Abortion Aftercare

Would you like another copy of your Aftercare Instructions as a PDF? Select Below:

Medication Abortion (“Abortion Pill”) Aftercare
Procedural Abortion Aftercare
Medication Abortion (Abortion Pill) Procedural Abortion

Your Care at Home

Medication Abortion

You can also download a PDF of this form locally here.

Today at FCHC:   During your appointment at FCHC you were administered the Abortion Pill (Mifepristone). This may cause bleeding.

Within 48 hours At Home:  You were dispensed 4 Misoprostol tablets to take as directed at home, even if bleeding had started.

How to Take Your Next Pills: Please refer to the Medication Guide Booklet you were given.

  • 4 Misoprostol tablets provided – Take as instructed by our clinician within 24 to 48 hours.
  • Choose a time when you have privacy, access to the bathroom, and can take care of yourself.
  • We recommend taking over-the-counter ibuprofen: four (4) 200mg tablets before taking misoprostol.
  • You can also continue to manage painful cramps with over-the-counter ibuprofen.
  • Wear a maxi pad – Drink fluids – Eat well and maintain your daily routines as comfortable for you.’

What to Expect:

  • Cramping, bleeding and spotting are expected during your Medication Abortion treatment.
  • 2 to 48 hours after taking Misoprostol at home you will experience severe-to-mild bleeding and increased cramping, lasting 4-8 hours
  • Very severe cramping, much more than a usual period is common, especially as clots and pregnancy tissue is expelled
  • Chills, fever, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea are common side effects of the medicines.
  • Bleeding decreases within 48 hours. Irregular bleeding and spotting may continue for 6-8 weeks until your next period.
  • If persistent spotting and bleeding concerns you please call us. You can also note it on your 2-week Follow-Up Wellness Report.
  • Pregnancy hormones gradually decrease so pregnancy symptoms subside within 10-14 days, but a Urine hormone test will continue to read positive for 4 to 6 weeks.
What do I need to avoid?

• Pads should be used after your procedure to monitor bleeding. FCHC suggests you avoid tampons or menstrual cycle cups until bleeding has slowed down and you are only spotting.

• Do not use vaginal medications or suppositories unless you have checked with your physician. Do not douche.

• FCHC suggests refraining from sexual activity for the next 7 days.		What should I do to recover quickly and easily?

• Return to your normal activities as soon as you can. You do not need bed rest. You may shower and take baths.

• Enjoy fresh air and exercise. Regular walks and light exercise can help decrease cramping.

• Treat cramping with Ibuprofen. A cold pack or heating pad on the abdomen or lower back is helpful. You can also massage your
abdomen to relieve discomfort.

• Strenuous activity (heavy lifting, exercise) may increase bleeding. This is normal.
Additional Important Information:

• You can expect a period in 4-6 weeks after your abortion.

• Your first period will be heavier and longer, will include small clots with heavier cramping than usual. This is normal.

• Contraception information can be found here: www.bedsider.org/birth–control.  

• Pregnancy can occur before your next period.

• Urine pregnancy hCG hormone tests will be positive up to 4-8 weeks.  Call if concerned.

• Discounted fees are available for continuing GYN services		CALL US IF YOU EXPERIENCE:

• Persistent fever – 100.4 or higher for 3 hours or more

• Severe persistent cramping or pain not helped by medication

• Very heavy bleeding: SOAKING 1 maxi pads every hour and or passing 4 or more large clots walnut size or larger for 2 hours or more. 

• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours

• Severe malaise or weakness 48 hours after misoprostol

• Persistent pregnancy symptoms after 2 weeks, or if you do not have a period by 8 weeks.

 

IN TWO (2) WEEKS COMPLETE YOUR FOLLOW-UP WELLNESS REPORT:    

  • Online: go to www.fallschurchhealthcare.com/follow-up   or,
  • call us to complete your Wellness Report at 703 532-2500  or,
  • Falls Church Healthcare Center also offers in person follow-up appointments.  Call to make an appointment

IN FOUR (4) WEEKS COMPLETE THE URINE hCG HORMONE TEST YOU WERE GIVEN. Call us if you have any concerns.

Your Care at Home

Procedural Abortion

You can also download a PDF of this form locally here.

What can I expect at home?

  • BLEEDING: You can experience bleeding that lasts for 5-7 days, then experience spotting that lasts for an additional week or more. The amount of bleeding will vary for each person. For some patients, the bleeding stops and starts for a few days at a time. Others may not have bleeding at all. It is normal to pass clots while bleeding. Spotting could persist until your next menstrual cycle.
  • CRAMPS: Many patients experience cramping similar to their menstrual cycle cramps or stronger. As needed, you may take over the counter medications containing ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen to help with discomfort. Take these medications according to manufacturer’s instructions.
  • CHANGE IN HORMONES: Pregnancy hormones gradually decrease and pregnancy symptoms will subside within 10-14 days, but a Urine hCG hormone test continues to read positive for 4 to 6 weeks.

What do I need to avoid?

• Pads should be used after your procedure to monitor bleeding. FCHC suggests you avoid tampons or menstrual cycle cups until bleeding has slowed down and you are only spotting.

• Do not use vaginal medications or suppositories unless you have checked with your physician. Do not douche.

• If you had IV sedation, avoid driving for 24 hours.

• FCHC suggests refraining from sexual activity for the next 7 days.		What should I do to recover quickly and easily?

• Return to your normal activities as soon as you can. You do not need bed rest. You may shower and take baths.

• Enjoy fresh air and exercise. Regular walks and light exercise can help decrease cramping.

• Treat cramping with Ibuprofen. A cold pack or heating pad on the abdomen or lower back is helpful. You can also massage your
abdomen to relieve discomfort.

• Strenuous activity (heavy lifting, exercise) may increase bleeding. This is normal.
Additional Important Information:

• You can expect a period in 4-8 weeks after your abortion.

• Your first period will be heavier and longer, will include small clots with heavier cramping than usual. This is normal.

• Contraception information can be found here: www.bedsider.org/methods.  Pregnancy can occur before your next period.

• Urine pregnancy hCG hormone tests will be positive up to 4-6 weeks.  Call if concerned.

• Discounted fees are available for continuing GYN services		CALL US IF YOU EXPERIENCE:

• Persistent fever – 100.4 or higher for 3 hours or more

• Severe persistent cramping or pain not helped by medication

• Very heavy bleeding: SOAKING 1 maxi pads every hour and or passing 4 or more large clots walnut size or larger for 2 hours or more. 

• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours

• Persistent pregnancy symptoms after 2 weeks
• If you do not have a period by 8 weeks.

IN TWO (2) WEEKS COMPLETE YOUR FOLLOW-UP WELLNESS REPORT:    

  • Online: go to www.fallschurchhealthcare.com/follow-up   or,
  • call us to complete your Wellness Report at 703 532-2500  or,
  • Falls Church Healthcare Center also offers in person follow-up appointments.  Call to make an appointment

IN FOUR (4) WEEKS COMPLETE THE URINE hCG HORMONE TEST YOU WERE GIVEN. Call us if you have any concerns.