Recovery after an abortion usually happens quickly. It’s quite individual how your body will respond to this procedure, but being prepared for certain side-effects is a half job done. Depending on what type of abortion you’ve had, medical or surgical abortion, you can expect cramping, vaginal bleeding, nausea, etc. Stress might play with your emotions, causing feelings of grief, sadness, and in rare cases, depression. Doctors say that taking care of yourself is crucial in the recovery process. Having that in mind, we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions – how to recover successfully and can you take a bath after abortion?
Healing and Recovering
A completely normal part of the recovery process is vaginal bleeding. For those who had a medical abortion, it may occur in the next few hours after taking the second pill, misoprostol, but after surgical abortion, it might be lighter. It can be dark brown, spotty, with clots, and that’s entirely normal. Blood clots are tiny pieces of pregnancy-related tissue left in your uterus. Your uterus will contract to discharge them. That’s one of the reasons for cramping. Women with painful cycles describe them as typical period cramps. Taking ibuprofen isn’t the best solution because it increases bleeding, but if your pain is intense, make sure to warm up your stomach and drink a lot of hot beverages such as tea and cocoa.
Usually, pads are recommended rather than tampons, especially after surgical intervention. Bleeding can last from 1 to 6 weeks.
Emotions After Abortion
This indeed was one of the greatest decisions in your life, and nobody expects you to act completely normal as nothing happened. This experience can be a trauma and may cause grief, sadness, depression, and even flashbacks. You must be aware that nothing is your fault, so you can’t blame yourself. Talking to your closest friends or family members could help you feel much better. After all, maintaining mental health is as important as physical health. Going to the therapist is always helpful, but in extreme cases, when you feel alone and avoid spending time with people, you should visit someone as soon as possible. Being alone with your thoughts is the worst solution. Complete recovery takes time, so be patient.
Returning to Normal Activities
Most women approximately take 1-2 days for recovery. It’s not necessary to lay in bed for days, but it’s highly recommended, especially after surgical abortion. Some women feel comfortable working in the following days, and it’s completely fine, as long as you feel good. It would be great if you avoid traveling within 24 hours after the procedure, but if you need to, make sure to inform the emergency services of your destination in case of complications. Doctors recommend at least a two-week break for those who exercise regularly. Actions like swimming, running, going to the gym, or team sports might only increase your bleeding, which won’t benefit your recovery. Also, try not to carry heavy stuff, especially if you have children. Take it easy in the first days. Having sex should also wait until bleeding stops, and you feel ready. You can get pregnant right after the abortion, so ask your doctor to prescribe you some type of contraception.
Can You Take a Bath After Abortion?
The main part of the healing process in post-abortion care is maintaining hygiene perfectly. Taking a shower is a way to prevent potential infections, and you have to do it regularly. If you take a bath after abortion, it can result in increased bleeding because of the warm water. You can do it when bleeding becomes lighter. On the other hand, you can take a shower right after abortion as usual. If you feel drowsy and dizzy within 24 hours after general anesthetics, you might want someone to be around and keep an eye on you, just in case.
Conclusion
Our team from the abortion clinic will make sure to give you the best advice- give yourself some time and take it easy. It’s just a reminder that every woman should put her own health as the number one priority. Your body will undoubtedly change in the following weeks, but everything is going to get back to normal. Just stay home, rest, and take a bath after abortion because perfect hygiene is necessary. One of the most important things is to have a follow-up exam in the next 3-4 weeks, so you can make sure you have recovered completely. It’s also an excellent time to discuss which birth control method works for you.
