Most women could recover quickly within a few days, while some women take several weeks to recover. Although you might be able return to work as normal after a few days, you need to be aware of the physical warning signs, how to take care of yourself afterwards as you recover and how soon could you possibly get pregnant again. Here are the basic things you can do on taking care of yourself:
v Drink plenty of water to keep you hydrated
v Stay off work for a few days if you can
v Take vitamins, eat healthy food, and rest well
v Take the antibiotics prescribed by your doctor
v No swimming or tub baths for 2 weeks
v Don’t lift anything over 5kg for 2 weeks
v Avoid sexual intercourse for 2-4 weeks
How soon can I get pregnant again?
You can ovulate as soon as two weeks after an abortion, which means you could get pregnant again within two weeks after another unprotected intercourse. After the 2-4 weeks is over, you should avoid any sexual intercourse unless you’re feeling physically recovered, and don’t let yourself be pressured into having sex again before you are physically and emotionally ready. You should have a serious discussion about the course of action for future pregnancies.
How important is that 2 weeks check-up after surgery?
It’s important to see that your cervix has ‘closed’ completely to prevent infection in your uterus. This usually takes 2 weeks or longer after a surgical abortion. Once your cervix has returned to its normal condition, then it is safe for you to swim, take a bath, have intercourse, etc. But when your cervix is still open, there is a chance that bacteria can get up into your uterus, and cause painful and possibly damaging infections.
Managing your emotions in the weeks that follow:
The pregnancy hormones that your body generates to keep you pregnant start to dissipate after the pregnancy has been terminated. Depending on how far along in the pregnancy you were, and how sensitive you are to hormones, you may have pregnancy hormones still in your body for up to a year after an abortion. For the first 2-4 weeks following the abortion, your hormones are unstable and you might experience emotional rollercoaster.
