pregnancy tissue or fluids.
- However, it should not have any blood
- Neither must it have any foul odor or resemble pus
How to pamper and care for yourself after abortion
Emotional Care
Lorem self awareness means recognizing and understanding your emotions and how they could impact your current situation. It can be practiced on an individual level or within interpersonal relationships, families, workplaces, and broader communities.
Process your feelings in a safe space.
Sometimes, our feelings can be overwhelming and it may feel like we have no one to turn to. However, there is always hope available.
If you are struggling with the aftermath of an abortion, Cavewell women’s abortion clinic offers support and resources to help you move towards healing and wholeness.
Cope with post-abortion emotions.
Take time to understand your emotions without judging yourself. Don’t let negative thoughts build up, but intentionally explore your feelings. It’s important to engage your feelings and seek support from a qualified post-abortion counselor or by journaling at home.
Accept Help and Support from Others
Trust is key in these situations. If significant people in your life that you have built a solid foundation with get to know about the termination, you can choose to speak about your experience and confide in them.
However, i highly recommend not to share such sensitive information. Remember that you are in control of who you share this information with and that you only disclose it to those with whom you feel comfortable.
Physical Care
Physical self-care includes basic nutrition, hydration, exercise practices, and restful sleep. A healthy body that is well-maintained responds to the unavoidable stresses in life better than an unhealthy body.
Resting
Be kind to yourself during this time and make sure to get enough rest. To ensure a smooth recovery,
- Rest as much as much as you can if possible. Adequate sleep is essential for the body to recover and repair itself, which in turn enhances its ability to cope with stress.
- It is advisable to avoid strenuous activities for a period of time. So take it easy and gradually increase your activity levels as you feel comfortable.
Get cozy
It’s important for individuals to prioritize their comfort. Wear loose-fitting clothes, such as roomy shirts and cozy pants.
- Make sure your bed isn’t the thing that’s making you feel sick.
- Indulge in some soothing self-care practices, such as massages.
- Listen to some great music to distract you from the here and now.
Medications
Take any prescribed medications as instructed by your healthcare provider. These medications are often prescribed to manage pain or prevent infection.
- Even if you start feeling better, it is crucial to complete the entire course to eliminate any potential infection.
- Ibuprofen:- You may grab your yourself a pack over the counter to assist with the pains and cramping.
- Methergine:- Helps to shrink the uterus to its normal size. you may ask your health care provider for a prescription.
Nutrition
One key area that is often emphasized to all patients is nutrition. Consuming healthy and balanced meals can significantly influence the healing and recovery process. Certain foods provide a calming effect on emotional stress repair tissues and cells that may have been damaged during the procedure
Eating a balanced diet can provide essential nutrients that support healing.
- Proteins:- Lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, beans and lentils.
- Fruits and Vegetables:- These are packed with vitamins, and fibers.
- Whole Grains:- Brown rice, quinoa, and whole-grain bread.
- Dairy products:- Milk cheese, butter yoghurt.
In addition stay hydrated by taking plenty of fluids. you may include energy drinks, and herbal teas like chamomile and ginger to help with relaxation and proper digestion.
Hygiene
Practicing proper hygiene and avoiding penetrative sex are key factors in minimizing the chances of getting infections during post-abortion recovery.
- Tampon usage:- Avoid tampons, rather use ordinary sanitary pads to avoid disrupting the blood.
- Douching:- Avoid douching because it can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina, making it more prone to infections.
- Bath products: Refrain from using perfumes, bubbles, or oils in your bathwater. These products can potentially irritate the vaginal area and increase the chances of infection.
Must Read
Know when to seek medical attention
Knowing the do’s and don’ts to follow after undergoing an abortion will definitely ensure when to seek medical attention after an abortion is vitally important for ensuring your long-term health and well-being. Failing to take action when needed could lead to serious complications.
So if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:-
- Continuous pains
- Bleeding non-stop
- Fever that doesn’t end
- Smelly discharge
Do not hesitate to seek help from the nearest abortion center or contact us we shall help!
When to expect your next menstrual cycle
Your next menstrual period can be expected within 4 to 7 weeks from the day of the termination. Do not forget to use protection should you engage in sexual activities that can lead to pregnancy. We therefore urge that you have any birth control method of your choice in place. birth control method you’re using.
Remember to stay calm and patiently wait for your periods, but should it not appear after 8 weeks, we strongly recommend scheduling a follow-up appointment with your healthcare provider to assess any underlying issues.
Frequently Asked Questions!
It is important to recognize that terminating a pregnancy can be physically and sometimes emotionally challenging. Some women may feel relieved while majority tend to struggle with emotions like sadness, confusion or guilt.
When a woman falls pregnant her body produces high levels of progesterone. So the gradual decrease in progesterone and estrogen levels after termination can contribute to a range of emotions experienced but with time, these emotional experiences typically fade away.
After the procedure, it’s normal to experience some discomfort and physical changes. Nausea, vomiting, and fatigue can be expected, but fortunately, these symptoms typically subside within three days. However, breast tenderness may linger for up to 10 days. It’s common for your breasts to feel swollen and tender, and you may notice some leakage. Rest assured that your body is simply adjusting to the procedure, and your breasts will return to their normal state in just a few days.
pregnancy hormones can remain in your bloodstream for up to more than 3 weeks. If you happen to test days after the procedure there is a high chance that you might still get false pregnancy results.
We recommend testing after 6 weeks because your hormone levels will have dropped to a “non pregnant” level. Should it still show positive after 6 weeks, Please contact your abortion provider.
It is natural to have concerns about your fertility following an abortion, rest assured that the procedure does not negatively impact your ability to get pregnant or carry a pregnancy to term. In fact, many women are able to conceive as soon as their bodies have fully healed post-abortion. Don’t let fear or misinformation hold you back from making the decision that is best for you and your future.
No, your vagina won’t feel looser after an abortion. We totally understand why most individuals might be concerned about this.
While childbirth can cause a woman’s vagina and pelvic floor muscles to stretch, an abortion does not have the same impact.
So when the time comes for you to resume sexual activity, don’t worry – it’s unlikely that your partner won’t notice the difference.
A follow-up exam is not typically recommended after a medical abortion unless you have a concern, but it is highly encouraged that you schedule a return visit to any of Our abortion centers near you for future comprehensive sexual health and reproductive care.