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Tips For Taking Care of Yourself Before And After The Abortion Procedure.

The topic of abortion is one that has, for long, been swept under the carpet in many societies. While there’s some visible change, there are still communities and regions that either don’t believe in abortions or don’t allow them.

To a large extent, this current state of mystery, when it comes to abortions, means there is still a lot of information people don’t know. This lack of credible information makes it easy for quacks to take advantage of the situation. As a result, this leads to a growth in unsafe abortion procedures, which counteracts the efforts to legalize and normalize abortions in society today.

Most women don’t know what to expect when going for an abortion. How should you prepare? What should you bring with you? And, what aftercare tips should you know before getting the procedure done? Here is a guide to help you prepare for an abortion procedure, as well as anything you need after the procedure.

Choosing the right procedure

There are a handful of safe abortion procedures available today. Each of these methods is suitable for specific periods and in certain circumstances, such as prior complications and pregnancy duration. Some of the popular safe abortion techniques include;

· Medical abortion (non-surgical)

· Vacuum Aspiration

· Dilation and Curettage (DnC)

· Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)

· Induction abortion

Medical abortion is arguably the easiest and most accessible form of abortion. It involves swallowing a couple of pills at intervals directed by the physician. The ease of access and low rate of complications, you don’t need to be at the doctor’s to take the pill. In most cases, you’re advised to take the second pill at home.

The other methods, however, are –to some extent, in-clinic. You may also have to consult your physician before settling down on the right method. While you may have to remain in the medical facility for a while as they observe your recovery, you should be back on your feet after a few days.

If you end up choosing an in-clinic abortion procedure, here’s a checklist of what you need for a safe and comfortable procedure.

· Maxi pads (do not use tampons)

· Fluids and snacks

· Painkillers – in case the facility does not provide. You can get Ibuprofen, Advil or Tylenol, and if you’re uncertain, consult with a medical professional.

· Thermometer

Other than these items, you’ll also need to;

· Clear your schedule to give yourself time to heal and recover

· Have a supportive party aware of the pregnancy and abortion procedure

· Have contacts to a nearby emergency room

The doctor or medical professional overseeing your abortion may also have a few additional items. This is more likely if you’re having an emergency abortion. It may also apply if you’re getting the procedure during the late stages of pregnancy.

If you are taken in for a late-term abortion, there may be more requirements. This is mostly because some of the late-term abortion procedures require extensive surgery. If you worry about having an abortion towards the later stages of pregnancy, you can talk to a doctor about the concerns.

They will help you get to the root cause, and if abortion is the result, they’ll also fill you in on what you need to have with you.

If it’s an emergency abortion, the doctors will also advise on what you need to have, or, in this case, what you need to have brought over. The key to having an easy and comfortable time is to ensure you know what is happening and to maintain constant communication with the doctor or medical professional.

Symptoms associated with in-clinic abortions

Despite the different abortion methods available, it’s rare to see adverse symptoms when the procedure is carried out. However, it’s key to note that the pregnancy stage may heighten some cases of side effects.

Ideally, the sooner you do it, the less complications and side effects you’ll experience. Unfortunately, the opposite of this is also true; a late pregnancy may have more severe symptoms. As a result, you should ensure you go to a professional abortion clinic to ensure your health is a top priority.

Some of the symptoms you’ll likely experience after an abortion include;

· Swollen or painful breasts

· Passing small or medium-sized clots

· Spotting or bleeding a few weeks after the procedure

· Cramping, usually heavier than that of your normal menstrual period

During this time, your menstrual cycle will likely be disrupted. However, it should get back to its regular flow and cycle within a month or two.

Additionally, some women report cases of mood swings and change in emotions. This can be attributed to the hormonal change in the body during and after the pregnancy. The difference in emotions and mood swings can also be the result of terminating the pregnancy. For this reason, if you have an abortion, you should have someone to talk to about it. This can either be a friend or a qualified professional.

Moreover, remember it’s possible to get pregnant immediately after having an abortion. If ovulation occurs, and you had unprotected sex, you could end up getting pregnant again. This is why it is essential to look into the various birth control options after you have an abortion or choose to abstain altogether.

Caring for yourself after an abortion

The next few days after an abortion are usually the most intensive. Some women report cases of fatigue or feeling unwell. Cramping pain is common and may get a little intense for some women.

If you’re going for an in-clinic process, you should get someone to drive you to and from the procedure. Moreover, after the abortion, you should rest well enough to help the body recover. You should also avoid anything that stresses you physically or emotionally.

Infections after an abortion

After having an abortion, you may be more prone to infections. While this is also dependent on the type of abortion you’ve had, the cervix will need time to heal in most cases. To reduce chances of infections after an abortion, you should;

· Use sanitary pads as they are safer in case there is bleeding. Try and stay away from tampons until your menstrual cycle gets back to normal

· Keep away from the swimming pool for at least two weeks

· Avoid penetrative sex or inserting anything in the vagina for at least two weeks

Some of the other self-care tips to observe after an abortion include;

· Taking any prescribed medication – including painkillers

· Regularly monitoring your temperature – a fever could mean you have an infection

· Massaging your stomach and back can help in passing the uterine tissue as well as ease pain from cramping

· Applying heat to the stomach and back can also help with pain and cramping

· Keeping any appointments made with the doctor. These will help the doctors check up on you and ensure you’re recovering well.

Recovering from an abortion

There are a number of factors that influence how long it’ll take to recover after having an abortion. One of the key factors is how far along the pregnancy was. If the abortion was done during the first trimester, and there are no complications from the procedure, you should make a full recovery within a few days. There may be bleeding or spotting for up to six weeks after the procedure in some prolonged cases.

Late-term abortions, on the other hand, may take longer to recover from. This, however, will also be determined by a number of factors. If there are complications from the procedure, it’ll likely take a while before you can make a full recovery. However, if there aren’t any complications, you should have a clean bill of health in a matter of weeks.

Most women visit the doctor for a follow-up session a few weeks after the procedure. If you have a scheduled appointment after an abortion, ensure you keep it. If you have any concerns or notice an oddity, you should also schedule a healthcare professional meeting.

Should you call a doctor?

Abortions today are safe, and the chances of having complications from the procedure are very low. However, some symptoms may be an indication of something serious, and you should seek medical intervention immediately. Some of these signs and symptoms include;

· When you soak through one or more maxi pads in an hour

· When you pass a blood clot larger than the size of a golf ball

· When you feel like fainting or dizzy for extended periods of time

· When you show signs of adverse allergic reaction like difficulty in breathing

· When you have feelings of suicide or self-harm

· When you start developing a fever

· When you notice an unpleasant smell from the vagina

· When you start experiencing intense pain

Ultimately, it’s important to remember that abortion is an easy and safe procedure. When you follow these pre and post-abortion care techniques, you’ll be able to have an easy time and recover in a short while. And if you have questions or concerns, remember to bring them up with a healthcare professional before getting the procedure done.

Dr James S Pendergraft | Orlando Women’s Center | Abortion Clinic Orlando