Is it normal to bleed heavily after an abortion

Don't face mental health challenges alone. Instead, learn how to get the support you need to thrive. Planned Parenthood opponents say women could get healthcare elsewhere. Supporters say hundreds of thousands of women would lose access to important…. Some think there's a connection between abortion and breast cancer. Does the research back this up?

Learn more here. At least 19 states have barred the procedure despite a recent 7-year study in which researchers concluded telemedicine abortion is safe. Surgical abortions are also known as in-clinic abortions. Learn more about the two types of surgical abortions: aspiration and dilation and evacuation….

Later-term abortions typically occur during the 13th and 27th week, or second trimester, of pregnancy. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.

Post-abortion bleeding vs. Post-abortion bleeding is different from menstruation. Your first period after an abortion. Your second and all subsequent periods. Will birth control affect menstruation? When is pregnancy possible? When to see a doctor. Mental Health Resources. Read this next. After Abortion Care How to take care of yourself after an abortion and what to expect during recovery. These medicines are used:.

All women who have Rh-negative blood type will be given Rh immunoglobulin to prevent Rh sensitization after an abortion. If you need to call your doctor about your symptoms during a medical abortion , be prepared to provide information about:. Carefully follow all of your doctor's instructions and review what-to-expect information after a medical abortion.

Normal symptoms that most women will experience after a medical abortion include:. Call your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms after an abortion:. Call your doctor for an appointment if you have had any of these symptoms after a recent abortion:. When a medical abortion fails, a surgical abortion must be done as follow-up to prevent complications or development of a fetus with abnormalities. A lab test or follow-up examination is done 7 to 14 days after taking the medicine for a medical abortion.

A lab test checks for a low human chorionic gonadotropin hCG level, which shows the pregnancy has ended. If you have an examination, it may include:. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn How this information was developed. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. All rights reserved. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Counselling about pregnancy options, the procedure itself, birth control, and other topics are available at most of the clinics and through either of these toll-free information lines: Pregnancy Options Line: throughout B.

This service provides information, resources and referral for all abortion services, including counselling, available to B. This service offers general sexual and reproductive health information, as well as referral to resources throughout B.

Top of the page. Care before a medical abortion Before a medical abortion, your doctor may: Evaluate your medical history, including any medicines you are taking. Do a physical examination, which may include a pelvic examination , to evaluate your health, how long you have been pregnant, and location of the embryo or fetus.

Perform an ultrasound to confirm how far along and where the pregnancy is. Not all doctors choose to do this step.

An abortion resets your menstrual clock. Thus, you should expect your first period after an abortion to start approximately 4 weeks from that point. However, because each woman bleeds differently after an abortion, it can be difficult to distinguish between a period, spotting, or abnormal bleeding.

Read on for some clarity on how to recognize your period or lack of post-procedure. After an abortion, you may experience a change in the length and strength of your normal period. It could be shorter, longer, lighter or heavier. In any case, it should return to normal the following month. Post-Medical Abortion : A heavy period after a medical abortion is common.

It could extend beyond your normal cycle length or fall short of it. Post-Surgical Abortion : A lighter flow or spotting is commonly experienced with the first period after a surgical abortion.

Light flow is usually associated with a shorter cycle and can quickly dissipate to spotting, which could last longer and come and go. Your body works to bring your hormones back to normal levels following an abortion and can take some time to do so, which of course affects your menstrual cycle.

When your body takes a little longer to regulate remaining pregnancy hormones, an irregular period can occur. Maybe you got your first period but missed your second period after abortion.

Occasionally, although you feel well physically, perhaps it's a bit of a struggle emotionally. Would you like to talk but you're afraid that people are fed up with you…. Not sleeping well This is normal and talking through these feelings with an experienced listener can help.

If you need to talk you can make an appointment for post-abortion counselling. This is a free service for women who have had treatment at BPAS.

Symptoms of nausea, vomiting and tiredness usually stop within 3 days of an abortion. Sore breasts may take 7 to 10 days to disappear. Your breasts may feel firm and tender and leak milk after your procedure. You will feel more comfortable if you wear a supportive bra and apply cold ice packs to your breasts. Take ibuprofen or paracetamol, if necessary for the pain. Your next menstrual period will begin weeks after your treatment. If you have not had a period 4 weeks after your treatment, you should do a pregnancy test.

If it is positive, ring the clinic where you were treated to make a follow up appointment. It's important to remember that any bleeding immediately after your treatment is not a period. Take a bath or shower as normal. Take care if you have a bath in the 24 hours following a general anaesthetic.

You will need to make sure someone is around to keep an eye on you, in case you still feel drowsy. Most women will be fit and well enough to return to normal activities within a day or two. Our best advice is to rest until you feel able to return to your normal routine. Once you feel sufficiently recovered from the abortion you can return to having sex. It is best not to travel within 24 hours of treatment. If you must travel just make sure you know how to access emergency services at your destination in case of a complication.

Please be aware that, if you are having the abortion pill up to 10 weeks and choose to travel soon after taking the second medication misoprostol , you may start to have cramps and bleed heavily whilst you are travelling.

Please inform us if you need to fly following your surgery.