How to Manage Bleeding After Abortion Pills?

Understanding the Abortion Pill Process

In a medical abortion, the first step is to take the Mifepristone 200mg orally. It is an antiprogesterone pill that ends the pregnancy by shedding the endometrial. After 24 to 48 hours, administer Misoprostol 800mcg buccally/sublingually/vaginally to expel the pregnancy contents. This second medicine causes uterine contractions and dilates the cervix.

With Mifepristone and Misoprostol, you can safely experience an abortion at home. Some of the expected symptoms of the procedure are heavy vaginal bleeding, abdominal cramps and pain, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, dizziness, tiredness, etc. Out of all these effects, bleeding is a concern for many – what is normal, what isn’t, what is the blood flow like, its duration, and other queries are common among people.

So, in this blog we will discuss how to manage bleeding after abortion pills, and explore this subject closely.

What Kind of Bleeding Is Normal?

It is normal to feel nervous about the bleeding after second medicine if you are unaware of what it is like. That’s why to eliminate the confusion, here is more about what to expect:

· The bleeding usually starts after Misoprostol, within 1 to 4 hours of use. Some may find light spotting after Mifepristone though.

· The bleeding is heaviest in the first 6 hours. You may soak two large pads per hour in this duration. However, thereafter as the uterus starts to empty, the blood flow may reduce.

· The color of blood is dark brown or reddish with small to large blood clots at times.

Practical Ways to Manage Bleeding

Wonder how to manage bleeding after abortion pills yourself? Here are some realistic ways to achieve that:

· Use large sanitary napkins than regular-sized pads. This will help absorb the blood when the flow is heavy. Also, these are better in containing the clots.

· Avoid the use of tampons and menstrual cups, as these are insertable and can irritate the vagina, increasing injury and infection risk.

· While wearing the maxi pads benefit you to keep a close eye on the bleeding to track progress. Even after the first 6 hours, if you soak more than 2 pads in an hour and continue for straight 3 hours, it may be a sign of excessive bleeding.

Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore

While heavy vaginal bleeding is a part of the medication abortion, professional care is necessary in the following instances:

· If you soak two or more maxi pads every hour for two consecutive hours even after a day of Misoprostol use.

· If there is foul-smelling vaginal discharge.

· If you experience fainting spells, extreme dizziness, or lightheadedness.

· If the abdominal cramps and pain are unmanageable even after taking pain-relief meds.

· If the body temperature exceeds 38°C (100.4°F) after a day of taking Misoprostol.

How Long Does Bleeding Last?

The medical abortion procedure takes a few days to complete – which makes many women think how long the abortion bleeding will go on for:

· The bleeding is heavier in the first 24 hours. But it reduces significantly after 24 to 72 hours or when the uterus empties.

· Thereafter in the first bleeding, the heavy bleeding turns to moderate and then lighter flow. In week 2 to 3, the bleeding turns to spotting and is infrequent, and then it stops altogether.

· Most women get their menstrual period within 4 to 8 weeks after a successful pregnancy termination. If there is no period even after 8 weeks, seek a check-up with a doctor.

Emotional Well-Being During Recovery

Beyond how to manage bleeding after abortion pills, is knowing how to care for emotional recovery too:

· It is normal to feel different kinds of emotions during an abortion. Give yourself time to rest and permission to feel things. Do not suppress your feelings.

· To vent out, you may practice journaling or speak to someone you trust – it can be a family member, friend, even a professional counsellor or therapist.

· Take some time off and relax, reconnect with yourself and your goals, coming to terms with the pregnancy termination decision and the journey that is awaiting you.

Helpful Tips for Easier Recovery

Apart from being aware of how to manage bleeding after abortion pills, here are other tips to ensure a faster and fuller recovery:

· Avoid physically tasking activities as it is important to give your body rest for at least a couple of days after pregnancy termination. Also, do not light anything heavy while bleeding.

· During the process, avoid wearing tight clothing as this can worsen cramping and increase discomfort. Wear loose-fitting clothes that are clean, fresh, comfortable, and soft on skin.

· When bleeding, do not penetrate the vagina. Thus, avoid sexual intercourse, douching, or clean on the inside of the vaginal tract manually.

· Dehydration is possible because of vomiting, diarrhea, even blood loss. So, throughout the procedure and after, drink plenty or water, and electrolyte-based drinks.

· Since bleeding happens for quite a lengthy duration, even if the flow reduces after a few days, replenishing hemoglobin levels is possible by adding iron-rich foods to your diet. Look for foods such as beans, lean meats, spinach, etc.

Final Thoughts

Tackling bleeding after abortion pills is all about being aware of the right products for bleeding check to track the progress, following precautions so that there is no unusual bleeding, paying attention for any indicators of complications, as well as things to do for a swift recovery and bleeding management. The above-given information may have helped in this respect. If you have any concerns, you should not hesitate talking with a doctor.