
After you end your pregnancy using medicines, the next question on your mind could be – how soon would you heal? Apart from that, you may be curious about the expected symptoms and outcomes of taking Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills to remove a pregnancy just like a natural miscarriage. In this post, we will discuss what may happen following a medical abortion, and how you can cope with the changes, with the hope of helping you guide in recovering peacefully and lead a healthy life thereafter.
What If I Still Encounter Pregnancy Symptoms?
Even after a pregnancy ends through medicines, symptoms of conception may last a few days or a couple of weeks because of the pregnancy hormone’s presence. You may experience nausea, tiredness, vomiting, breast tenderness/soreness, headache, etc. However, such incidents will keep getting more unnoticeable as you close in on recovery. By taking care after abortion through lifestyle and diet changes, along with attention to health, you will be back on your toes any minute.
For instance, to reduce breast soreness, apply ice packs on the affected area and wear a more comfortable bra. However, even after two weeks if the symptoms persist, it is best to consult a healthcare provider for a check-up and advice and find out if the pregnancy still exists. This is the reason why it is crucial to get a whole abdomen ultrasound scan after two weeks of ending a pregnancy. This will reveal the status of pregnancy without complications.
How Much Will I Bleed? How Long Will Cramps Last?
Bleeding from medical abortion may linger for 2 to 3 weeks after the procedure. Initially, the flow may be heavier. However, it will become lighter as the days pass. You should avoid exercising or stressing physically during this duration. At times, you may find blood clots that are red to dark purple, so do not panic as the uterus is simply emptying and the endometrial lining is forming back again. Do not insert anything in the vagina, including penetrative intercourse unless the bleeding reduces.
It is recommended while you are still bleeding, do not utilize menstrual cups or tampons, rather you may utilize large sanitary pads instead. Since the abortion pill causes uterine contractions to release the pregnancy portions from the vagina, cramping is an expected consequence. It is intense while the procedure is ongoing. Even a few days after the process, infrequent cramps may occur as an indication of the uterus returning to its original size and state.
You may use over-the-counter pain relief medicines in this case, use a hot water bag or heating pad to ease the abdominal pain. Drink plenty of healthy liquids and keep alcohol consumption at bay as much as possible. Similarly, get enough sleep and practice meditation to calm your body and mind for a quicker port-abortion recovery.
How Soon Can I Start with Normal Chores?
After terminating the pregnancy with pills, you must take sufficient rest. Though it does not take long to reinstate health, every person’s recovery period differs and is subjective. Some may not require much aftercare but resume activities the very next day, and for others, it can take more time. However, the general guideline is not to do any activity, which may increase the pain and bleeding. If you feel dizzy and unwell, do not venture outdoors, and certainly do not light heavy objects or operate heavy machinery and drive.
There is a risk of infection and complication if you do not use the abortion pill properly as indicated. So, to limit such risks you must follow the healthcare provider’s recommendations, required medicine dosage, and care. If you are already having an infection, take antibiotic medicine as directed. Like discussed above, abstain from vaginal intercourse, douching, using tampons, and similar activities. You may bathe in the shower and not rub down hard.
Knowing the do’s and don’ts after abortion will keep you aware of the risks such as excessive bleeding, fever, chills, bad cramps, and more. If you are planning to start with birth control, do not right away use insertable condoms. Rather begin with hormonal contraceptives. Fertility is usually intact and once you have unprotected intercourse post abortion, there is a risk of pregnancy. The ovary can release a mature egg after 8 to 12 days of medical abortion and lead to a pregnancy upon mating with sperm.
What Should I Eat Following Pregnancy Termination?
As pregnancy termination has physical effects, it’s important to stick to a nutritious diet. Those with anemia and iron deficiency must seek iron-rich food like mushrooms, spinach, liver, etc. Similarly, care after abortion by adding carbohydrates to the diet for energy, reducing dizziness, and headaches. You will also need vitamins, proteins, and magnesium along with electrolytes (to replenish minerals lost from dehydration or diarrhea). Another source is calcium, which you can find in dry fruits, milk, tofu, dairy products, and seafood for the good of bone health. Vitamin C inclusion will boost the immune system, folic acid aids in the development of red cells, and fiber-rich food improves digestion.
Emotional Care and Support for Mental Health
If you need to speak with someone after a successful Mifepristone and Misoprostol procedure to end a pregnancy, do not hesitate. Contact the nearest family planning and care center for counseling or visit your gynecologist for guidance. Get your annual examinations done for proper reproductive health. Also, if experiencing tough emotions like guilt, anger, mood changes, regret, etc. it may result from hormonal changes as estrogen and progesterone reduce during an abortion and may affect mood. Otherwise, it could be personal as well because abortion is not always an easy decision.
While the hormonal shifts can bring several temporary changes, be relaxed as these effects do not leave a lasting effect. You will find health groups, family, friends, and others to open up to share your story and seek aftercare support. Do not keep your emotions bottled up but express those healthily so that your psychological health stays unaffected. Take adequate time off from daily chores and work, spend time with your loved one, and do things you enjoy to ease your mind.
To Conclude
Following a pregnancy termination with pills, you must try and find your health back at the earliest. Not taking care after abortion may mean a longer time taken for recovery. So, we did compile a list of expectations from a medical abortion and what you can do after this for healthy living. We hope the blog post helped with that.