What happens after the abortion?

After someone has an abortion, she will probably have some bleeding and cramping for a few days to 2 weeks after the abortion. If she bleeds a lot, has severe lower belly pain, or a fever, she should call her health professional right away. If that happens, she could have an infection or a small bit of tissue may still be in her uterus.

The day after the abortion, most people can go back to their normal activities. The only thing that a person who had an abortion must do differently is to avoid putting anything in her vagina, because her cervix remains open, making it easier to get an infection. That means she shouldn't use tampons, douche, take a tub bath, or have sexual intercourse for 2 weeks, until she gets a check-up with her health professional.

The doctor will want to see the person who had an abortion 2 to 3 weeks after the procedure. The doctor will do a pelvic exam to make sure that the bleeding has stopped, the cervix has closed, and the uterus has returned to its normal size. When everything is fine, she will be able to have sexual intercourse again.