Aftercare

Post Operative Instructions

Bleeding

• You may have no bleeding to heavy bleeding up to 4 weeks after your abortion. The bleeding can start and stop many times throughout those 4 weeks. This is normal. If you are soaking between 2-3 maxi pads per hour, that is too much and you should call the clinic or our medical emergency phone. For a visual description of what is light or heavy bleeding click here.
• Between 4 to 6 days after the procedure you may have more severe cramps and pass larger clots. This is also normal. Doing the uterine massage described below can help the cramping, and may help pass the clots.

Cramping

• Cramping can be on and off for up to 4 weeks and it can be severe. If you experience cramping, you can take pain medication, use a heating pad where you feel the cramp pain, and do uterine massage as described below.  Call the clinic if the cramping is not relieved by these methods.
• Medication – You can take medication that you would normally use for menstrual cramps. If you do not normally experience cramps with your period, you can  take:
  • 400mg ibuprofen (ex. Advil) every 4 hours with food, to a maximum of 1200mg in 24 hours.
  •  500-1000mg acetaminophen (ex. 1-2 tablets Extra Strength Tylenol) every 4-6 hours to a maximum of 8 tablets in 24 hours.
  • DO NOT take ASA (Aspirin)
• Uterine Massage – To massage your uterus, make a fist or use your fingertips and rub and press hard on your abdomen right above your pubic bone in a downward motion. Do this massage for 2-5 minutes every hour on the day of your abortion, then at least 5 times a day for the next week even if you are not experiencing cramping. If you are having severe cramping, do this massage for 2-5 minutes every 15 minutes for one hour.  If you had an IUD inserted on the day of your procedure, it is not recommended to do the uterine massage as it could expel the IUD. 

Temperature

• If you take your temperature with a thermometer and you have a temperature greater than 38.5◦C, call the clinic.

To Avoid Infection

• Do not put anything in your vagina for 7 days. This means, no sexual intercourse, no fingers, no tampons, no douching or vaginal deodorants, no baths (showers are ok), and no swimming pools or hot tubs. Take showers instead of baths for the first 7 days. Avoid hot tubs and swimming pools for 7 days.

Activity

• Do not drive or operate hazardous equipment for 24 hours after your procedure, or engage in any activity that requires mental alertness.
• Rest for 24 hours
• Do activities as tolerated.  Heavy lifting or strenuous exercise may increase blood flow and cramps

Other Symptoms

• Signs of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness, enlargement or leaking, frequency of passing urine, fatigue, and nausea, will disappear over the next month. If you are concerned about the duration of these symptoms,  call the clinic during office hours. Note that breast tenderness is usually the last symptom to disappear.

Complications & Emergencies

• If you are concerned about heavy bleeding, fever, abdominal pain, or vaginal discharge, please call the clinic at 403-283-9117 Monday to Friday between 8:00 am-4:30 pm. If it is after 4:30 pm or on weekends, call the medical emergency phone number that was given to you in your aftercare package.
• If you feel you require urgent care and cannot wait to be seen at the clinic or by your doctor, go to the nearest hospital. If you go to the hospital and are unable to call us first, please let the clinic know within 10 days.