Recovering Gracefully After A Medical Abortion

Undergoing an abortion of any kind is hard on a woman, both physically and mentally. While a medical abortion won't require as much physical recovery time as a surgical one, it is still important to take good care of yourself and give yourself some grace in the days after the procedure. Here are some ways to ease your recovery, from an emotional and a physical perspective.

1. Have a friend stay with you.

If you live alone, arrange to have a close friend stay with you for a few days after you have your medical abortion. This should be someone you can trust completely and talk with openly. Having someone there will prevent you from feeling to alone with your thoughts; you'll be able to talk through concerns as they come up. Your friend can also help you prepare meals and carry out other tasks of living—which will be helpful when you're feeling tired and crampy.

2. Use a heating pad.

You'll probably have some serious cramping in the days following your procedure. A good way to ease this cramping is to place a heating pad on your midsection. Let it work its magic for about 15 minutes at a time; you can use it on your back if you have back cramps, too. If you do not have a heating pad, try draping a warm towel, fresh out of the clothes dryer, across your midsection instead.

3. Take pain relievers before the cramps get too bad.

Over-the-counter ibuprofen should be sufficient for managing your pain, but the secret lies in when you take it. Do not wait for the cramping to be unbearable. Take the medication as soon as you arrive home, and then stay on top of your doses, taking the medication as often as the bottle recommends. If you take a dose late, the cramps may worsen and be harder to manage.

4. Make an appointment with a therapist.

To make sure you continue to recovery emotionally, make an appointment with a therapist who focuses on women's issues. He or she can give you some skills to cope with feelings of guilt and worry that come up, so you can go on enjoying everyday life rather than allowing this experience to weigh you down. Don't be afraid to meet with several different therapists to see whose style best melds with your own needs. Every therapist has a somewhat different personality and approach. 

For more information, reach out to the clinics like Aaron Women’s Center Houston.