How Soon After An Abortion Can You Get Pregnant
Because your cycle can resume immediately following an abortion, it is possible to become pregnant straight away. If you ovulate within 2-3 weeks, this means that you can technically become pregnant within a month after having an abortion.
However, bear in mind that everyones bodies and timeliness are different, so the earliest you can get pregnant after an abortion can vary among women. If you want to prevent further pregnancies, you should begin taking birth control immediately following an abortion.
When Can I Resume My Normal Activities After The Procedure
You should go home and rest after the procedure. Resume normal activities the following day or whenever you feel ready. Avoid activity that causes increased pain. If you receive oral relaxation or narcotic pain medications for the procedure, don’t drive a car for eight hours. If you receive intravenous medications during the procedure, don’t drive a car for 24 hours. If you need a note or documentation for work/school, let our clinic staff know.
When The Menstrual Periods Will Return To Normal After An Abortion
Whether it was a surgical or medical abortion, the first normal menstrual period usually starts within four to eight weeks after the abortion procedure. Menstrual periods can start even earlier in cases when the pregnancy was terminated very early, within the first few weeks. Usually, the first menstrual period following the abortion is heavier. However, some women reported lighter menstrual periods following abortion than their normal menstrual periods. It is also normal to have irregular menstrual periods for a certain amount of time after terminating a pregnancy.
A change that can happen to your period is the flow. If you had a surgical abortion, it could result in a lighter period than normal, and with a medical abortion, it could be heavier than normal. You might also find that you have more PMS and other symptoms such as back pain and cramping for the first few cycles. This is normal and should eventually even out to what you experienced before.
The body and especially the hormonal levels require some time until they get back to normal and start functioning, as they should. Women who usually have irregular menstrual cycles sometimes need up to 12 weeks for their menstrual periods to start.
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What Complications May Occur
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call to talk to a doctor or nurse.
- Fever over 100 degrees or chills
- Excessive bleeding
- Bad cramps/prolonged abdominal pain that is NOT relieved by ibuprofen or Tylenol or your prescribed medications
A doctor can be reached at any time.
- Monday to Thursday 8am-5pm, Friday 8am-4:30pm at 267-4311
- Nights, weekends and holidays, page a doctor by calling 825-6301 and asking to page the gynecology resident on call.
How Will A Miscarriage Affect My Menstruation
During the miscarriage
When a pregnancy ends on its own prior to 20 weeks of gestation, it is called a miscarriage. An early miscarriage weeks will usually be just like a regular period. Miscarriages that happen beyond then cause bleeding that is heavier than a regular period, and you may experience more cramping. You will likely be able to see some tissue and large clots passing as well. This process often completes on its own, but can sometimes require medical intervention. Medication or dilatation and curettage may be used to clear out any tissue remaining in the uterus. You may have bleeding for a week or two after the miscarriage.
After the miscarriage
Usually you will get your next period somewhere between 3 and 6 weeks after your miscarriage. If you have a lot of spotting and recurrent bleeding, you may have some tissue retained in your uterus see your doctor to determine if you need further treatment. It may take a few cycles for your period to become regular again. If you had a late miscarriage , it may take a little longer. If your periods stay very irregular, you may not be ovulating.
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You Are Not Aloneabortion Services At Choices Womens Medical Center
An abortion is a legal and very safe procedure to end a pregnancy. Choices was one of the first medical clinics to offer abortion services when New York State legalized abortion in 1971, two years before it became legal nationally in 1973. Since that time, millions of women in the U.S. have chosen to have abortions. One in four women in this country has an abortion before the age of 45.
Other Symptoms To Expect
Along with changes in the flow and duration of your period, women may also experience symptoms during their first post-abortion period that differ from regular periods. Such symptoms may reoccur for subsequent periods following the procedure. Typically, women report more cramping than usual following an abortion. Other symptoms may include:
- Mood swings
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When Does Your Menstrual Cycle Return To Normal After An Abortion
Your menstrual cycle should resume immediately following an abortion. However, everyones body is different, and while some women may have a period again in the next four weeks, it may take others 8-12 weeks for their menstrual cycle to return back to normal.
If you have not had a period after 8-12 weeks following an abortion, speak with your doctor and they can provide further advice and guidance.
Other Factors To Consider
The time you get your period after an abortion depends on the individual. There are a few other factors to consider besides the type of abortion procedure you had.
Birth Control: The timing of your next period might depend on the type of birth control you use. Some contraception methods are based on hormones, and if you start using them around the time of abortion, that could explain why your period has not returned yet.
State of Pregnancy: Another significant factor is how pregnant you were before the procedure. Some pregnancy hormones remain in the body a few weeks afterward, delaying menstruation.
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When Can I Start Using Birth Control After My Abortion
You can get pregnant right after your abortion, so its a good idea to talk with your nurse or doctor about birth control as soon as you can they can help you find a method thats right for you. You can start using birth control immediately after having an abortion.
Some doctors, abortion clinics, and Planned Parenthood health centers can put an IUD in your uterus right after your abortion, during the same procedure. This is really convenient because youll get super effective birth control without having to go to a separate appointment. Ask about getting an IUD at the same time as your abortion when you call to make your appointment.
How Soon Can I Get Pregnant After My Abortion
For a lot of people, the last thing they want to think about after an abortion is becoming pregnant again! Because you can resume sexual activity shortly after a medication abortion, its important to know when you can become pregnant again so you can make informed decisions about your reproductive future.
You can become pregnant very quickly after a medication abortion, sometimes in as early as a week after taking your medications. An abortion has absolutely no impact on your future fertilityso taking mifepristone and misoprostol will not impact your ability to become pregnant again or to safely carry a pregnancy to term in the future.
Knowing that youre able to become pregnant again even before your period returns, you might consider using extra caution and including using a new form of contraception if you are not interested in being pregnant. carafem can help with these options too.
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Why Might People Feel Bad After An Abortion
Certain risk factors may increase the likelihood of a person having negative feelings after an abortion, such as:
- Wanting the pregnancy: People who want a baby, but have to terminate for other reasons, are more likely to experience regret or sadness.
- Reactions from others: If family or a partner pressures someone into getting an abortion, this will add to any emotional distress. Conversely, condemning or disowning someone for getting an abortion can also create guilt and shame.
- Anti-choice protests: People who campaign against abortion access sometimes protest outside abortion clinics and harass people who undergo the procedure. This encourages people to feel guilty about their decision.
- Social isolation: In the 2018 study of Irish women, stigma-related social isolation was a key predictor of negative feelings after an abortion. Feeling shame about the decision can mean people keep it a secret and do not get any support from friends or family.
- Neglect or abuse: A 2018 summary of the Turnaway Studys key findings notes that a history of neglect or abuse during childhood increased the risk of depression in people who accessed abortion.
- Pre-existing mental health conditions: People with a history of anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions may be more likely to experience negative emotions after an abortion.
High Temperature Or Fever If It Is Above 38oc
Take your temperature with a thermometer. If it is above 38oC, take 1gm of Paracetamol and seek medical advice as you may have an infection. If your temperature is below 38oC, take regular Paracetamol for 24 hours and see if the temperature settles. You should also drink plenty of fluids. If this does not help, see your GP for assessment.
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When Is Pregnancy Possible
You should start ovulating about three weeks after a medical abortion. Some people start as soon as eight days afterward. This means you can get pregnant again, even if you havent had a period yet. Talk to your doctor about birth control options.
Having an abortion doesnt affect your fertility in most cases. There is concern that repeated surgical abortion may cause scarring in the uterus by the instruments used to remove the pregnancy. This scarring, called intrauterine adhesions, could be a possible cause for infertility in some cases.
Does Abortion Cause Irregular Periods
Various forms of birth control methods used can affect the regularity of periods after an abortion. If a female typically has irregular periods, she may continue to experience these after having an abortion.
An abortion can lead to emotional and physical stress, which can also affect a females menstrual cycle. Stress is a major influencing factor that can have an impact on the regularity of periods after abortion.
If a female starts experiencing irregular periods after an abortion but had a normal regular menstrual cycle before that, gynecological consultation becomes necessary.
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What If I Still Feel Pregnant
Pregnancy symptoms of nausea, vomiting and weariness usually cease within three days. Breast tenderness may take seven to 10 days to disappear.
Depending on your gestational age at the time of the procedure, your breasts may feel firm and tender and leak fluid after your procedure. Your breasts will return to normal after three to four days of swelling. You will feel more comfortable if you wear a supportive bra and apply cold ice packs to your breasts. Take ibuprofen or Tylenol, if necessary, for pain. If you still feel pregnant after a week, call your health care provider.
Which Type Of Abortion Should I Choose Medical Or Surgical
If you just found out that you are pregnant the medical, or non-surgical, option is likely best for you. Often referred to as the abortion pill, many women find this option preferable because it can be completed earlier in the pregnancy, privately and discreetly. Most women do not want to undergo surgery and feel that the abortion pill offers more privacy since the procedure is generally completed at home. This procedure is non-invasive and requires no anesthesia. In addition, it does not require the same preparations as a surgical procedureyou do not need to rely on someone else to drive you to and from your appointment, and you do not need to arrive with an empty stomach. You can receive medical abortion treatment as soon as you find out you are pregnant, and up to 10 weeks after the first day of your last period. It has been deemed safe and effective, and it carries no long-term risks for future pregnancies.
If you and your healthcare provider determine that you are ineligible for a medical abortion, you can consider a surgical abortion with a local or twilight anesthesia. It is important to discuss your options with a healthcare provider you trust. Each woman should decide which procedure is best suited to her individual needs.
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When To See A Gynecologist After An Abortion
- If a female experiences very heavy bleeding after having an abortion or experiences pain that is not manageable with pain medication, she should immediately speak to her gynecologist.
- Blood clots in periods, up to the size of lemon are normal in case of periods after abortion. Blood clots that are larger than that are something to discuss with a gynecologist.
- Symptoms including dizziness, sweating, and nausea during or after abortion are normal. However, females who feel very faint or have a high fever should talk to their gynecologist.
Yes, it is normal to have late periods after abortion. It is majorly because of the hormonal fluctuations involved in abortion. Also, the first period may be heavier or lighter than what you used to have before the abortion.
The first two periods after abortion may be lighter or heavier than the usual before an abortion. Normally, it is by 3rd period that the cycle tends to become regulated. But if it does not regulate even after 3rd cycle, then it is a matter of concern to be consulted with the doctor.
When Will My First Period After Abortion Come
If you have had an abortion in the first trimester of your pregnancy, you will normally experience your first period within 4 to 12 weeks after the procedure. However in some cases you may not experience your period for several months. Or the period may come as early as two weeks. This varies from woman to woman and depends on how far along the pregnancy had proceeded before it was terminated.
The primary reason for the delayed first period after abortion is that the body still has some pregnancy hormones and feels their effects for several weeks after abortion. The presence of these hormones reduces your chances of ovulation which indirectly means that there are no periods.
Although the average time range for first period is about 4 to 12 weeks of abortion, normally you should have your first period within 8 weeks. However if there are no periods even after this time duration, you need not worry too much. And here are some potential reasons:
- Your body may be taking longer to heal from the abortion procedure and from the high levels of pregnancy hormones.
- If you have been facing a lot of stress and depression, it can affect your periods.
- The other possibilities for your lack of the first period after abortion could include another pregnancy or certain serious health issues like polycystic ovary syndrome .
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What Can I Do
Bathing
VIDEO: Bathing after an abortion
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.
Other activities, including work
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.
Sex
VIDEO: Sex after an abortion
Once you feel sufficiently recovered from the abortion you can return to having sex. You can get pregnant almost immediately following an abortion, so its important to use contraception if you do not want to get pregnant.
Travel
VIDEO: Travel after an abortion
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 , you may start to have cramps and bleed heavily whilst you are travelling.
Air travel following surgical abortion with sedation and general anaesthetic
Please inform us if you need to fly following your surgery. Flights of 4 hours or more should be avoided for up to 48 hours after receiving a sedative or anaesthetic.
We advise that:
Are There Age Restrictions For Sterilization Procedures
There is no legal age requirement for a person in the U.S. to have a sterilization procedure. However, if a person is using Medicaid or another federally funded service, they must be at least 21 years old.
A doctor may also refuse to sterilize a person if they are under 30 years. Research from 2017 found that females aged 1824 were more likely to attempt sterilization reversal than females over 30. Reversal is not always successful, and people may consider it a permanent method.
Currently, 18 states allow doctors to refuse to provide sterilization procedures. This can be for any reason, such as age or the doctors own beliefs.
If a doctor has refused to perform sterilization procedures, a person can try going to another doctor.
Family planning services, such as Planned Parenthood, may be able to help a person find a doctor who will perform the procedure.
Emergency contraception methods include:
- IUDs that a healthcare professional can implant up to 5 days after intercourse.
- Ella, which is an emergency birth control pill that works up to 5 days after intercourse.
- Emergency birth control pills that are most effective up to 3 days after intercourse, such as Plan B, Option 2, or Preventeza.
Emergency contraceptives work best when a person uses them as soon as possible.
A person can only obtain Ella with a prescription. This pill costs around $50, although a person may get it free with health insurance or Medicaid.
Learn more
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