Recovery Tips After Taking the Abortion Pill

Most patients feel back to normal within 1 to 2 days after taking misoprostol. The heaviest bleeding and cramping usually last 3 to 5 hours, and after that the symptoms ease off. Many patients return to work or school the next day.

Lighter bleeding or spotting is normal and may continue for 1 to 3 weeks as your uterus returns to its normal state. It will slowly get lighter, like the end of a period.

Everyone recovers at a different pace. Some patients feel ready for normal activities within hours after the worst cramping passes, while others want an extra day of rest. Listen to your body and give yourself the time you need.

Ibuprofen works best for abortion pill cramping. You can take up to 800 mg every 6 to 8 hours, as recommended by the provider, and it helps to start about 30 minutes before you take misoprostol, before the cramping gets bad.

A heating pad or hot water bottle on your lower belly can also relax the muscles and ease the pain. Many patients find ibuprofen plus heat works very well.

Skip aspirin, because it can increase bleeding. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) does less for cramping than ibuprofen, but you can take it if ibuprofen is not an option for you. The provider will give you specific pain instructions at your appointment.

If your pain is severe and not improving with ibuprofen and a heating pad, call the clinic. The provider may be able to prescribe something stronger.

After taking misoprostol, you will bleed more heavily than a normal period. The bleeding usually starts within 1 to 4 hours and stays heavy for 3 to 5 hours. You may pass large blood clots, and that is a normal part of the process.

Once the heaviest bleeding passes, lighter bleeding or spotting continues for 1 to 3 weeks. The amount varies from person to person, and some days may be heavier than others.

Use thick maxi pads during the heaviest bleeding. Do not use tampons, menstrual cups, or anything else inserted into the vagina for at least 2 weeks, because that raises the risk of infection. You can switch to regular pads or panty liners as the bleeding gets lighter.

Your first normal period should return 4 to 6 weeks after the abortion. If it has not come back after 6 weeks, call the clinic.

Drink plenty of water, clear broth, or sports drinks. Fluids help your body recover and can ease the tired or dizzy feeling that sometimes follows heavy bleeding.

If you feel sick to your stomach, stick to light foods like crackers, toast, bananas, and rice. Once the nausea passes you can eat whatever you like, since there are no food rules after the abortion pill.

Skip alcohol for at least 24 hours after taking misoprostol, since it can increase bleeding and mix badly with pain medicine. After the first day, you can eat and drink as usual.

Most patients get back to work, school, or other activities within 1 to 2 days after taking misoprostol. The heaviest symptoms happen on the day you take the second medication, so plan to rest that day.

Light activity like walking is fine as soon as you feel up to it. Hold off on hard exercise and heavy lifting for about a week, which gives your body time to heal and keeps the bleeding from picking up again.

You can shower right away. Skip baths, swimming pools, and hot tubs for at least 2 weeks to lower the risk of infection.

Wait at least 1 to 2 weeks before having vaginal sex, so your cervix has time to close fully and the risk of infection stays low. The provider will go over the timeline at your follow-up visit.

Serious complications from the abortion pill are rare, happening in less than 1% of cases, but you should know the warning signs. Go to your nearest emergency room if you notice any of the following:

• Heavy bleeding: Soaking through two or more thick pads in one hour for two or more hours in a row.
• Lasting fever: A temperature above 100.4°F for more than 24 hours after taking misoprostol.
• Severe pain: Belly pain that ibuprofen or a heating pad does not relieve.
• Foul-smelling discharge: This could be a sign of an infection that needs treatment.
• No bleeding: If you have no bleeding at all within 24 hours of taking misoprostol, contact the clinic.

If an ultrasound did not confirm your pregnancy was in the uterus, also watch for signs of an ectopic pregnancy: severe pain on one side of the lower abdomen, shoulder pain, dizziness, or fainting. An ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening emergency, so go to your nearest emergency room right away.

These symptoms are uncommon, and quick treatment makes them easy to manage. If something does not feel right, call the clinic, and the staff will help you figure out whether you need to be seen.

Call The Center for Women at (708) 450-4545 to schedule your appointment. Same-day, evening, and weekend appointments are available.

The clinic is located at 10215 W. Roosevelt Rd. #101, Westchester, IL 60154. The $380 cost covers everything: your provider visit, ultrasound, both medications, and your follow-up. Your follow-up is typically scheduled 1 to 2 weeks after your first visit to confirm the abortion is complete.