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Abortion

• Overview
• Recovery
• Risks

Alternative Names:

Suction curettage

Expectations after surgery:

Most women who have a surgical abortion in an appropriate medical center recover without any physical complications.

Women who have a medical (non-surgical) abortion have cramping and bleeding, and pass the pregnancy as though they were having a miscarriage.

Some women feel ambivalent about ending a pregnancy, and may need psychological and emotional support at the time of their procedure. It's important to seek counseling before making this very difficult decision.

Convalescence:

Physical recovery usually occurs within a few days, depending on the stage of the pregnancy. A small amount of vaginal bleeding and mild uterine cramping should be expected for a few days.

A hot bath or use of a heating pad or hot water bottle on the abdomen may help relieve discomfort. Strenuous activity should be avoided for a few days following an abortion. Tampons may be used after 3 days. Sexual intercourse should be avoided for 2 to 3 weeks. A normal menstrual period should occur 4 to 6 weeks after the operation.

It's important to begin using birth control immediately after the abortion procedure. It is possible to get pregnant again even before having a normal menstrual period.

References:

ACOG. Clinical management guidelines of obstetrician-gynecologists. Medical management of abortion. Obstet Gynecol . 2005 Oct;106(4):871-82.

Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL. Obstetrics - Normal and Problem Pregnancies . 4th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2002:622-644.

Stenchever A. Comprehensive Gynecology . 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001:413-434.

• Review Date: 3/29/2007
• Reviewed By: Melanie N. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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