After Care

General Information - Surgical Abortion

You have had minor surgery and should take good care of yourself for the next few days. Take it easy, listen to your body and use common sense. You may return to normal daily activities whenever you feel ready. This is generally within a couple of hours or 1-2 days following the surgery.

Symptoms of pregnancy, including nausea, should be gone within 24 to 48 hours. Breast tenderness may last up to a week. Your body will be undergoing some changes in that time, due to a drop in the hormones of pregnancy. These hormonal changes can cause mood swings for a few days. It can also be normal to not have these mood swings, it does not mean that the abortion was not complete.

DO NOT take a pregnancy test in the first few weeks after your abortion - it will be positive. It can take up to 6 weeks after the abortion for a pregnancy test to become negative.

Bleeding and cramping may stop soon after your abortion and then resume three to five days later. Passing of clots at that time is not unusual. You may continue to have bleeding or spotting for up to three weeks after your abortion. This is normal. It is also normal to have little to no bleeding at all, so don’t be alarmed. Your activity level may affect the amount of bleeding or spotting and cramping you have.

You can expect to have your first normal menstrual period in four to eight weeks. It may be heavier and have more clots than your normal periods. If you are using birth control pills, you should have bleeding at the end of each cycle of pills. If you have no period after two cycles of pills, have a pregnancy test done.

YOU MAY BECOME PREGNANT ANY TIME AFTER THE ABORTION IF YOU HAVE UNPROTECTED INTERCOURSE.

After the abortion, you should do the following:

1. Take all of your prescribed medications

2. Shower or bathe daily to promote good hygiene. If you are experiencing cramping, a warm tub bath or heating pad may help.

3. It is OK to use tampons. However, do not douche. It increases the risk of infection.

4. Abstain from sexual intercourse for two weeks. You risk getting pregnant again if you have sex in the next two weeks.

5. Our clinic is available for future birth control needs and annual pap smears.

The 24-hour MEDICAL EMERGENCY number for abortion related emergencies is:

(701) 298-9999

toll free 1-888-928-9009

For information or any other concerns, please call during regular office hours, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. We are happy to answer any questions or concerns.

Call the Clinic If:

1. Your temperature goes over 100.4^o F. or 38^o C.

2. Your bleeding is twice as heavy as a heavy period, or if you soak more than one maxi pad per hour for two hours in a row.

3. You have severe cramping that is not relieved by warm tub baths or medications such as Aleve, Advil, Midol, Tylenol, etc., taken for pain every three to four hours and you are unable to rest;

4. You have no menstrual period within eight weeks.

When You Call Us, You Should Know:

1. Your temperature within the last hour.

2. The number of pads you have used during the last hour.

3. The phone number of your pharmacy. If you are calling at night or on Sunday, make sure your pharmacy is open.

4. The phone number where we can reach you if you are calling after hours.

If you have an abortion related emergency, our staff is available by telephone, through an answering service, 24 hours a day. Be sure to leave your area code if a call-back is indicated. We will NOT be responsible for expenses you incur by going someplace else without calling us first.

Patient Take Home Medication Information

1. Take all medications as directed with a full glass of water to be sure you get the amount prescribed and avoid an upset stomach.

2. Antibiotic: This is sometimes given to clear up an infection or prevent one. Take all the pills given to you. Usually the medication used is Doxycycline. It may make you sensitive to the sun, so stay out of the sun until you have finished your prescription. Do take it with some food so you don't upset your stomach.

3. Ergotrate: This medication causes your uterus to contract down to its normal, non-pregnant size and helps avoid heavy bleeding or hemorrhaging. It may cause some cramping in your thigh or groin area as it contracts muscles. Your bleeding may increase after finishing this medication. Some patients may be given pills, but told not to take them unless they have heavy bleeding and contact the clinic first.

4. Pain Medication: For cramping pain you may take over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as Naproxen (Aleve), Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Midol, etc.

KEEP ALL MEDICATIONS OUT

OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

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e-mail us at: info@RedRiverWomensClinic.com