What to Expect After a Surgical Abortion

Making the decision to terminate a pregnancy isn’t easy for any woman. Not knowing what to expect can exacerbate your feelings.

At Eve Medical of Miami, our skilled team has been helping women in and around Miami, Florida, make informed and empowered decisions about their health since 1978. For women exploring their options, we offer medical and surgical abortions. 

To ease anxiety, we want to share what you might expect after a surgical abortion.

The surgical procedures

The type of procedure we use to terminate your pregnancy may depend on many factors, including your overall health and the length of your pregnancy. 

First trimester procedures

The first trimester procedures we use to terminate a pregnancy depend on weeks of gestation.

• Menstrual aspiration: up to 7 weeks gestation
• Vacuum aspiration or dilation suction: weeks 8-14

First trimester abortions are safe and complications are rare. 

Second trimester procedures

Second trimester abortions are performed during weeks 13-24 of gestation. The specifics of the procedure differ for weeks 13-16 and 17-24. 

During an early second trimester abortion, we perform a vacuum aspiration. However, when a second trimester abortion is performed during weeks 17-24, we perform a two-day procedure. Though you don’t have to spend the night at the clinic or a hospital, you’ll need to spend long hours at the clinic on both days. 

What to expect after a surgical abortion

Due to the types of sedatives we use for a surgical abortion, we recommend you arrange to have someone drive you home after the procedure and take it easy for the rest of the day. 

You should be able to resume most of your usual activities within 1-2 days after your surgical abortion. However, we recommend you refrain from strenuous exercise and sexual intercourse for at least a week.

It’s normal to experience irregular bleeding or spotting for up to two weeks after the procedure. Cramping is also normal and may last two weeks. However, some women continue to experience pelvic pain for as long as six weeks. 

In addition to the physical symptoms, it’s normal to feel like you’re on an emotional roller coaster after you terminate a pregnancy. It’s not uncommon for women to feel a sense of relief coupled with guilt, shame, and sadness.

Caring for you after the procedure 

Our women’s health experts care about your physical, emotional, and mental wellness. To help you make the most informed choices about your health, we offer counseling before and after you terminate a pregnancy.

We also offer family planning and contraception counseling so you can take steps to protect your health and prevent unplanned pregnancy. 

No matter what, you can feel comfortable knowing that your counseling and treatments are bound by patient-doctor confidentiality and known only to you and your doctor. We also offer financial assistance if needed.

When it comes to your body and your health, you’re not alone. To schedule a consultation with our health care experts, contact our Miami office by phone or book your appointment online today.