Did you recently undergo an abortion and are a little in the dark on common side effects? Or are you considering a pregnancy termination and want to learn more about potential symptoms? While there is a lot of information about this topic on the internet, there is not enough discussion about extreme fatigue after abortion.
Women who had an abortion are expected to experience a series of typical physical symptoms. What most people are unaware of are emotional side effects and how they can impact women’s physical health.
In this article, our abortion clinic and women’s health clinic will teach you about the most common side effects, extreme fatigue after abortion, and how you can look after your health for a quick and smooth recovery.
Most Common Physical Side Effects Of Having An Abortion
All women who come to our clinic are informed about the expected physical side effects of abortion. Symptoms can vary slightly depending on whether you decide to take Misoprostol (the abortion pill) or undergo surgical abortion. But generally speaking, the following are the most typical side effects of pregnancy termination:
Bleeding
Bleeding after abortion is one of the most expected side effects; almost every woman experiences at least some bleeding the days following the procedure. We are referring to vaginal bleeding, which is quite similar to when you have your period.
The amounts and length of bleeding can differ due to many factors, including the pregnancy stage and the abortion method. The abortion pill causes more bleeding compared to surgical abortion; after taking Misoprostol, women usually bleed for an average of 9 days.
Cramping
The second most common side effect is some mild pain or discomfort. In the days after the abortion, your body is working hard to expel the rest of the pregnancy (in the case of medical abortion), help the uterus come back to its original size, and recover.
Post-abortion cramps feel like menstrual cramps but more intense. If you had a surgical abortion, on the first days, you will likely feel mild cramps that will increase in intensity 3 to 5 days after the procedure.
Body Pain
Besides the cramping, you may feel pelvic, abdominal, and lower back pain. Each abortion experience is unique; some women also report breast or chest tenderness that lasts a few days or weeks. Other patients also experience chills and shivering; when that last symptom is accompanied by fever, it is best to contact your healthcare professional.
Post-abortion pain should never feel intolerable. If you are suffering extreme pelvic or abdominal pain, those could be signs of incomplete abortion. When in doubt, we advise you to call your healthcare provider and tell them about your symptoms.
Is Extreme Fatigue After Abortion Common?
Let’s go back to our main question: Is extreme fatigue after abortion common? Tiredness and fatigue are among the most typical side effects of surgical and medical abortion, as well as pregnancy loss.
Just like with any other medical procedure, after an abortion, your body will need a little time to regain strength and recover. During the following days, you don’t have to worry if your energy levels are a bit down.
Some women can go back to their regular routine the day after having an abortion. However, others may need a day or two before they can resume their normal activity level.
While feeling tired is expected, extreme fatigue after abortion is less common. If, after a week, you still feel too tired to return to your regular activities, you may need to schedule a consultation with your primary healthcare provider. Extreme fatigue that doesn’t go away after a few days could mean you are developing a mental health condition.
Do Emotional Side Effects Play A Role In Feeling Tired?
We talked about physical post-abortion symptoms, but we can’t forget about emotional side effects. Some women may experience mental health symptoms after terminating a pregnancy; that’s why all professional abortion health centers offer counseling and guidance to their patients.
In the days or weeks after an abortion, women may experience feelings of relief mixed with guilt or intense sadness. The complexity of an abortion decision most times goes beyond our understanding. Even if a woman wants to terminate her pregnancy and is sure about her decision, she can still feel emotional or endure abortion grief.
Feelings of sadness and grief can enhance tiredness and lead to fatigue. That’s why doctors recommend taking enough time to rest, allowing your body to heal, and giving your mental health space to process this situation. We highly encourage patients to have someone of trust with them during post-abortion care. Love and support from friends or family can help overcome emotional symptoms faster.
What To Do If Mental Health Side Effects Don’t Go Away?
In some cases, the emotional side effects of abortion can intensify, leading to mental health conditions, such as depression or post-abortion syndrome. When that happens, women should seek help from a mental health professional as soon as possible to regain their well-being.
Sometimes, the nature of mental health illnesses, such as anxiety disorder or depression, can make you tired. Such conditions can make everyday tasks seem unattainable, take away your energy and vitality, and remove joy from activities you used to enjoy.
When Do Pregnancy Symptoms Stop After An Abortion?
Another reason behind feeling tired after an abortion is that fatigue is a pregnancy symptom. When you terminate a pregnancy, some of the usual pregnancy side effects, like nausea and vomiting, can take a few days to disappear.
If you feel a little weary after having a medical or surgical abortion, that can be a pregnancy side effect your body still hasn’t shaken off. If that is the case, you have nothing to worry about; it will only take a couple of days to recover your usual energy levels.
How To Take Care Of Your Physical and Mental Health Post-Abortion
Do you want to ensure a safe and quick post-abortion recovery? These are our most valuable tips for a smooth and efficient post-abortion healing:
Follow Your Doctor’s Guidance
The first and most important rule of post-abortion care is to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. Your healthcare providers and nurses will give you a detailed explanation about the proper follow-up care. They know your case better than anybody, so trust their guidance and don’t neglect their recommendations.
Schedule A Follow-Up Appointment
A routine follow-up consultation is a part of the reproductive health policy for some abortion clinics but not mandatory in others. As professionals, we always recommend women come back for a consultation after they have an abortion (surgical or through the abortion pill) so we can check their progress.
Besides confirming the abortion was successfully terminated, at a follow-up appointment, healthcare professionals can assess your physical and mental health. That way, if there is anything wrong, they can discover it on time and take the necessary measures so you can stay healthy and recover successfully.
Avoid Having Sex Right Away
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to when to have sex after abortion. Medical professionals advise you to wait for a few days or a week, but how long you should wait depends on your situation. Times also vary depending on whether you choose to take the abortion pill or have a surgical procedure.
Why do you have to wait to have sexual relationships? The main reason is to avoid infections. Waiting a few days or weeks will enable your cervix to close, minimizing the risks of catching an infection.
After an abortion, it is normal to experience some vaginal bleeding; some women prefer to wait until the bleeding is over to have sex.
Prioritize A Healthy Diet
Like with any medical intervention, giving your body the essential nutrients it needs to heal and regain strength is crucial for an efficient recovery.
There are no forbidden foods, but we advise you to limit your consumption of alcohol, caffeine, junk food, and spicy food. Instead, opt for anti-inflammatory meals that help your body recover faster and don’t promote extra inflammation.
You will be losing some blood, so make sure to eat iron-rich foods, such as nuts and seeds, legumes, dark leafy green vegetables, red meat, and iron-fortified bread, cereals, and pasta.
Have Enough Rest
We can’t stress enough how crucial it is to rest, both physically and mentally, after having an abortion. Many women feel ready to return to work and return to their daily activities only a day after the procedure. That’s excellent news; however, while you may feel good physically, don’t neglect your mental health.
Some women may need a day or two to stay home, get extra sleep, and rest their bodies. Others may require another type of rest. That can mean slowing down at work, having a relaxing day, hanging with a friend, meditating to calm the mind, or simply not dealing with everyday tasks.
Pay attention to your body and feelings; they will let you know what you need to take care of your mental health post-abortion.
Seek Support If Needed
After an abortion, feelings of sadness and guilt can arise; sometimes, it can be challenging to cope with them on your own. If you feel you need help going through this process or have no one of confidence to talk about it, we recommend you seek post-abortion counseling.
A professional counselor can help you navigate post-abortion emotions in a safe, non-judgmental environment, making your recovery process easier.
Do You Need Help From A Professional Clinic?
Feeling exhausted after the termination of a pregnancy is typical and expected. Extreme fatigue after abortion that doesn’t go away in a few days is not.
If you feel extremely tired and struggle to resume your regular activities, you should schedule a consultation with your primary healthcare provider. The reasons behind extreme fatigue can be physical or emotional; whichever the case, medical professionals can help you overcome it efficiently.
Are you experiencing extreme fatigue after abortion? Or do you have more questions about the follow-up care? Schedule a call with our clinic; our dedicated staff will gladly guide you on this journey.