Abortion Aftercare
Whether it’s a surgical abortion or the medical abortion pill, abortion aftercare requires the utmost attention. The following chart is an easy way to understand abortion aftercare and evaluate the recovery implications for different procedures.
| MVA | RU-486 | SURGICAL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RESUME NORMAL ACTIVITY *except tampon insertion or sex | Immediately | After cramping resolves, usually 1-4 hours | 1st Trimester within hours 2nd Trimester next day |
| BLEEDING | Usually lighter than a period for 1 – 2 weeks | 1 – 2 weeks of intermittent bleeding or spotting | Usually lighter than a period for 1 – 2 weeks |
| CRAMPING | Goes away | Usually 1-4 hours | Mild for up to 24 hours |
| PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS | Usually nausea decreases within hours of the procedure | Usually nausea goes away within day of taking the first pill | Usually nausea decreases within hours of the procedure |
| PRECAUTIONS | Nothing in the vagina for 3 weeks | Nothing in the vagina for 14 days | Nothing in the vagina for 3 weeks |
| MVA | RU-486 | SURGICAL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RESUME NORMAL ACTIVITY *except tampon insertion or sex | Immediately | After cramping resolves, usually 1-4 hours | 1st Trimester within hours 2nd Trimester next day |
| BLEEDING | Usually lighter than a period for 1 – 2 weeks | 1 – 2 weeks of intermittent bleeding or spotting | Usually lighter than a period for 1 – 2 weeks |
| CRAMPING | Goes away | Usually 1-4 hours | Mild for up to 24 hours |
| PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS | Usually nausea decreases within hours of the procedure | Usually nausea goes away within day of taking the first pill | Usually nausea decreases within hours of the procedure |
| PRECAUTIONS | Nothing in the vagina for 3 weeks | Nothing in the vagina for 14 days | Nothing in the vagina for 3 weeks |
Please also see our Frequently Asked Questions page for detailed information about a variety of common issues, concerns and medical abortion aftercare facts.
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