Abortion: Uterine Aspiration Aftercare

Take Care of Yourself

Impairment. Do not operate a motor vehicle or sign legal documents in the 24 hours after your procedure, as you are considered legally impaired. Avoid alcohol, marijuana and street drugs for 24 hours.
Activity. You should rest for the remainder of the day of the procedure. You may return to normal activities without any physical restrictions after this, as you feel able to. You may return to work as early as the next day. Note that heavy lifting or strenuous exercise may increase blood flow and cramps.
Bleeding. You may experience anything from no bleeding to mild or heavy bleeding. It can start and stop many times and last up to one month. You may pass small clots and have mild cramps that come and go. You can take the medication you would normally use for menstrual cramps.
- Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) 400 to 600 mg every 4 hours with food, to a maximum of 2,400 mg in 24 hours.
- Acetaminophen (Extra Strength Tylenol) 1 or 2 tablets (500 to 1,000 mg) every 4 to 6 hours, to a maximum of 8 tablets (4,000 mg) in 24 hours.

After your procedure you have a greater risk of uterine infection. For the next one week do not put anything in your vagina. This means:

Signs of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness, enlargement or leaking, passing urine frequently, fatigue and nausea will disappear over the next month. Note that breast tenderness is usually the last symptom to disappear.
Your fertility can resume within 10 days of the procedure. To prevent pregnancy use a form of birth control. If you want to get pregnant, you may resume intercourse one week after the procedure.

If you have questions or concerns, call the clinic, 393-6635 to book an appointment.