Recovery after an abortion is usually quicker and simpler than people expect, but it looks different depending on the method. At Garden State Gynecology, every patient leaves with written aftercare instructions and a way to reach us. Here’s what to expect.
After the Abortion Pill
With the abortion pill, most of your recovery happens at home. Cramping and bleeding usually start within a few hours of taking the second medication and are often heavier than a period, sometimes with clots. The heaviest part typically eases within a day. After that, period-like bleeding can last one to two weeks, with light spotting for a few weeks more. Plan to take the second medication on a day you can stay home and rest.
After an In-Clinic Procedure
A procedural abortion takes only minutes, and you rest in our monitored recovery area before going home. If you have anesthesia or sedation, you’ll need someone to drive you. Bleeding is usually lighter than with the pill and may come and go for up to two weeks, and most patients return to normal activities the next day.
Still deciding? Our guide to the abortion pill vs. procedural abortion compares both.
Self-Care and When to Call
Rest, stay hydrated, and use ibuprofen and a heating pad for cramps. Use pads instead of tampons, and after a procedure, avoid sex, tampons, baths, and swimming until your follow up examination. Your period usually returns within four to eight weeks, but you can get pregnant before then, so ask us about birth control.
Call us right away if you have:
- Bleeding that soaks two or more maxi pads an hour for two hours in a row
- A fever of 100.4°F or higher lasting more than 24 hours
- Severe pain that pain medication doesn’t relieve
- Little or no bleeding within 24 hours of the second abortion pill
Our trained telephone counselors are available 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and after hours for urgent matters. In an emergency, call 911.
Your Follow-Up Visit
We ask every patient to return for a follow-up exam about two weeks later to confirm the abortion is complete. See our before and after abortion page for details, or our step-by-step guide to traveling to New Jersey for abortion care if you’re coming from out of state.
Call (800) 746-0148 to schedule a consultation and ask about same-day availability, cost, and financial assistance.
This article is for general educational purposes and isn’t a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always follow your provider’s aftercare instructions.