After An Abortion

The decision to terminate a pregnancy is a choice with emotional and physical consequences. Many health care providers can help prepare a woman for the procedure, but what to expect after an abortion will vary between women and the kind of abortion she receives. The hormonal changes a woman experienced during the pregnancy will subside after about a week, but it can take months for her body to fully stabilize.

At least 48 hours after an abortion, a woman should experience vaginal bleeding. A woman should also see some form of discharged fetus or gestational sac, according to the Mayo Clinic website. If this doesn't occur, she may still be pregnant. She will need to check in with her health care provider after the abortion. He or she will check the woman's uterine size, for an ongoing pregnancy as well as infection.

The Mayo Clinic website states that it's rare for an abortion to affect a woman's fertility or future pregnancies. However, a woman must take care of herself particularly in the weeks immediately following an abortion. The cervix remains open for one to two weeks after certain abortions. Therefore, swimming, intercourse, tampons and other activities that can directly contact and contaminate a woman's vaginal area should be avoided.

Emotional effects of an abortion can be counseled for, and some clinics may not charge money for post-abortion therapy.