Post-Abortıon Process

Abortion is the process of terminating a pregnancy using medical methods. When performed under safe healthcare conditions, by a specialist physician, and within legal limits, the risk of serious complications is low; however, like every medical procedure, abortion may carry risks such as bleeding, infection, retained tissue inside the uterus, uterine injury, and anesthesia-related complications [1][2][3].

In Turkey, according to Law No. 2827 on Population Planning, uterine evacuation may be performed upon request until the completion of the tenth week of pregnancy, provided that there is no medical contraindication for the mother’s health [5]. Therefore, before deciding on abortion, gestational age, the location of the pregnancy inside the uterus, the person’s general health condition, and legal eligibility must be evaluated.

After abortion, mild weakness, fatigue, cramps similar to menstrual pain, and vaginal bleeding may occur. These symptoms usually decrease within a short time in most people [2][3]. However, high fever, foul-smelling discharge, heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, or a feeling of faintness are not considered normal and require medical attention without delay [2][3][4].

How Is Abortion Performed?

How abortion is performed is one of the most frequently asked questions before the procedure. In early weeks of pregnancy, surgical abortion is most often performed using the vacuum aspiration method. The World Health Organization recommends vacuum aspiration for surgical pregnancy terminations under 14 weeks and does not recommend the routine use of sharp curettage [1].

In the vacuum aspiration method, the cervix is prepared as needed, and the uterine contents are emptied in a controlled manner with the help of thin plastic cannulas. Before the procedure, gestational age and intrauterine location are evaluated by ultrasound. Local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia may be used during the procedure [2][3].

The general stages of abortion are as follows:

1. Preliminary evaluation: Gestational age, the location of the pregnancy inside the uterus, general health status, and legal eligibility are evaluated [2][5].
2. Ultrasound check: Intrauterine pregnancy and gestational age are confirmed.
3. Anesthesia plan: Local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia options are determined according to the person’s condition [2][3].
4. Preparation of the cervix: When necessary, the cervix is prepared for the procedure.
5. Vacuum aspiration: The uterine contents are aspirated with the help of a thin cannula [1][2].
6. Post-procedure observation: Bleeding, pain, blood pressure, and general condition are evaluated.

The procedure itself is usually short; however, the total time spent in the healthcare facility may be longer when preparation, anesthesia, and post-procedure observation are included [2].

What Is Abortion Used For?

Abortion allows a pregnancy to be medically terminated. It may be performed in unwanted pregnancies to terminate the pregnancy within legal limits and under medically appropriate conditions [1][3][5]. In addition, in some medical situations such as retained tissue inside the uterus after miscarriage, the uterus may need to be emptied; these situations are determined by physician evaluation [3].

Abortion should not be seen only as a “pregnancy termination” procedure. Before the procedure, the person’s gestational age, bleeding risk, signs of infection, blood type, medications used, chronic diseases, and psychological condition should be evaluated together [2][3][4].

After abortion, the person can usually return home the same day; however, this may vary depending on the anesthesia used, the amount of bleeding, general health status, and post-procedure observation [2]. After the procedure, it is important to consult a physician about an appropriate birth control method to prevent a new pregnancy. This is because fertility may return within a short time [1][2].

Is Abortion Harmful?

The answer to the question is abortion harmful depends on the conditions under which it is performed, the gestational age, and who performs the procedure. When abortion is performed under safe healthcare conditions, at an appropriate gestational age, and by a specialist physician, the risk of serious complications is low; however, the procedure is not completely risk-free [1][2][3].

Possible risks that may occur after abortion include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Retained tissue inside the uterus
• Injury to the cervix or uterine wall
• Side effects related to anesthesia
• Pain and cramping
• Rarely, uterine perforation
• Emotional difficulty, anxiety, or psychological fluctuations [3][4]

Mild bleeding, cramping, and fatigue may be expected after abortion [2]. However, foul-smelling discharge, prolonged fever, heavy bleeding, or severe pain may be signs of infection or another complication. In these cases, a healthcare facility should be consulted without delay [2][4].

The use of antibiotics or painkillers is not planned in the same way for every patient. Which medication will be used, its dose, and duration should be determined by the physician. It is not appropriate for the person to start antibiotics, fever reducers, or painkillers on their own [2][3].

What Is Abortion?

Abortion is the process of emptying pregnancy tissue inside the uterus, or tissue remaining inside the uterus in certain medical situations, by a physician. In early weeks of pregnancy, vacuum aspiration is most commonly used as the surgical method [1][2].

Before deciding on abortion, an ultrasound evaluation is performed. Whether the pregnancy is inside the uterus, gestational age, the person’s general health status, bleeding risk, and legal limits are evaluated together [2][3][5].

In Turkey, the legal period for elective pregnancy termination is evaluated under Law No. 2827. According to the law, uterine evacuation may be performed upon request until the completion of the tenth week of pregnancy, provided that there is no medical contraindication for the mother’s health [5]. This duration and medical eligibility must be clarified through physician evaluation.

Mild bleeding and cramping may occur after abortion. The person can usually return to daily life within a short time; however, the physician’s recommended waiting period should be followed regarding heavy exercise, sexual intercourse, tampon use, and vaginal douching [2][3].

Things to Consider After Abortion

After abortion, discharge recommendations should be followed so that the recovery process proceeds safely. After the procedure, it is possible for the person to feel tired for a while, experience mild cramping, and have vaginal bleeding [2]. However, the severity and duration of symptoms are important.

Things to consider after abortion include:

• Medications recommended by the doctor should be used regularly.
• Care should be taken to rest during the first days.
• It should be known that mild bleeding and cramping may occur [2].
• A doctor should be consulted in cases of heavy bleeding, fever, foul-smelling discharge, or severe pain [2][4].
• Sexual intercourse should be avoided for the period recommended by the doctor.
• For practices that may increase the risk of infection, such as tampon use, vaginal douching, swimming pools, or the sea, the physician’s recommendation should be awaited.
• An appropriate birth control method should be planned to prevent a new pregnancy [1][2].
• The follow-up appointment should not be missed.

Taking a shower is possible in most cases; however, directing water into the vagina, performing vaginal douching, or engaging in practices that may increase the risk of infection should be avoided. Personalized recommendations should be given by the physician who performed the procedure [2][3].

Are Bleeding and Fever Normal After Abortion?

Mild or moderate vaginal bleeding may occur after abortion. This bleeding usually decreases over time [2]. However, if there is bleeding of more than one pad per hour, large clots, dizziness, a feeling of faintness, or severe abdominal pain, urgent evaluation is required [2][4].

It is not correct to consider fever “normal.” Fever after the procedure, especially if accompanied by foul-smelling discharge, severe pain, or weakness, may be a sign of infection [2][4]. In this situation, the person should consult a doctor instead of taking medication on their own.

Foul-smelling discharge should also not be considered a normal sign of recovery. If the discharge has a bad odor, changes color, or occurs together with pain and fever, evaluation for infection is required [2][4].

When Can Daily Life Be Resumed After Abortion?

Returning to daily life after abortion varies from person to person. Some people may return to light activities the same day, while others may need to rest for a few days. The type of anesthesia used, the amount of bleeding, the level of pain, and the person’s general health condition affect this duration [2][3].

In the first days, it may be beneficial not to lift heavy objects, avoid intense exercise, avoid standing for long periods, and not strain the body. The time to return to work varies depending on the physical demands of the person’s job. Return may be sooner for desk jobs, while jobs requiring physical effort may require a longer rest period.

If general anesthesia or sedation was used, the person may need to avoid driving on the day of the procedure and have support from a companion. The discharge recommendations of the healthcare facility should be taken into account on this matter [2][3].

Frequently Asked Questions About Abortion

References

1. World Health Organization (WHO). Abortion care guideline, 2022. (https://www.who.int)
2. NHS. Abortion. (https://www.nhs.uk)
3. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Induced Abortion. (https://www.acog.org)
4. NCBI Bookshelf / StatPearls. Abortion Complications. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
5. Law No. 2827 on Population Planning. Article 5. (https://www.tjod.org)