Abortion Recovery
When to Seek Care Immediately
Your provider will give you instructions on when to reach out for immediate care. These signs often include:
- Heavy bleeding—soaking 1 pad every hour—lasting 3 hours
- Discharge that itches, causes pain, or has a foul odor, which can be a sign of infection
- A fever of over 100 degrees or chills, which can be a sign of infection
- Nausea or vomiting lasting more than 24 hours
- Abdominal pain that lasts a long time and is not helped by over-the-counter medication
Recovery is Different for Everyone
Recovery is different for different people and can vary based on what kind of abortion a person had. For more information about abortion recovery, visit Planned Parenthood.
Department of Defense policies protect the rights of servicewomen to convalescent leave after obtaining abortion care. You have the right to recover.
This page is meant for educational purposes and is not intended to replace the advice of your medical provider.
Normal Side Effects
- Bleeding and spotting can last up to 6 weeks. Wearing pads can help to monitor how much you are bleeding and if you need to seek additional care
- You might have vaginal discharge
- Cramping is normal and can peak 3 to 5 days after the abortion. This can be treated with heat, massage and over-the-counter medication
Recovery Information
● You shouldn’t have sex or douche for one week. You can get pregnant the next time you ovulate, so use protection and/or birth control if you’re sexually active.
● If you were prescribed antibiotics, you should take them.
● You should avoid strenuous activity
● You shouldn’t use bath bombs or bath oils if you’re taking a bath
● If you had an in-clinic abortion, you shouldn’t use tampons for 1 week
Mental Health and Emotional Support Resources
Although 95% of women don’t not regret their decision to have an abortion, there’s no right or wrong way to feel after having an abortion.
You are entitled to military mental healthcare. If you don’t feel comfortable going through the military for mental/behavioral healthcare or emotional support, there are other resources available to you. Some are listed in the cards below.
If you’re looking on your own for a post-abortion support group, ensure that it’s not associated with a pregnancy crisis center. Some signs a support resource might be associated with one of these include calling emergency contraception “abortion pills” or trying to make you feel guilty about your decision.
Connect and Breatheopen_in_new
A nonjudgemental after-abortion talk line available at certain times on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
All-Optionsopen_in_new
A talkline that connects callers with nonjudgemental peer advisors. Available in the United States and Canada at various hours throughout the week. If someone is unable to take your call, they will call you back within 48 hours.
Faith Aloudopen_in_new
A talk line associated with All-Options, but with the goal of providing “judgement-free and compassionate spiritual care” to people before, during, or after they make reproductive health decisions. Volunteers range from lay ministers to active, ordained clergy of various faith traditions. Available in the United States at certain times on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. .
Exhale Text Lineopen_in_new
A texting-based option that offers you a space to feel what you need to feel. Available to those stationed in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
Postpartum Support Internationalopen_in_new
A virtual support group for those who had abortions for personal reasons and a virtual support group for those who had abortions for medical reasons. These are hosted several times a month.