Besides proper rest and taking care of your mental health, what you eat and the foods you avoid after a misoprostol abortion lead you to a faster recovery. In fact, regarding which method you choose to end a pregnancy – abortion pill vs. surgical procedure – being mindful about your diet the following days can greatly support your healing.
Not two recoveries or abortion processes look the same; each body heals at its own speed. Your nutritional diet greatly impacts how fast you recover from an abortion or any major stress your body goes through. Besides following the medical advice from your doctor, this article will give you some useful guidelines about how to use food to your advantage and improve your post-abortion healing.
Misoprostol: what you should know about this medication
Misoprostol is the most popular and effective drug to terminate early pregnancies. What maybe you don’t know is that, generally, this medication is combined with another drug called mifepristone. Those medicines are taken in sequence – first mifepristone and then misoprostol a few hours or days later – to achieve a safe and successful abortion. This method is known as the abortion pill or medication abortion. At an abortion clinic Fort Lauderdale, healthcare providers will guide you during the process – which is usually completed in two weeks. They will advise you about the misoprostol and mifepristone dosing regimen, how to use the pills correctly, and tell you about their pregnancy options resource list.
Misoprostol has been thoroughly studied for its use in early pregnancy termination – you can use the abortion pill up to 11 weeks into the pregnancy – and it has up to 98% efficacy. You can take this medication abortion orally or through vaginal administration. It is advised patients receive counseling from experienced medical professionals about the medication options and dosage. When you use this drug to induce an abortion, you should expect some side effects, such as abdominal pain, cramping, and bleeding up to two weeks after you take the medicine. Healthcare providers will also tell you the importance of taking a sexually transmitted infections test, such as an RPR blood test, before the medication abortion with misoprostol. Doctors will also test you for allergic reactions to this drug and mifepristone.
Can you eat after taking the abortion pill?
You probably have numerous questions and doubts about what to do before and after an abortion. At a clinic, medical experts will address all your concerns and guide you on what you should do after the medication abortion. A common question abortion healthcare providers receive is: can I eat after taking misoprostol? The answer is yes; you never need to stop eating during any part of the procedure. However, sticking to a proper nutritional diet and avoiding certain foods can enhance your recovery.
Why is a proper diet after an abortion so important?
During an abortion, a woman’s body suffers greatly and goes under massive physical stress. And let’s not forget about the emotional stress you will also likely experience. Taking care of your body by resting, as well as nurturing it with what it needs, is a crucial step in your recovery. You also shouldn’t forget about your annual physical exam checklist for females to ensure your body is healing correctly. One of the best self-care tips healthcare professionals can give you for post-abortion recovery is: following a proper nutritional diet the weeks after the medication abortion. Here is why a good diet is so important:
- Regain lost energy: an abortion can take up plenty of your energy, especially if you were far into the pregnancy. Besides that, your body will be working hard to heal itself; you need to replenish the energy to support its hard work. Healthy carbohydrates are one of the best sources of energy. Opt for good carbs such as whole grains instead of desserts or highly-processed foods.
- Recover from blood and fluid loss: it’s normal to experience bleeding for about two weeks after the procedure. How do you recover from all that blood loss? With iron-rich foods. Heavy bleeding can make you weak or anemic, so foods high in iron should become your best friends.
- Promote a smooth recovery: choosing the right foods after an abortion can make the recovery process more pleasant by decreasing some of the side effects of the procedure.
Foods to avoid after taking misoprostol
The foods to avoid after takings misoprostol are as important as the ones to include. Why? Because certain food groups can increase the pain and side effects of having a medication abortion. Generally speaking, you should try to avoid all dietary habits that usually cause constipation or inflammation. Constipation can cause unnecessary stress to your stomach area, leading to more abdominal pain and a less comfortable recovery. And inflammation can potentially delay your healing and provoke extra pain. These are the foods you should stay away from while recovering from an abortion:
- Refined carbs and high sugars: sweets, desserts, pastries, and prepared food usually have a low fiber and fluid content, while they are high in unhealthy fats. Drinking plenty of fluids and an adequate fiber intake is crucial to avoid constipation.
- Processes meat: processed meats, especially red meat, are high in saturated fats and can cause inflammation in the fat tissues. Red meat also contains little fiber, which adds bulk to your stools leading to constipation.
- Junk foods: are you used to eating or buying food on the go? We recommend trying to quit fast and junk food during the weeks following the abortion. Those ready-made foods are high in salt and fat contents which promote inflammation and impede a smooth recovery.
- Coffee: caffeine can potentially lead to dehydration if you don’t drink enough water. Dehydration is one of the most common causes of constipation. Remember that you can find caffeine in coffee, teas, sodas, and energy drinks.
Can you drink alcohol after taking Misoprostol abortion pills?
Alcohol is on the list of beverages and foods to avoid after taking misoprostol. Frequent alcohol consumption is one of the main reasons why individuals get constipated. Drinking too much alcohol increases the amount of fluid you lose through urine, which leads to dehydration. Poor hydration increases your chances of getting constipated. Besides that, alcohol promotes bloating, which often leads to irritation and inflammation.
You must stick to clear drinks such as water, fruit juices, and decaffeinated teas. Drink plenty of water daily to ensure you stay hydrated and avoid constipation.
Contact us
Following your doctor’s recommendations is crucial for a smooth post-abortion recovery. You can do many things to help your body heal faster and more smoothly. Knowing what foods to avoid after taking misoprostol, for example, can make your recovery journey more pleasant by decreasing some uncomfortable side effects. Do you still have questions about what to do after your medication abortion? Do you want to know what to do if the abortion pill didn’t work? Our healthcare providers can answer all your questions. Come by our abortion clinic or contact us so we can assist you better.