Do’s and Don’ts after an abortion

Updated on July 2025 by the safe2choose team

Why Postabortion Care Matters

Abortion – whether performed medically with pills or clinically with vacuum aspiration – is a procedure that sometimes needs time and care to recover from (1)(2).

For most people, postabortion complications are rare, and only minor side effects are experienced. However, when it comes to managing these minor side effects, a lack of information on what to do and not do can worsen the discomfort.

While abortion is a relatively uncomplicated procedure with very few risks, following some simple do’s and don’ts can help ensure a smooth and comfortable recovery.

What to Do After an Abortion (Do’s)

Use Contraceptive Counseling

As part of postabortion support, some people consider preventing another unwanted pregnancy and look into contraceptive methods. You can get this info from your sexual and reproductive health counselor or medical advisor. According to Paula H Bednarek, MD, MPH, contraceptive counseling involves reviewing your contraceptive preferences and introducing other options so that you can choose the best one for the short and long term (3).

Important to know: You can ovulate as soon as 8 days after an abortion, which means pregnancy is possible again even before your next period (sometimes within 2 weeks). This can happen even if you’re still bleeding. If you want to avoid pregnancy, consider starting contraception right away.

In the weeks after your abortion, use pads to see how much you are bleeding. You can switch to a tampon or cup when you feel comfortable and return to your normal activities as soon as you feel ready.

It’s also safe to have sex when you feel ready. We recommend listening to your body and desires.

If you want to, you can take a pregnancy test 4-5 weeks after the abortion to make sure it was successful. Taking a test sooner may give a false-positive result. If the test is still positive at 5 weeks or if you still have pregnancy symptoms, see a health-care provider to check if the abortion worked.

Manage Physical Symptoms with Self-Care

There are some postabortion self-care things you can do at home. During the abortion, you may experience some discomfort or side effects, such as bleeding, cramps, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and fever. Some of these will continue in the following days or weeks, such as the cramping and bleeding, but they should get better over time.

Practice self-care, such as listening to your favorite music, indulging in comfort food, having a warm bath, doing yoga, watching a nice movie, enjoying a cup of tea, or going for a walk. You can relieve the side effects through various methods, such as using heating pads for the cramping; keeping hydrated, especially if you’re nauseous or have diarrhea; and staying home to rest.

Take Prescribed Medications Correctly

We recommend you take ibuprofen during and after the abortion. If ibuprofen is not available, use naproxen, ketoprofen, ketorolac, or diclofenac (these are also NSAIDs).

However, if you are allergic to NSAIDs, always follow what your doctor/health-care provider prescribes. Planned Parenthood recommends a few key medications, such as ibuprofen and NORCO (hydrocodone) for pain and cramping (5). However, it is always best to double-check with your health-care provider or pharmacist before taking medication.

Monitor for Warning Signs

Monitor your symptoms and immediately notify your abortion counselor if any of them are excessive. Excessive pain/cramping, bleeding, and fever can be signs of complications, and notifying your abortion counselor will allow you to receive the appropriate treatment sooner.

Excessive bleeding can be identified as two or more soaked pads (completely soaked front to back and side to side) in one hour or less, lasting for two hours or more. A fever of 100.4° Fahrenheit (or 38°Celsius) is also considered a possible warning sign (5). Pain can be harder to measure in terms of severity, but if you find that your pain is not getting better even after taking pain medication, you should contact your abortion counselor or health-care provider.

Seek Emotional Support

It’s completely normal to experience a range of emotions after an abortion—there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to feel. Whatever you’re feeling is valid. If you’re comfortable, talking openly to someone you trust can be a powerful way to process your emotions.

Resting during a medical abortion is not mandatory, although it is recommended. Most people prefer to rest while the cramping and bleeding are intense. Depending on how you feel, you may want to resume your daily activities, or you may prefer to rest. Again, each person has a different experience, so it all depends on how you are feeling.

What to Keep in Mind After an Abortion (Don’ts)

Physical Strain and Heavy Exercise

You can return to your normal activities as soon as you feel ready. We recommend listening to our own desires and your body’s necessities. ​

Vaginal Insertion (tampons, intercourse)

Use pads at first to see how much you are bleeding. You can switch to a tampon or cup when you feel comfortable. It’s also safe to have sex when you feel ready to, but remember that you can get pregnant again as soon as 2 weeks after an abortion, even if you are still bleeding. Chat with Myka to learn more about contraceptive options.

Self-Medicating With Antibiotics

International safe abortion guidelines—including those from the World Health Organization (WHO)—confirm that routine antibiotics are not needed after an abortion, as the risk of infection is very low when the procedure is done correctly. However, if you experience warning signs like fever, severe pain, or unusual discharge, see a doctor right away. And if they do give you antibiotics, make sure to take them exactly as told – it will help you heal properly.

When to Seek Medical Attention

You must get medical help right away if you:

• bleed so much that you soak 2 or more pads every hour, for 2 hours in a row;
• have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher that starts 24 hours after taking misoprostol and doesn’t go down after taking ibuprofen;
• feel severe pain that doesn’t get better after taking pain medicine like ibuprofen;
• have vaginal discharge that smells bad or looks different from your normal period;
• feel very sick or weak;
• have redness, swelling, or itchiness on your face, hands, or neck (it may be an allergic reaction); or
• have trouble breathing.

If you have any of the above symptoms, please seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Overall, aside from some minor side effects, the postabortion recovery process should not be complicated or unpleasant. Most of the discomfort can be managed with the appropriate level of rest, care, and medication. As long as you consult your abortion counselor and care for yourself according to their advice, as well as follow the tips provided above, you should be feeling better in no time.

Abortion can be a complex process, both physically and emotionally, so remember to treat yourself with empathy and kindness. Practice self-love because you just gave yourself the gift of choosing what’s best for you.

FAQs

Q1: How long should I rest after an abortion?

While resting is not mandatory, most people need at least a few days of rest.

Q2: Can I shower after an abortion?

Yes, you can shower at any time during or after the abortion process. In fact, a warm shower may help:

• Relieve cramping and discomfort.
• Promote relaxation and reduce stress.

Q3: When can I have sex again after an abortion?

You can have sex whenever you feel ready to, but remember that you can get pregnant again as soon as 2 weeks after an abortion, even if you are still bleeding; therefore, using contraception is recommended if you wish to avoid pregnancy.

Q4: Is it normal to bleed after an abortion?

Yes, light to moderate bleeding is common. Seek help if it becomes excessive.