Many women who decide on abortion still want a baby in the future. Abortion doesn’t always mean that they didn’t want the child. Sometimes it’s recommended because of the possible complications during pregnancy that might affect the mother’s life. In cases of extrauterine pregnancy, there is no other option that can save both the baby and the mother. After that loss, women find it easier to manage that pain and grief by having a rainbow baby. Still, the question remains: Can abortion affect your fertility and cause more complications in the next pregnancy?
Here’s the answer:
Does Abortion Affect Your Fertility?
It’s very common for women who already had an abortion in the past to be concerned about their fertility. Nowadays, abortion procedures such as medical and surgical abortions bring fewer chances of infections and possible complications than procedures a few decades ago. The main problem back then was that many countries considered abortion illegal. Having that in mind, most women who wanted to do that procedure needed to deal with unsterile conditions and unlicensed doctors. As a result, the chances of hazardous infections were extremely high, which is not the case anymore. Abortion is legal in many countries worldwide, and as long as you decide on the procedure in sterile clinics done by professionals, you are in good hands. You have to be aware that surgical abortion, like any other surgical procedure, involves certain risks, but the consequences that directly impact your fertility are virtually non-existant. Damaging the uterus and developing scar tissue, also known as Asherman’s Syndrome, might decrease fertility, but it is possible only if you had multiple abortion procedures. So, yes, pregnancy after abortion is possible.
Sex After Abortion
Doctors usually recommend waiting for a full recovery. In the case of surgical abortion, bleeding itself should end in the next two weeks, but it’s entirely individual. There is a rule that you can come back to work and do everyday activities within a day or two only if you feel ready, but exercising should wait until your body returns to normal, which could take up to eight weeks. On the other side, medical abortion involves taking two doses of medications called mifepristone and misoprostol. The final effect after taking those pills is similar to a miscarriage. Bleeding is heavier than after the surgical abortion because your uterus will contract and push the pregnancy tissue out. This means that the recovery might take longer, approximately 6-8 weeks. When it’s finally over, have a consultation with your doctor. If you feel physically and emotionally ready to have sex again, you can do it, but be aware that there are high chances of getting pregnant again.
How Soon After Abortion Can You Conceive?
Having an abortion will restart your cycle. A menstrual cycle lasts approximately 28 days. Usually, ovulation occurs between 13-15 days of the cycle. As you know, this is entirely individual, but having your first period might take 4-8 weeks after the procedure. This doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant. Even if the post abortion bleeding lasts, your ovary can still release an egg in your fallopian tube, which can lead to pregnancy during unprotected sexual contact. Most women experience ovulation in the next two weeks after the procedure, but in some cases, it might happen in the first days after the abortion. That is the main reason why we recommend consulting your doctor about contraception methods such as pills, condoms, diaphragms, or injections.
Positive Test After Abortion
We agree that pregnancy after abortion has to wait for a full recovery. A pregnancy test soon after an abortion can sometimes lead to false results. As you probably know, while developing a fetus inside your uterus, there is a special pregnancy hormone called beta hCG detected in your blood and urine. Its level should increase daily as pregnancy develops further and the values are duplicated in the first months of pregnancy. When you have an abortion, your body needs time to lower the hCG until it completely disappears. Doing a pregnancy test right after abortion can lead to false-positive results even if your pregnancy tissue is removed entirely. Some doctors say that waiting approximately 4-6 weeks after abortion gives the best result. If you receive a positive test again, and you’re sure that you are not pregnant, maybe there is some pregnancy tissue left, and it requires a surgical procedure.
Post-abortion Care
After the procedure, bleeding might be heavier in the first few days. As we previously mentioned, the healing process takes weeks, but the bleeding itself can take up to two weeks. During that period, we can only recommend regular pads and excellent hygiene. Using tampons or menstrual cups is not the best option. You can expect some blood clots that are a normal part of emptying the uterus from a pregnancy tissue. If you change two or more pads per hour or notice blood clots size of the lemon, go to your abortion clinic. Cramping and pain are also expected, but women who usually have painful periods say it’s the same as regular menstrual cramping. Of course, if you can’t handle the pain without medicines, use Advil, and avoid ibuprofen. It can only increase your bleeding. Women who had a surgical procedure say that nausea and fatigue are the most challenging part other than emotional recovery. That is why we insist on bringing someone with you so you can get help and talk.
Contact Us
Other than physical recovery, every woman has to deal with thousands of emotions simultaneously. It might seem like the end of the world, with all that grief, sadness, and guilt, but it would be helpful if you had someone to talk to. Pregnancy after abortion can be stressful, and sometimes that wish doesn’t come true right away, but there is nothing to worry about. Give it some time and think positive. For all those future moms, the abortion clinic Fort Lauderdale offers consultations with doctors ready to answer your questions anytime.
